Working from home is more challenging than most people realise, especially if you have to run a business from your home and are responsible for bringing in the profits.
When you run a home-based franchise, you’re faced with a number of new and unique challenges that can hamper your progress. Here are five tips that will help you run the home-based franchise more efficiently:
People love the freedom of working from home because they can set their own schedule, and don’t need to go through a harrowing commute. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to get into the work mindset when you’re at home. Family and friends will also intrude and walk into your workspace. All of these problems can compromise your productivity and have an impact on your business. The best way to avoid this problem is to have a dedicated home office where you can work without interruptions. You’ll also be more productive if you keep your home office separate from your personal and family rooms.
One of the biggest disadvantages of running a franchise business from home is that all hours blur together. It’s not uncommon for people to work well into the night and sacrifice their weekends in order to get things done. When you work for a company or outside your home, you have set office hours. There’s a clear separation between work hours and leisure hours. That’s not the case when you run a business from home. If you set strict business hours and don’t break the habit unless it’s absolutely necessary, you’ll have a better time with your business and won’t be as stressed.
Networking is a very important aspect of running a business. You need to set up ties with suppliers, fellow entrepreneurs, financers, high-profile customers, etc. People who run a franchise business from home often neglect this and limit their venture’s potential. You should attend networking conferences, conventions, trade fairs, and other such events to expand your contacts and get in touch with other people in your industry. This will help you keep up with the latest developments, understand competition, come up with new ideas and strategies, etc.
It’s easier to slack off when you’re at home and are comfortable. It’s also easier to lose track of time and become less productive. If you plan your day and organise all your tasks the night before, you will be able to stay on track. Invest in a planner and schedule all your tasks, including your house chores and other responsibilities carefully. This will help you stay on top of your game and run your business smoothly.
Most people run a home-based franchise because they want to save money or want to spend some time with family. This is very common among new parents who want to be there for their children. However, if you want to succeed and grow, you might need to set up a new office away from your home. You can do this after your child is older or you have more money to invest. It doesn’t have to be big or far away so you can rent a property that’s just a short walk away from your home. A separate property will help you focus better and allow you more room to grow.
If you want to know more about running a franchise business from home or want some advice, feel free to get in touch with us at The Franchise Institute. You can call us on 1300 855 435 or fill in this contact us form and we’ll reply as soon as we can.
Thanks for reading,
The Franchise Institute Team
1300 855 435
