I was talking with a friend of mine recently who does NOT work from home, someone who is happily holding down a traditional job. She asked me an interesting question, however, that got me to thinking about how home businesses are perceived. She asked: “How do people know that you’re a professional operation when you work out of your home? How do they know you’re not just slacking and unprofessional?”
There is still a perceived idea that unless there is an office, a boss, and plenty of meetings—work is not getting done. I can understand that a new customer or client might genuinely be concerned about deadlines and shipments if they are working with just one at-home business proprietor. So, it is up to us to prove that we are as professional as the big conglomerate on the corner—if that is the route we want to take.
As much as I would like to think otherwise, I have to admit that the image of the work-from-home entrepreneur is not one of corporate professionalism. But, I think that can be both a good and a not-so-good thing. Many of my clients come to me because they don’t want to work with someone or something big—they want the flexibility and approachability that a small operation can offer them. We can make up for some of the lack of professional image with outstanding and personalized customer service, but we probably can’t replace or change that image of work-at-home people being less than professional all by ourselves.
There is a great deal we can do as individuals to help counter that image of the work-from-home slacker who can’t get or keep a “normal” job—meeting deadlines, returning calls, keeping regular “office hours” and other topics we cover here on a regular basis can all help build an image of professionalism. While it might not match that of the corporate executive, at least we won’t be seen as unprofessional slackers!
Also: Would Your Customers Call You Dedicated?