Poll: Stuck at home? How many home workers are here?

[Markjcj]

No vote for me either, I also have a disability and I'm a single parent to boot, so finding appropriate employment is difficult to say the least.

I've found that these forums are a good way to communicate with a range of people who I would never otherwise talk to.

 

[Lee404notfound]

Originally posted by PsiFox
Work from home with my other half running two companies.
Have done so for five and a half years now and still enjoy it.

PsiFox

what business do you run from home? is it easily done?? you guys need to give some help and advice to me and the others who cant get out to work. i feel so useless not being able to work especially with my missus working too many hours to support me.

 

[F'devil]

I work from home doing several internet based ventures, however my main task is working for a mobile entertainment company.
I've worked at home for over a year now and on ballance the advantages outweigh the disadvantages i'd say.

Folk

 

[UncleBob]

When I went self-employed I started out working from home, but found it too distracting and decided to get an office instead.

I've also found thay having my own office also makes it easier to close deals, so presumably it shows clients I am more committed to the business (and serious about the work) than I would be if I worked from the back bedroom.

 

[AlienSlof]

Been working from home as a freelance artist, 'playing' Photoshop now for over 10 years and still going strong. Times have been both prosperous and tough, but it still beats working all day, every day for someone else! When work is a bit sparce I keep myself busy with various things, writing my book, working on my case mod, doing things around the house, etc. I'm never, ever bored - I don't know what boredom is - I always have so many things I want to do.

Motivation can be hard especially if it's a job I don't fancy, but what makes me do it is the fact it has to be done, whether or not, I won't get paid if I don't, plus my excellent reputation would drop if I didn't produce, and on time. Luckily, I'm not a lazy person particularly, so I do it and enjoy the money when it comes in!

 

[2blue4u]

Motivation is a major problem for me. I find it a little easier now that we get the post delivered at around 9 o'clock. There was a time when it would arrive anytime between about 10 and 1 o'clock. I used to sit around doing naff all waiting for the post. Awaiting inspiration! Not that there wasn't anything else to do as there was. It's just that I like to see the size and content of the postbag so that I can better plan the day ahead. The postal service here was so bad that, a few years back when we used to get a second delivery, the seconds would arrive before the first delivery. Another RM roundsman would complete his round and pick up the seconds and still make it here before our usual postie managed to show up.

Three or maybe four years ago I considered starting a web site with forums dedicated to home workers, particularly the self-employed. It was intended to be a mix of social chat and an information sharing resource. Like many ideas of mine I never got around to it then didn't have the time. Then I discovered OcUK!! Maybe the GDC can become the home-workers help forum?

Anyone know a good tax lawyer

 

[Slime101]

I do both - i'm working part time in a design office 2 days a week supposidly inbetween uni, but now thats finishing its just part time work. I also do freelance work tho and for that most part i work from home - like many others have said motivation can be a big problem and it is certianly more lonely than being in the office.

Its a tricky one but with the 2 jobs i am doing its a nice balance, the stable, guarenteed income, friendly office job - and the less predictable, better paid when working, flexible freedom of the freelance.

 

[taliesyn]

Originally posted by 2blue4u
Motivation is a major problem for me. I find it a little easier now that we get the post delivered at around 9 o'clock.

We're lucky, we get the post delivered about 7.30am, with one blip about 3 weeks ago when it didn't turn up until about 1pm for a few days.

The postman had just decided to start his route at the complete opposite end of town for no reason whatsoever. When we pointed out to him that we needed the post as early as possible, we've not had any problems since.

I'm also someone who needs to see the post before I decide what to do during the day. I really hate waiting for post

Motivation is definitely the biggest factor you need to consider if a) you're working for yourself and b) you're working from home.

It can sometimes be a real strain starting work when you know you don't *have* to.

 

[2blue4u]

Maybe the answer is to close the forums between 9 and 5.








