Business Protocol

Every day, men and women dress for success. What is inappropriate dress for business is directly related to who we want to be doing business with. It's a choice. Some people care less about fashion. They are simply interested in dollars and cents. Today, millions of people work from home and don't take the time to dress for every business call they make.

However, the bulk of business owners find it necessary to dress for - men in suit and tie and women in appropriate office attire. Has the corporate office put a practice into place that eliminates those who are not into office attire?

A survey of 100 small business owners might answer the question "Who is really making more money - those who dress for success or those who cut expenses by doing business from home, while still in their pjs?"

Let's face it, the rising price of dry cleaning, office space, gas and a good lunch could be cause enough for people to withdraw from going into the office. I work from home and manage to attract enough work to pay my living expenses and have a little extra for leisure activities. Who do I speak with on the phone that can see that I'm not dressed to the nines, while negotiating a contract with them that is emailed to me, signed, scanned and returned to them?

Isn't it just cost effective to stay home, drink my own coffee that I pay $5.99 for the whole bag of coffee rather than for one cup at Starbuck's; save the cost of a business phone account that can cost several hundred dollars a month; save on postage by emailing all of my correspondence; save on expensive lunches with clients by hold phone conferences with several of them at one time for up to one hour, when everyone is at their computer taking notes on what's being said?

If you think about it, this is what small business amounts to - working in the comfort of one's home without having to incur the costs of doing business in a corporate environment. But does this make for a non-professional professional?

Not necessarily. There are those days when you must get dressed and go out to meet with clients, vendors and contractors. These meetings usually are welcomed, since most days you are not obligated to put on the ritz for others. You have the freedom to schedule outside meetings two or three in one day so that your not overwhelmed with meetings day after day.

The other upside to working from home is that you don't need to pay high rents, have water bottles delivered, pay an extra set of utilities, such as electricity and phone service. You need only to pay an occupational license that may or may not prohibit you from having clients visit your home. In that instance, you make the outside appointment and that can be one, two or three times a week, leaving the rest of the week for you do carry on business from home.

The trek to and from work is taking its toll on the environment. Working from home saves gallons of gas and oil. It alleviates the painful rush hour congestion for many business owners, who find getting in traffic stifling and incomprehensible. Needless to say, it saves wear and tear on your vehicle, as well.

Long hours may be the drawback, though. People who work from home tend to begin working as soon as they rise, work throughout the day with maybe an hour break, stopping very late at night, causing them to have little time for leisure because they work 10 to 12 hours a day or more! The need to get out of the house may present itself, readily. Taking a walk or a swim early in the day can eliminate the in-house doldrums. At least three days a week should include some kind of exercise program.

Business protocol dictates that a phone call is professional. So, having the volume of the radio, TV, youtube or kids on high can be disturbing to the client that has paid you a retainer for say a website design. Being conscious of background noise is a must, if you're doing business from home.

Calling clients too early or too late or receiving a call from a client too early or too late can be a sticking point. Since 9 to 5 p.m. are normal business hours, it's just sensible to keep your calls coming in and going out during those times. The exception to the rule would be clients with whom you've agreed it's fine to speak with outside of business hours.