This week I’m speaking just to the numerous home based businesses, the overwhelming majority of which are run by women. There are a few ‘essentials’ when working from home – some you may be aware of them but need to reminded again!

A schedule is really important. Even if you are more of a ‘go with the flow’ type of person, you need to ensure that you have times for professional and personal. Make decisions about when you will stop answering business calls – and stick to it!

Wherever possible, have a dedicated office space that you primarily only enter when you are working. It needs to be a place that you want to go. If it doesn’t inspire you or enable you to operate effectively then you won’t be productive.

Write out a plan for running your home based business. Even though you are not a large company, it is still imperative that you have a path to follow and goals you are aiming for. This also helps you to think ‘big’ and stay focused as your business grows.

Use your status as a home based business to your advantage. Promote the fact that you are flexible and can often respond more quickly than larger enterprises that are beholden to company structures and procedures. Think of other advantages that distinguish you and explain that uniqueness clearly in your promotional activities.

The power of technology has dramatically shrunk the gap between micro and large business as far as service provision and you can be a formidable competitor in the world of business!

Michelle Grice writes a weekly column for business women in The Western Weekender