Nah! Forget I said that

 

[iam]

Originally posted by 2blue4u
Motivation is a major problem for me. I find it a little easier now that we get the post delivered at around 9 o'clock. There was a time when it would arrive anytime between about 10 and 1 o'clock. I used to sit around doing naff all waiting for the post. Awaiting inspiration! Not that there wasn't anything else to do as there was. It's just that I like to see the size and content of the postbag so that I can better plan the day ahead. The postal service here was so bad that, a few years back when we used to get a second delivery, the seconds would arrive before the first delivery. Another RM roundsman would complete his round and pick up the seconds and still make it here before our usual postie managed to show up.

Three or maybe four years ago I considered starting a web site with forums dedicated to home workers, particularly the self-employed. It was intended to be a mix of social chat and an information sharing resource. Like many ideas of mine I never got around to it then didn't have the time. Then I discovered OcUK!! Maybe the GDC can become the home-workers help forum?

Anyone know a good tax lawyer

I know exactly what you mean - I have stupid things like that where I shall simply not start work until I have received a certain e-mail etc - I really do need a lot of pressure for me to get motivated.

Usually my old man ringing to say that the business is going to go down the pan if I don't sort that bunch of invoices out works

 

[:: cmckay ::]

I started working from home about 6mths ago designing websites and I found it very very hard to get the motivation, I would see myself getting a long lie in and then working from about 2pm onwards untill late that night.

Now ive stopped designing sites and its all turned to being very lazy! What type of businesses do you all run from home???

Chris

 

[Balrog]

Having been an employee for more years than I care to think about. I took the money, ran from my blue chip employer and (after a period of bumming round the Caribbean on boats) set up at home as a consultant engineer. After the house rule of shut study door was established, I really enjoyed it, having the flexibility to work the hours I wanted and being directly rewarded for the effort I put in.

3 years later I was getting to the point where the novelty had worn off and workloads were dragging me all over the place. Mostly I had far too much work but occasionally zip. I had met other self-employed engineers in the course of my work and eventually teamed up with one of them. It worked well, leveling out the peaks & troughs whilst doubling the client base in one stroke.

Now two and a half years later, we’re employing 6 draughtsmen in our offices plus a further 10 out on client’s sites and I’m becoming an office slave again. Did I do the right thing? You betcha.
Subject to commitments with clients, I can take whatever time off I want, work what hours I want, I’m making double what I was and as for job security, well turnover would have to drop by 90% before I’m out the door.
Whilst I’ve only own half of the business, I don’t think I would have been able to expand to anywhere near the current size without a partner, I was too busy firefighting. Would I recommend it to others. Yes, just make sure you choose the right partner!

 

[taliesyn]

Originally posted by Lee404notfound
what business do you run from home? is it easily done?? you guys need to give some help and advice to me and the others who cant get out to work. i feel so useless not being able to work especially with my missus working too many hours to support me.

Unfortunately it's not easy at all. I think that working for yourself, especially at home, is one of the most difficult things you can do. You have so many things to take into consideration, VAT, Tax, Company documents, cashflow, PAYE, current work, new contracts and so on. It's certainly no picnic.

If you're an employee, you can largely ignore most of the above, but when you run your own company, you've got to do it.

I certainly had no idea as to the difficulty and complexity until I actually did it, and you can count on absolutely no support from anywhere.

Most of these local development agencies and the like are absolutely useless. They have no idea about business at all, and they are not interested unless you are a huge Japanese company that's going to employ 300 people, pocket a huge grant and a free factory, and then bugger off after a year with the proceeds complaining about lack of business.

Best bit of advice for you though. Get a good accountant.

 

[F'devil]

Originally posted by taliesyn
Unfortunately it's not easy at all. I think that working for yourself, especially at home, is one of the most difficult things you can do. You have so many things to take into consideration, VAT, Tax, Company documents, cashflow, PAYE, current work, new contracts and so on. It's certainly no picnic.

If you're an employee, you can largely ignore most of the above, but when you run your own company, you've got to do it.

Which is why it pays to be an employee that works from home!

 

[Balrog]

Originally posted by taliesyn
Best bit of advice for you though. Get a good accountant.

