The convenience of a home office can't be denied - achieving maximum productivity with no frustrating commute to start and end your workday, and the tools of your trade always right at your fingertips.
But home-based doesn't have to mean "small potatoes." Thanks to today's affordable technology tools, it's easier than ever to establish a highly professional image. Here are four must-have investments that can pay big dividends for your small business:
A dedicated business phone line with voice mail. "You've reached the home of Susan, Bill, and Bill Jr., and the office of Smith Consulting." Not exactly a confidence-builder, is it?
A dedicated business phone line makes it easy to separate your business and personal lives. No more being caught off guard if a client in a different time zone calls during dinner hour on the East Coast. And, by including voicemail in your business phone package, you're assured that customers will never hear an unprofessional busy signal, or the annoying click of call waiting when you're in the middle of a tough negotiation. Incoming calls roll right to voicemail whenever you're on the line.
A simple, informative website. Regardless of what you're selling, an online presence plays an integral role in building professional credibility. It's also the first place a potential client, investor, or strategic partner is likely to go to do his or her homework on your firm - and to decide if you're worth doing business with.
In addition to basic, benefit-oriented information about your company - the services you provide and how they help potential customers - be sure to include useful how-to tips, industry articles, and material to educate prospects while showcasing your unique expertise.
A company-branded email address. Along with your website should come an email address that reinforces your brand every time you hit "send" - not Yahoo, Gmail or AOL.
With the ease of setting up a customized address, YourCompany@aol.com is no longer acceptable among serious business people - especially if you send frequent attachments. AOL's proprietary formatting tends to scramble even the simplest attachment when you're sending a message to a non-AOL recipient. Why take the chance that a customer who uses Outlook, for example, won't be able to view a critical document you've just sent...like a contract?
The latest software. It's embarrassing to tell a customer you can't open the document they sent because you're using outdated software. Yes, keeping current can be expensive, but so is losing an account because a client views your business as "behind the times."
By reinforcing your professional business image with these simple technology tools, you're sending a significant message to customers, prospects, and referral sources - that you're serious about the growth of your business, and ready to invest in its success.
But home-based doesn't have to mean "small potatoes." Thanks to today's affordable technology tools, it's easier than ever to establish a highly professional image. Here are four must-have investments that can pay big dividends for your small business:
A dedicated business phone line with voice mail. "You've reached the home of Susan, Bill, and Bill Jr., and the office of Smith Consulting." Not exactly a confidence-builder, is it?
A dedicated business phone line makes it easy to separate your business and personal lives. No more being caught off guard if a client in a different time zone calls during dinner hour on the East Coast. And, by including voicemail in your business phone package, you're assured that customers will never hear an unprofessional busy signal, or the annoying click of call waiting when you're in the middle of a tough negotiation. Incoming calls roll right to voicemail whenever you're on the line.
A simple, informative website. Regardless of what you're selling, an online presence plays an integral role in building professional credibility. It's also the first place a potential client, investor, or strategic partner is likely to go to do his or her homework on your firm - and to decide if you're worth doing business with.
In addition to basic, benefit-oriented information about your company - the services you provide and how they help potential customers - be sure to include useful how-to tips, industry articles, and material to educate prospects while showcasing your unique expertise.
A company-branded email address. Along with your website should come an email address that reinforces your brand every time you hit "send" - not Yahoo, Gmail or AOL.
With the ease of setting up a customized address, YourCompany@aol.com is no longer acceptable among serious business people - especially if you send frequent attachments. AOL's proprietary formatting tends to scramble even the simplest attachment when you're sending a message to a non-AOL recipient. Why take the chance that a customer who uses Outlook, for example, won't be able to view a critical document you've just sent...like a contract?
The latest software. It's embarrassing to tell a customer you can't open the document they sent because you're using outdated software. Yes, keeping current can be expensive, but so is losing an account because a client views your business as "behind the times."
By reinforcing your professional business image with these simple technology tools, you're sending a significant message to customers, prospects, and referral sources - that you're serious about the growth of your business, and ready to invest in its success.
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