The Home Office From Hell is a completely dysfunctional, client-repelling office space in the home that makes one lose money.
As a home-based business owner, you might tell me, “Now, hold on there, buddymy home office isn’t so bad. Sure it’s not ideal and there was that incident with my newborn screaming bloody murder while I was on the phone with London, but my clients know I’m a professional.”
My reply, “Oh, really?” Be realistic-your clients only know what they see and hear from you.
Your competitors are serious and will be more than happy to steal your clients.
WARNING! If any of this sounds even vaguely familiar, you may have a Home Office From Hell. (All of these stories were submitted by real entrepreneurs during our annual Home Office From Hell Contest-so no worries, you aren’t alone.)
Sign 7: “Starbucks is starting to encroach on my profits.” If all of your big meetings are conducted in the Science Fiction section of Barnes and Noble or the local coffee shop, then you have a Home Office From Hell.
Sign 6: “I realized today at 4 p.m. that I was still wearing pajamas.” If your only business conversation is with your cat, and you’ve been locked away in your house un-showered and unshaven for more than a week, then you’ have a Home Office From Hell.
Sign 5: “I could die here and no one would ever know.” If the only reason your business starts to get inquiries is because of a strange odor or a mass of flies, then you have a Home Office From Hell.
Sign 4: “Why did God invent Oprah? How are we supposed to work when Oprah is on?” If you are overwhelmed by the urge watch TV, read books, or play video games in the middle of the business day, then you have a Home Office From Hell.
Sign 3: “No, the baby doesn’t go in the playpen. Important papers go in there so the baby can’t get at them.” If you find yourself wiping peanut butter off your client’s work, picking Cheerios out of your laptop, and chasing the kids around the kitchen while conference-calling Stuttgart, then you have a Home Office From Hell.
Sign 2: “I feel like I live at the Officewait! I do!” If you are taking 4 A.M. phone calls from sleepless clients, or your workday ends two minutes before you drop into bed, then you have a Home Office From Hell. And finally
Sign 1: “Since you’re home all day anyway, I need a favor” If you are driving your friend to the airport, grocery shopping for your mom, or running errands for your neighbors in the middle of your workday, then you have a Home Office From Hell.
Chances are, if you’re reading this, you might have some personal experience with the problems of a home office. At the very least, you suspect there might be room for improvement.
That’s great! Because you can’t create the business of your dreams until you first admit that what you’re doing isn’t working as well as it should.
Viewed 32 times by 19 viewers