Yes, very good advice there m8 but the're only part of the team. Don't rely on them 100%, they can steer you up a blind alley. It's only you that knows the full details and potential of your business. Accountants only get to see one part of it, they don't understand the technical side and can't devote all their time to one client.

I have found that kicking ideas around with friends over a bottle or two to be very productive. You've got be prepared to be fully open with them and they, frank with you, so don't pick the wrong people. Once you've got a rational idea, then take it to your accountant and get him to check it out from the perspective of finance, tax, legislation etc. The biggest waste of space IMHO is the bank busness advisor who's given loads of advice but probably never done it for real in his life.

 

[Balrog]

Originally posted by Lee404notfound
you guys need to give some help and advice to me and the others who cant get out to work.

I believe the best way to start out is to come up with an idea that involves minimal capital outlay. It doesn't have to be original, there are thousands of shop keepers for example all making their crust. I can't help you with the specific idea, it depends on your skill set, aptitude etc but most importantly interest. As Taliesyn said, motivation can be an issue. If its something you just love doing then it helps a lot.

Don't get involved with huge overdrafts, loans etc, you'll become a bank slave. Probably something where you are initially selling your expertise and time rather than investing in materials, stock etc, then if it all goes pear shaped you just bale out and try something different without loosing your shirt, it's only your time you've lost. Tackle small defined peices of work at first otherwise you've got £thousands of work in progress. Warning, if you sell to other companies, don't expect to get paid for 2 or 3 months no matter what the law relating to small business says.

 

[UncleBob]

Get a good accountant and see about going limited. By accepting a minimum wage and supplementing it with dividends you can substantially reduce your tax and NI contributions at the moment.

Warning, if you sell to other companies, don't expect to get paid for 2 or 3 months no matter what the law relating to small business says.

Very true. Ideally, you should also have enough dosh set aside to allow you to survive without any income from the business for the first 3 months or so.

 

[taliesyn]

Originally posted by Balrog
The biggest waste of space IMHO is the bank busness advisor who's given loads of advice but probably never done it for real in his life.

I would agree 100% with this. Total wasters one and all.

My bank has had 3 different advisers in the past 3 months and they are all equally clueless. Thank goodness I never ask them anything

 

[PsiFox]

Originally posted by Lee404notfound
what business do you run from home? is it easily done?? you guys need to give some help and advice to me and the others who cant get out to work. i feel so useless not being able to work especially with my missus working too many hours to support me.

Been running a web design Company and out of that has grown an Hardware / Software consultancy. The latter we do some of the grunt work but sub- contract the areas we don't want to get directly involved in.

The hardest problem you may find is the motivational aspect and/or the financial.
If you are a one man outfit you have no one else to motivate you. This is also a problem as when you are working on one job you cannot be actively marketing your company, therefore the work come in bits and pieces rather than steadily. As I said I am fortunate that I have my other half and we support each other. I suppose we must be compatible as we spend all of our time together except for business meetings.

One thing that you might find useful if you do setup a business is an organisation called BNI (Business Network International). We are both members of different chapters as they are called. It is a modern version of the "old boys club". and the other members act as an extra sales force for your business. Only 1 membership from each class of business is accepted. They meet once a week for breakfast at around 6.30 AM in order not to interrrupt the working day. It costs about £480.00 in year 1, less in year 2. In the 3 months we have been members the IT consultancy has made about £4,000 with the web design about £3,000 and an additional £15,000 currently awaiting confirmation of proposals, in the last month alone. This is in addition to our normal income.

A survey earlier this year of a group of northern chapters showed that on average membership generates around £26,000 p.a. per memberSome companies can get orders worth hundreds of thousands of pounds.

Link

http://www.bni-europe.com/uk/

Hope this helps

Happy to post more when I can if required.

PsiFox

 

[2blue4u]

A very good friend of mine has told me of his own experiences with BNI in the Kent area. Funnily enough, I was thinking about this only yesterday and meant to do some more research. Thanks for the link.

Has anyone here any experience of this or any similar groupings?