Home Office

Tip: Designate one computer as "work only" and use it only for communicating with clients and tasks like managing marketing campaigns. Not only will this practice protect you from accidentally flashing your clients or sending them irrelevant, personal e-mails and attachments, but it will also protect you from accidentally releasing sensitive information that might identify you and make you prey for hungry cyber criminals. Extend the work-only rule even further by setting up an e-mail address and even an IM screen name that you only use with your business pursuits. Getting dressed might also be something to consider, even on a day stripped of the potential of getting caught with your pants down. Work-at-home experts at Apartment Therapy note that there is a psychological reaction to the morning ritual of showering and getting dressed and that what you wear during the day can potentially impact your mood and productivity.

clipped from smallbusiness.aol.com Confessions from a Home Office: Tips for Staying Professional without Getting Dressed Many technology advancements in the last decade have created new work-from-home business opportunities for entrepreneurs and made telecommuting very similar to being at the office for other employees across industries. But it has also opened up the possibilities for business-breaking faux pas, as professionals get casual and comfortable in home offices. A 2009 survey conducted by research firm Kelly, Inc. stated that 25% of the U.S. workforce was self employed as of last January, and 90% of those people willingly chose to become self-employed.