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| Here at HuntOffice you will find all you need to know about Working
from Home The introduction of successful remote working at a company level under normal circumstances takes time, structures, policies and a considered approach so you may need a steer on where to start. Going remote is not just about software tools, policies and practices. It is about your mental approach and attitude to the situation. You will need to test and trial practices; you will definitely need to re-iterate and review and you will continually be improving yourself and your teams operations. From email access and video conference software to collaboration tools, whatever it is you need to use to get your job done. We have created a quick check list to help you, use this checklist to develop a well-rounded yet streamlined list of what you need in your home office. Check the items you absolutely need and circle the items you may eventually want to add to create a prioritized list of your home office essentials. There will certainly be other items you need in your home office, depending on the type of work you do and how much space you have available. If you use this checklist to get started thinking about the essentials, you are on your way to creating a streamlined and efficient home office. |
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Computer and Laptops This will apply to most since very few small business owners who have the ability to work from home can complete their work without a computer. Do your research so you can select a computer that meets your specific needs. You should consider a laptop if you intend to create a mobile office in addition to your home office. |
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Monitor and Accessories You clearly need a monitor if you have a desktop computer, but it can also be useful to have a monitor you plug into your laptop. Depending on the work you do, you may also consider dual monitors. |
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Desk Ideally, you will have space for a traditional desk where you create an ergonomically correct workstation. If you need to get creative, you can make a table, counter or other flat surface work. |
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Chair Take time to select and invest in a comfortable chair; it is one of the most important parts of an efficient home office. Again, ergonomics and comfort count when it comes to sitting, so make sure you test out a chair before making a purchase. |
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Adequate
Lighting Just as a good chair is important for an ergonomic home office, so is having adequate lighting levels. You don't want to deal with headaches and eye strain from squinting or using lighting that makes it hard to read. |
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Telephone and/or VoIP With VoIP technology, Internet-based phone services, and even mobile phones, you may not need a traditional landline telephone, but access to a phone service is usually necessary when working from home. |
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Software Some small business owners simply need access to word processing, spreadsheet, and email management applications, while others need additional software that is specific to their needs. Make a list of the software you will need to run your home office. |
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Network
Router Not always required, a network router can be necessary if you have more than one computer that needs Internet access. Consider a wireless router if you have a laptop and computers located in different parts of your home. |
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Surge Protector Often overlooked, a surge protector should be a staple in any home office that uses computer equipment. |
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Printer or Multipurpose Machine If you have a paperless office, you may be able to get away without having a printer, but there may be situations when you need to scan, fax and even make copies. If this is common in your business, look into multipurpose machines that can manage all of these tasks. |
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Uninterruptible
Power Supply (UPS) A UPS provides backup power for a limited time in case your electricity goes out because UPS can provide you with useful buffer time to save your work and safely shut down your equipment. |
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File Cabinet Even if you aim to be paperless, there are always some hard copy documents you need to hang on to. The best place to store these documents -- and be able to find them later -- is in a file cabinet. |
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Paper Shredder A shredder is a must for destroying sensitive and confidential information in your business. And for every other piece of non-sensitive paper, consider getting a recycling bin. |
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