Working From Home – What Way Is Best For You?

What Are The Benefits For People Who Work From Home?

Benefits include:-

• Having more control over your schedule
• Felt more supported by their employers (if working for someone else)
• Spent more time with their families

What Is The Best Work From Home Opportunity For You?

Working From Home For An Employer With Access To Flexible Working Conditions

This will suit an individual who wants to work for someone else.

The benefits of working for someone else include:-

• Consistent wage/salary each week/fortnight/month.
• Taxes and superannuation looked after for you.
• Annual leave/sick leave/long service leave as well as being eligible for whatever benefits that the employer provides.

 
This might not be for you if:-

• You want to work wherever you want.
• A flexible working schedule and work when its suits you, rather than when it suits someone else, is what you are after.
• Working by yourself is your preference.

 
There are a number of benefits for employers to encourage and support you in a flexible working arrangement.

For an employer, these benefits include:-

• Improve customer experience through exercising flexibility in meeting customer needs, when, where and how THEY want to do business.
• Increased engagement, loyalty and retention – people have to ability to are better able to manage both their work and personal life.
• Increased productivity – people can complete their work in the most efficient way with a focus on results, not ‘face time’.
• Greater ability to attract and retain top talent – recognising that ‘work life balance’ is a top 3 driver for candidates.
• Access to untapped talent – e.g. women returning to work, people caring for elderly relatives, remote workers, people with disabilities, older workers.
• Reduced costs
• Improved ability to innovate and connect with customers and other employees through creative use of space and technology.

Working From Home as a Freelancer

A freelancer is someone who is self-employed and provides services for a number of different clients, usually businesses.

Nearly all business services that exist could be done by a freelancer.

Examples of services that are provided by freelancers include:- graphic design, marketing, social media management, blogging and article writing, virtual assistant and accounting service such as bookkeeping.

Benefits of being a freelancer include:-

• It is easy to get started as a freelancer – just work out what skill that you want to sell.
• There is a high demand for business services, so finding your first client will not be hard to do.
• Gives you the ability to work from home, or from whatever location you choose.
• Having the ability to choose who you work for.
• Working by yourself more often than not.

 
A freelancing gig may not be for you if:-

• You work better in a office environment with others.
• Don’t want to look after your owns wages and taxes etc.
• Aren’t prepared to give up work-related benefits such as annual leave, sick leave or long-service leave.
• Don’t have the motivation to get work done or consistently seek out new clients.

Working From Home As An Entrepreneur

Traditionally, starting a business required a large amount of costs upfront to set up a business.

These days, due to the wonderful invention of the internet – it is very easy for almost anyone to set up their own business – even with a small to non-existent budget.

However, it is a huge decision to take the plunge into the world of entrepreneurship or small business – so you need to weigh up both sides to ensure that it really is for you.

Benefits of being an entrepreneur:-

• Gives you the ability to be your own boss and set your own schedule.
• You can work from home or from wherever location that you decide.
• Love a challenge

 
Being an entrepreneur might not be your thing if:-

• You can’t multi-task. An entrepreneur needs to be a Jack(or Jill) of all trades until you are in a position to outsource.
• Predictability is something that you need in your life.
• You don’t have the time to focus on nurturing and growing your business.
• Want a consistent wage/salary.
• You know have an understanding on the types of work from home jobs that are available to you.

 
Once you have decided which one appeals to you the most, you need to sit down and have a think about your family and financial responsibilities, what changes would you need to make to your current lifestyle, and perhaps most importantly what are your goals?

This is not something that is an easy decision, or a decision to take lightly.

It may also require you to start to learn new things.

There are heaps of resources available to help –  SkillShare is an example of a learning platform that can help you get those extra skills to help set you up for success.

Good Luck!!