So many people bemoan the fact that the “good ole days” are gone and we’ve entered the electronic age of business.  However, like it or not, the 21st century business means we’re involved with computers in some form or fashion.

•  You have to compete with people who can shop around the world.
• You generally must use computers in some form or fashion, simply to compete timewise.
• More and more people expect you to have a web site, or at least a blog, even if you don’t sell from it.
• Keeping in contact with others through online groups and social media proves very helpful in spreading news about your business.
• Keeping your records on computer is very helpful.
• Doing your taxes via a computer program, unless you use an independent accountant, proves useful.
• Taking care of inventory on a computer saves a great deal of time.
• Keeping in touch with customers and potential ones by e-mail is practically necessary these days.
• Cell phones and text messaging are taking the place of regular phone communication in many cases.
•  Then you have the BlackBerry and iPhone with their many uses for business.

Have you been able to keep your home business going without modern electronics?  With some businesses it’s still possible, but expansion of your business is almost impossible without some form of modern innovations.

(BlackBerry image at Amazon)

In Jean Murray’s guest post, Working at Home with Your Spouse, she discusses sharing an office with her husband, both of whom work at different businesses. 

What if you and your spouse work at the same home business, as my husband and I do?  As my dad and mom did on their farm?  As my classmate’s parents did operating a country general store?

What problems do you encounter and how do you solve them?

• Both of you are different personalities and may tackle the jobs in your business differently.  It may be a challenge at first to work together, especially if this is something new for you.  However, make a decision that you’ll work through the difficulties.
•  Keep the communication open rather than having intense “I’m right, you’re wrong” discussions or going into a silent mode.
• Don’t argue in front of customers.
• See what you each excell in and concentrate on that. Perhaps one is better at production and the other dealing with customers.  Each focus on your strengths.
• Don’t take a “That’s your job” attitude though and refuse to do a task you think your spouse/partner should do.
• Do whatever it requires to get the task done and keep the business operating.
• Keep on top of finances and discuss financial decisions.
• Develop a sense of humor.

What have been some of your secrets of success when working with a spouse or partner?

(Walls that Speak image at Amazon)

We have a guest post today from Jean Murray, a former blogger at Home Biz Notes and currently the Small Business blogger at Bizzia.  Jean also has a home business and shares an office with her husband. 

Working with Your Spouse

How would you like to work with your spouse, in the same room?  Every day?  Could you do it? Could you do it at home?

 My husband retired from his job of 27 years last June and he immediately started to work for a small company where he is now able to work much of the time from home.  I semi-retired from my full-time work in November, and I am a freelance writer and I run a home-based business. 

 One of my big concerns when I retired was whether we would be able to work together at home.  We have our desks at either end of a large bedroom, but they are still in the same room.  My husband’s work requires him to concentrate, so disruptions are a problem if he is “in the zone.”  If I am concentrating on a writing project, I also don’t like to be interrupted.  So how has it worked?

 Actually, it is working better than I thought.  When we started working together, we sat down and discussed the issues we thought would be problems.  Basically, it works because we treat each other with respect and we don’t intrude on each other’s space or time.  The best part is being able to have lunch together and talk about how things are going.  As you know, working at home can be lonely so having someone to talk to at lunch is helpful.

 The biggest problem is the phones.  I have a cell and a work cell; my husband has a work cell and we have a regular home phone.  If one of our cells rings, we answer and walk out of the room so as not to disturb the other person. 

 It’s those pesky telemarketer calls that drive us both nuts.  We have considered turning the phone off.  I usually answer because the phone is closest to my desk and I can be meaner.  I just say “Take us off your list” and I hang up. 

 So far, we have been able to work out issues, and we both enjoy it.  This week, my husband is working at his office, and we both miss being together.  So we meet for lunch anyway. 

( Jean Murray has an MBA and a PhD in small business management and she has been coaching small business owners for almost 30 years. She is a successful business owner and writer. Learn more about her at Dr. Jean Means Business. )

(Image: sxc.hu)

Much has been written about business dress and often this changes with the times and the type of work you’re doing.  Recently I wrote the post, Dress the “Brand” for your Home Business, which concerned promoting your products/services by the way you dress.

I discovered an interesting post, Walking the Line at Work; Choosing Appropriate Attire, by Bonnie Marcus at Women On Business.  Although Bonnie writes mainly about women and dress in the corporate world, you may find some tips that apply to your home business.  Some of you may operate home business with walk-in customers.  Others may be meeting with people in the corporate world when promoting and carrying out your business.

Dressing appropriately in the business world can be a quandry for many women.  So all the tips we can find may help us in making decisions.

What have you discovered about home business dress?

(Amazon image)

Creative thinking lies at the root of many unique home businesses.  Who would think one could evolve from composting?

 Recently I learned about Megan Kolbay in Vermont (USA), who has developed a business toting her compost and that of others to a community compost collection point or pile.  Apparently first one friend, then another offered to pay Megan to take their compost to the pile, down a dirt road, when she took hers.

 This gave Megan the idea there might be a market for this service.  See…something we’ve mentioned before….find an need and fill it.

 This concept has grown into Earthgirl Composting, Megan’s business whereby she picks up compost curb side for various individuals and businesses in her area. (www.earthgirlcomposting.com )

 What idea(s) do you have for a unique business?  Have you developed one you’d like to tell us about?

