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26 Replies Last post: Jan 9, 2008 10:49 AM by lhmesa

Allowing employees to work from home

Dec 19, 2007 10:48 AM

netdebut 37 posts since
Dec 19, 2007

Hi everyone,

I'm new to this forum and this will be my first post of many. I started up an online company a while ago and will be launching the business soon. What I'd like to do is be able to allow my empoloyees to work from home. The advantages, to me, greatly outweighs the disadvantages.

Such as:

1) more time with family
2) no traffic
3) no uniform/clothing issues
4) no parking problems
5) no more being late
6) unlimited breaks and more freedom

There's a whole lot more and the details of achieving these without loss of productivity and the such is kept secret on my side. I just wanted to know what others may think about running a business this way. I may end up with just 5 employees to begin with but shouldn't need no more than 25 employees (world-wide) at our peak. Our revenue potential is well over $10 million a year. Is it still a good idea to stick with this plan or should I think about building offices and require people to go there to work?

Thanks guys,
Kevin Lam

Tags: work, from, home, time, with, family Report as inappropriate

DomainDiva 1,732 posts since
Oct 10, 2007

1. Re: Allowing employees to work from home Dec 19, 2007 11:12 AM

I manage my technology start up on http://www.basecamphq.com. We have a group in the DFW area, a group in the Huntington Beach Ca area and then web hosting and code in Angels Camp CA, 1.5 hrs from Sacremento. A central 'point' is very important, BaseCamp provides this.

Virtual office does work. The important thing is to have accountability and project management which BaseCamp does very well at a reasonable price...get the Campfire chat module as well for online meetings that are saved so you can go back and review!

However...facetime is soooo important. Every 3-4 months we have our face time in the DFW area and I make various trips to meet personally with code and design. If some of your team members are in one geographical location I would suggest a weekly Starbucks gathering perhaps on Friday morning...gives everyone a chance to report on the weeks business and a way to plan for the next week. You will eventually have to make the rounds and meet all team members. Schedule your face time with a global group as you need to ....but make sure that when they are hired..that you meet them fact to face...teleconference or whatever...they need to have something visual to go with.

When you do go global you may want to consider a yearly meeting in one of the global locations....

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Techie 46 posts since
Jul 29, 2007

2. Re: Allowing employees to work from home Dec 19, 2007 11:18 AM

My partners and I have a software company with 10 employees. We first worked from home, but as we started generating revenue we rented an office space in a top notch address for our industry. However, we continue to work from home today very productively with the exception of when we are meeting with existing or potential clients then we go into the office. The office we have is rather modest, but with access to much larger "shared" facilities such as a high tech conference room, etc. As a young company it's important that your potential clients see that the company is stable vs. "working out of your garage." this image is esp. important if you are trying to attract Fortune 500 companies as clients. Some companies maybe more opened, but others will want to visit you before signing a contract - and thus you will need an actual physical location. Depending on your industry, there could be a preferred city or even street, that gives you more prestige if you have office space there. You may want to consider that if you do opt to have a physical location.

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netdebut 37 posts since
Dec 19, 2007

3. Re: Allowing employees to work from home Dec 19, 2007 11:37 AM

in response to: DomainDiva

Hi Domain Diva,

Thank you for the great advice. We are actually going to develop our own communication system but thanks for the suggestions. I can probably look there for some inspirations and if they already have what we need, then there's no need to build our own.

I did already consider the face-to-face meetings and traveling around to meet the employees and even have those that I hire pretty close to each other so they could meet as well.

It's funny you mention DFW, I'm originally from there and I can't wait to move back this summer. I'm actually running the company while still in the Navy. I just returned from a 6-month deployment on Sunday so it's nice to be home again.

Thanks again,
Kevin

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netdebut 37 posts since
Dec 19, 2007

4. Re: Allowing employees to work from home Dec 19, 2007 11:40 AM

in response to: Techie

Hi Techie,

You've also provided a lot of great advice. Thank you for that. I think I will go ahead and get an actual office just to hold a meeting with clients and the such. I really think that's a great idea even though I plan on running my business from home as I would want all of my employees. I will probably pick out offices for them as well so they could meet with potential clients in those areas.

Best Regards,
Kevin

By the way, our site is http://fairadsnetwork.com - I can't wait to launch it.

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CorpCons08 1,128 posts since
Nov 14, 2007

5. Re: Allowing employees to work from home Dec 19, 2007 11:47 AM

You know netdebut, I believe that many times allowing employees to work from home provides good morale and better work performance. You just have to keep on top of operations to make sure the job is getting done. I allow a few of my consultants to operate out of their home because we do not have a day care service, and many of them cannot afford the professional day care services in Manhattan. They do just as good a job as they would in my office location.

