Yahoo recently caused a stir by bucking the trend and ordering all of its work at home employees to start working from a Yahoo office or find a new job!
So that may be a bit harsh, but the argument was that more creativity and productivity is increased by employees working in a central office.
We did a post last year about the expected future of home working: The future will be a virtual office... and boss...
But do you think with the way attitudes are changing, and the need to cut costs that business is more approachable to the idea of homeworking and decentralised workforces?
We have an office in a business centre, with great facilities and utilise shared reception, board rooms etc, but also utilise and are big believers in outsourcing and VA's. I like the focus and professionalism an office brings, but also more than sold on the efficiency and resource saving by using outsourcing, although can't imagine not having an office, so we try and do the best of both worlds.
I've noticed though that recently, meeting with other businesses that any stigma remaining with non office based businesses seems to have vanished, and some companies even use it as a selling point, ie lower overheads, cheaper, more flexible. Has anyone else noticed this?
Do you run your business from home, or are you happy to use suppliers who you know are home based? Or do you prefer a bigger company image with premises you can visit?
I could work from home if I wanted to, and just pop into the office for appointments, see to mail, etc..... However i'd be far less productive and not really in "work mode" at home, in the same way I am at the office. I would also say that having an office rather than being known to work from home, does bring more business....people take you and your business more seriously, especially at a corporate level. indizine indizine
I agree with the above, working from home could have its advantages and disadvantages. Like being easily distracted and not getting into 'work mode' as mentioned. Then you could argue with the fact some people feel more comfortable in their own homes and are able to concentrate more because of that. I personally think working in an office enviroment helps more than working from home for me. Slough Business
Due to the specific type of business, we can work from home, the question is more like "Do you feel like working from home"  I cannot (just don`t fee comfortable) to work from home - in my office, I know i work, in my home - I have a rest Fixed Fee Legal Services | Bespoke Document Drafting | Document Templates
“Due to the specific type of business, we can work from home, the question is more like "Do you feel like working from home" ”I'm the same as you, and would get nothing done at home! But do you think you would lose credibility in the eyes of potential partners or suppliers if you decided to become home based, or do you think its a non issue, with the availability of virtual offices, hot desks and meeting rooms? I tend to agree with Indizine that people take you more seriously being office based, but that seems to go against what other businesses are saying who I've been talking to recently, who are established firms and not start ups. Interesting to see the difference of opinions.
The problem I find working from home is, is that I get too much rabbit in the ear from the other half non stop yakking. "Oh you never guess who I bumped into the other day?" "I popped over to see so and so yesterday and they said" "When are you going to tidy the garage up?" "And what about the loft conversion?" I rent some space from a plumbers merchant, it works out really well.... Too many distractions working from home... Thanks, Barney
I would say that its about personal taste and preference and the type of business you are in? I mean, I work as a VA, but I am behind the scenes. Communication with my bosses are an email away, and I actually have an office regardless. Even if I was not behind the scenes, I still don't think that working from home is an issue. Sure, you need an office to build a company image, but that can also be worked on regardless of where you are. I get that most of the time, being at home means relaxing and being at work means working. But I am almost constantly in work mode lol. Truth be told, I feel its a matter of adjustment. When I started out in the work force I actually went to a brick and mortar business. (Nursing, retail, management etc.). I had my girls and in the beginning found it easy to bounce between work and home, but realized that most times, my girls preferred me being at home (over weekends). I also felt that a lot of the time, they didn't really do well in their daycare centers. yet, at home, I could easily teach them to do things. I have two extremely gifted daughters that tend to need a certain amount of attention for them to do well in..... otherwise. I guess that's just me being a mom. In any case, I started working for a recruiter in the UK, and in the beginning it was a huge adjustment. Being online during the day at home, and not having to make arrangements for my girls etc. It was hard to get myself focused enough to do what I needed to do. In the end though, I started to adjust and its second nature to me. I would probably go through the same adjustment if I had to work in an office at work again. Having Yahoo bring their workers back to their offices could also be an extremely clever way to cull their workforce. Those that cannot make it to an office would then be let go and it would cut costs for them without any unnecessary legal complications. I will always remain "pro work at home", but it would be nice to be able to be in the office to interact with my bosses and live up to my title as trainee tea lady some days lol. Thanks, Dreamraven
I agree, i think i also depends on the type of buisness and what suits you. I guess if your more behind the scenes then it shouldnt matter wether your working from home.. or in an office. Slough Business
The biggest problem I have found with working from home is that sixteen hour days become the norm! Pamela
“The biggest problem I have found with working from home is that sixteen hour days become the norm!” I haven't gone through that yet (touch wood). I just have cut offs during the day, and when my girls are home from school, that is when I stop entirely. Then I help them with homework, deal with any errant housework and then we all relax together. Even though some days its right in front of the PC again. I guess a person just needs to put together a timetable and be honest with themselves. Knowing they will be able to do something, and be able to walk away from the PC when the time comes Thanks, Dreamraven |
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