(Gaiam image at Amazon)

You may or may not have your home business open during holidays.  If yours is a walk-in shop and there are promotional events going in in your town, you may want to join in and encourage customers to stop by.  In general,  most business probably will be closed so you can work or not.
 If my family doesn’t have special plans, I often use this time to catch up on writing assignments and other business work. 

 I recall Memorial Days of my childhood  when my mom’s family gathered at one relative’s farm (and another’s home for July 4^th.  Some of these family members we saw only this time of year, so this was an occasion we looked forward to.

 Called Decoration Day then, May 30 (the actual date for the holiday) was a time when we decorated the graves of military men and women who gave their lives for their country’s freedom or had fought in some of the wars.  Usually a veteran’s organization placed flags on the graves, too.  We left flowers on other family members’ graves at that time, as well.

In the town where we live, there’s a parade where local organizations, schools and military groups participate to honor veterans of today and yesterday. 

 What do you do for Memorial Day?  Is it business or family related?  Perhaps a bit of both.

(Century Novelty Image at Amazon)

“Dress the “brand” for your home business.”  I heard this phrase from a speaker recently when she was describing appropriate dress to promote yourself.  Are you wearing apparel that promotes products and services other than your own?  Or are you wearing something that calls attention to your business?

 You might not be aware when you’re advertising a competitor’s business.  However, when you wear apparel (hat, t-shirt, tie, sweats, shoes) that is inscribed with someone else’s name or logo, you’re actually promoting their brand. 

 So…why not wear something that promotes your brand?

 The speaker was promoting vitamins and nutrition.  To teach her workshop, she dressed in a professional black pantsuit and wore a white t-shirt under her jacket.  Across the front of the t-shirt were the logo and name of the brand she represented.  Or you might wear a shirt or t-shirt with the name and logo on the pocket, not bold and blasting, but there.

 Why wear a t-shirt, jacket, hat with another company’s name when you can wear your own?  “But they’re not competitors, only a sports clothing manufacturer,” you say.

 However, you’re still promoting their brand when you could be promoting your own.  If you don’t have a logo or brand design, consider developing one.

 Consider how you can create a brand you can wear.  Companies like Café Press will produce apparel with your logo and brand emblazoned.  Some ideas:

•  Logo on cap
• Logo on t-shirt
• Name on sweat shirt
• Name on notebook you use
• Name/logo on notepaper
• Name/logo on jacket

Have you developed a logo you’re using or could use on apparel and other items?  I’ve been considering how to create one for my writing/blogging business.

Jean Murray, who has blogged here at Home Biz Notes, both as a guest blogger and regular blogger, now writes about Small Business at Bizzia.  She recently published an excellent post about the pros and cons of starting a home business.

Very often, when someone thinks of expanding their hobby into an income producing venture or starting a home business entirely new, they consider only the thrill of working for themselves.  They fail to look at the downside of a home business.  Yes, there are downsides, as well as the advantages of working from home and setting a somewhat flexible schedule.

What have you discovered regarding the pros and cons of a home business?

(Image: sxc.hu)

 Many authors offer free e-books to help promote their writing and themselves.  These are of various lengths and formats.  Some even have been prepared as CDs.  (Other businesses can do the same.)

 Promotional e-books may include:

• An excerpt from a current book
• A complete small book that enhances a current book
• An extension of a current book
• A compilation of work by various authors
• A collection of recipes from authors

 I’ve been involved in a number of these promotional projects and found them thoroughly enjoyable.  I haven’t used the promotional possibilities to the fullest, but know they’re ongoing.

 E-Cookbooks

 I’ve participated in two cookbooks coordinated by Kathleen (Katy) Walls, founder and president of Global Authors Publications (GAP) and author of numerous regional books and novels. 

 Cooking By the Book – This was the first e-cookbook and how I met Katy.  Each author contributed  recipes that tied in with one of more or their books.  We described our books and wrote a brief bio. 

 Wild About Florida Cookbook is Katy’s current project to promote her regional “Wild Florida” travel books.  Even though I don’t have a book set in Florida, my recipe for CORN BREAD is a generic one that could have been made by cooks there and currently is.  I referred to my story, “Sarah Jane’s Daring Deed,” a popular one in my children’s anthology, Tales of Adventure & Discovery.  I’m also in the process of making this story into a picture book.

 Both free e-cookbooks are available to view and download at this link on Katy’s site.  We don’t charge for these books.  It could become complicated when so many authors are involved. 

Have you ever done any promotion of this type?  I’d enjoy having you share with us.

(Book Cover Credit Kathleen & Martin Walls)

These books aren’t for any specific business.  Yet they’re helpful in developing customer relations, organizing your affairs, working with employees, and developing a great attitude.  I keep going back and reading them.

 What books have you found helpful and interesting?

1. Go for No!
2. Ten Powerful Phrases for Positive People
3. Lincoln on Leadership
4. Mission: Success!
5. Imaging: The Powerful Way to Change Your Life
6. Google Blogger for Dummies
7. The Secret
8. Think and Grow Rich
9. Patton’s Principles
10. The Magic of Thinking Big
11. A Better Way to Live
12. Just Ask! Success Can Be as Simple as Asking the Right Questions
13. 10 Secrets for Success and Inner Peace

Have you read any of these?  Do you have any to add to the list?