CC08

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LUCKIEST 7,938 posts since
Aug 6, 2007

6. Re: Allowing employees to work from home Dec 19, 2007 11:51 AM

Netdebut, Welcome to this site. You will get great answers.
As DD said "
Virtual office does work". It is important to have a Business Plan in place and also an Employees Handbook that the employees who work from home understand and follow.
All of the advantages that you listed for working from home are true, as long as the work gets done..
As you said "productivity" is the key.
As you grow, you can always revive your plans and make the necessary changes.
Stick with this plan now, and think about building offices
as you need them.
LUCKIEST

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netdebut 37 posts since
Dec 19, 2007

7. Re: Allowing employees to work from home Dec 19, 2007 12:13 PM

in response to: LUCKIEST

Hey Luckiest and CC08,

Thanks for the added advice. Yes, I will make sure there is an employee handbook and business plan, development/project management and other programs set in place to make sure productivity will still be at its peak. These are things I've thought of a long time while deployed out at sea for the past 6 months. I need to get with a business attorney and go over my plans to make sure they are all legal and legitimate before persuing.

I'm really excited about this and hope I am making the right choices. I am out of the Navy in about 7 months and I cannot afford to make the wrong ones. I have a wife who's due February 1st. Anything could happen, but I know I can trust my gut instincts and be successful. I just have to remind myself that if I was able to make enough money and buy a house for my parents when I was 19, I can do this. If I could advance all the way to the rank of petty officer 2nd class in the Navy without studying one bit, I can do this.

Thanks for all the encouragements and advice guys (and girls).

Sincerely,
Kevin Lam

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CorpCons08 1,128 posts since
Nov 14, 2007

8. Re: Allowing employees to work from home Dec 19, 2007 12:28 PM

in response to: netdebut

Kevin,

It is always an exciting time, just make sure you think things through and you will be fine.
Best wishes to you and yours this holiday season.

CC08

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DomainDiva 1,732 posts since
Oct 10, 2007

9. Re: Allowing employees to work from home Dec 19, 2007 2:42 PM

in response to: netdebut

Kevin, I just visited your website. WOW. Being the "domaindiva' of our application I have no clue how to work the internet ad thing, but I have two marketing people that do. Your application seems to be a tool that we will be able to utilize. My email and contact info are on my profile.... lets get together when you get home with one of my salespeople.

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netdebut 37 posts since
Dec 19, 2007

10. Re: Allowing employees to work from home Dec 19, 2007 3:16 PM

in response to: DomainDiva

Hi Grace,

Technically, I'm already home (where ever my wife is, that's my home, lol). Are you talking about home in Texas? I'll still be in SC for another 7 months. Our launch would be in March and we are getting lots of partnership offers from other advertising firms and agencies. I will not be doing any type of traveling for business relationships until November. I had to turn one company in particular down, who is worth over $1 billion, because I want to already be out of the Navy, back in Texas with a home, settled in and my family are ready for me to leave the house.

If you are interested in using the services my business provide, all the tools are already there. Not all of our services are up and running so you are welcome to wait until we launch. If you have questions, just use the help desk and someone will get back to you in a timely manner. The FAQ and pages on the site will provide a lot of information, however, there is still a lot more that will be revealed on launch. There are some programs and systems we must get a patent before revealing so please bare with us.

Thanks,
Kevin

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DomainDiva 1,732 posts since
Oct 10, 2007

11. Re: Allowing employees to work from home Dec 19, 2007 3:30 PM

in response to: netdebut

Kevein, I have turned my people onto the website. We are planning to launch sometime early fall late summer. We dont have to meet up right away....do you have a patent attorney? There are two that I use....let me know if you would like the info.

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netdebut 37 posts since
Dec 19, 2007

12. Re: Allowing employees to work from home Dec 19, 2007 6:00 PM

in response to: DomainDiva

Hi Grace,

Next fall will be a great time to use our services since we will be doing a lot of promotions. I didn't think you'd need so many patent attorneys, lol, but sure, would be interested in getting their contact info.

Kevin

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merchant1 15 posts since
Dec 19, 2007

13. Re: Allowing employees to work from home Dec 19, 2007 11:31 PM

I personally can't work from home. I tried it a few years ago and just can't get motivated. I need an office environment or be out calling on clients. I feed off of other peoples energy in the office. I guess it really depends on the person but for me it doesn't work.

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Lighthouse24 2,396 posts since
Oct 10, 2007

14. Re: Allowing employees to work from home Dec 20, 2007 1:21 AM

I have (and strongly encourage) employees and contractors who work from home.

The only thing I can add to what's already been posted is this: I lease "executive office" space in our base cities. These provide a physical address in a prestigious location, a receptionist with call/mail handling services, T1 communications, a shared conference room, and one or two private offices that are available for employees who need to meet with clients or each other.

We own one building and lease three more for other business purposes (e.g., assembly/production, warehouse, training center) -- but for just pure office space, I have found that when employees work from home, leverage technology, and utilize the executive offices when needed, it provides the most flexible and cost-effective solution for us.

Hope this helps. Best wishes.

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