So you've decided to set up your own business. You're following the same route taken by thousands of new entrepreneurs each day. You've settled on your business idea, designed a marketing strategy and are looking forward to a bright future. Did you stop at any point and think about how your home office should be designed? What type of office setup do you need? Most entrepreneurs have their offices at home. Do you evenhave space for an office at home? The purpose of the following two articles is not to give you a blow-by-blow plan of how to set up your home office but more to give you tips and advice that'll save you time, heartbreak and money. Your Desk
Newspaper ads years ago were filled with adverts stating "start a business from your kitchen table". While in theory (and in bad advertising) this is fine operating your business from a kitchen tables is entirely unpractical. A good home office desk is functional, sturdy and has a clear, flat worktop. You've seen those office desks that are filled with drawers, shelves, keyboard trays and tons of other nooks and crannies. Firstly this type of desk looks fine in a catalogue but is far smaller when you actually build it. Secondly all those drawers and shelves only give you more places to lose stuff. Keep your desk simple. The ideal home office desk has a large, flat working area with at least one deep drawer for storing files and another shallow drawer for storing pens, paper and other consumables. Ideally the desk should also be L shaped. This allows you to place your work around you as opposed to constantly having to stretch and reach for different items. The L shaped desk will provide you with a more practical working environment aswell as saving you backpain problems later in life. Your Chair
This is where you're going to be spending a considerable amount of time. Never, ever skimp on your home office chair. It is absolutely essential that you have a good office chair. Many new home business owners make the critical mistake of using a kitchen, spare household or even a garden chair for their home office. This boggles the mind considering the same person probably wouldn't think twice about paying $1,000 for a new computer but won't pay $100 for a quality office chair. Using a cheap chair that doesn't provide proper back and lower limb support can and will lead to lower back and shoulder pain. It can also provoke migraines and other headaches. Poor posture should never be underestimated - it can have far reaching effects. Features you should look for in an office chair: * Adjustable backrest * Swivel base * Adjustable armrest * Adequte lumbar support * Deep cushioned seat A great home office chair can be purchased for as little as $60 brand new. If you're finding yourself strapped for cash then check local auction houses for office clearance items. Other source of "cheap" office chairs are IT firms and call centers. They're constantly having to replace their furniture to meet legal ergonomic requirements. That $200 office chair can often be purchased slightly used for about $20. Your Ergonomic Environment
The 3 key environmental factors in a suitable home working environment are noise, light and heat. Noise
Excessive noise is not only distracting but also debilitating. Prolonged exposure to excessive noise can and will affect your hearing. What counts as excessive noise? Most experts agree that anything over 45 decibels or the equivalent of a really loud office fan is counterproductive to your work. You'll have trouble focusing or thinking clearly for more than a few moments. Your home office needs to be a relatively peaceful environment. You'll do your best thinking, be at your most creative and work most effectively in a quieter office space. Avoid using laundry rooms, TV rooms or other areas with excessively noisy equipment of any kind. Light
You need to be in control of the light in or coming into your office. Light sources that are too bright will cause glare on computer screens and documents. A home office that is too dimly lit will lead to eyestrain and headaches over time. If the area is too dark you'll lean closer to the computer screen and documents to read them thus causing discomfort. Natural light is ideal because it provides diffuse (soft) light. An added bonus is that natural sunlight has a beneficial effect on our physiologies - our bodies produce more "feel good" chemicals when we absorb natural light. Obviously don't put your working area in direct sunlight as it will be far too uncomfortable to work in. Simply arrange your office in such a way as to maximize the benefit of the natural light in your immediate surroundings. If you're a nightowl then simply point your desklamp away from the desk towards a wall behind you. Why? This provides the same type of diffuse light that you'd experience during the day. Adjust the lamp until it provides enough light to read your screen or documents comfortably by. Heat
This is the easy bit. Your home office should be neither too hot nor too cold. Is that stating the obvious? Any extremes of temperature in your home office will lead to decreased work performance. Normal room temperature is 37 degrees celsius (98 degrees Farenheit) so you need to aim for something in that region. If your home office is too cold you won't be able to focus. You'll spend more time being annoyed at being cold than getting any work done. Too much heat and you'll find yourself becoming irritable, lethargic and distinctly uncomfortable. Your body is no different to the engine of a car or a piece of electronics. We all have optimal working temperatures. Otherwise we break down. continued in Part Two |
