Successfully working from a home office can be one of the most satisfying endeavors you take on during your professional career. Forbes reported 30 million Americans are working from home at least one day a week. That’s one in five!
You can learn the value of your time and balance your schedule by your own discretion. However, not having a traditional office setting to interact with clients and vendors can be challenging.
Whether you are self-employed or work from home for a corporation, here are three typical ways workers interact with clients and ways to raise the bar for your business!
When E-Mailing
Reading and replying to emails consume many workdays. While it may be tempting to respond to emails during non-work hours, do your best to stick to a defined schedule. Instead of writing back on your smartphone, wait until you begin your workday at your desk.
Raise the bar! Even if no one sees you during your workday, dress up. Look in the mirror. Do your hair. Put on that belt. When you feel the part, professionalism will leak into all areas of your business, including emails.
When Talking
If you frequently take calls or have a conference call scheduled, give the call your full attention. When you are there, be all the way there! Avoid doing laundry, washing dishes, and eating during calls.
Raise the bar! Don’t pace during calls. The breathiness in your voice can make you sound distracted or nervous.
When Face-to-Face
Maybe part of your workday requires meeting with clients. First, do an inventory of your home office setting:
- Are others home during the day?
- How much of my home will clients need to walk through before getting to my office?
- Is getting to and parking at my home simple?
- Do I have any pets that may cause allergies?
After assessing your home office, do your best to accommodate visitors by looking at your home from a visitor’s perspective.
Raise the bar! Do your research to find the best place in the community to meet. Consider, a member’s club, restaurant, hotel, coffee shop, park, or a friend’s office space. Always visit the location before inviting clients. Be aware of the atmosphere, including neighborhood, lighting, clientele, seating, and noise.
It comes down to one thing — doing what you can to make your clients and business connections comfortable. Address them with the professionalism you expect back. Give them your full attention. Accommodate them with pleasant settings to meet. From emailing to meeting face-to-face, paying attention to how you interact with clients during your workday can ensure corporate success for your business endeavors!
