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Interacting with clients while running a home-based business has been complicated by the pandemic. Thankfully, a few technological advances have made adjusting to the new normal a little easier for small and big companies alike. We’ve gathered a few tips to get your office ready for communicating with your clients, both in real life and over the internet:
Preparing for In-Person Meetings
Keep safety in mind when clients are coming to your home office. If masks are recommended in your area, keep a box of disposable masks on a table or credenza by the door, along with a bottle of hand sanitizer. Keep an adequate supply of pens at your clients’ disposal, with a separate container for “used” writing implements to be sanitized–or disposed of–later. And when you decide on a layout for your office furniture, make sure that you and your clients can sit at a safe distance from each other while you’re conducting business.
Indoor air quality is important both for you and for your clients. If possible, open the windows in your office to let fresh air circulate. Check your HVAC system regularly, and if you want to really sanitize the air you breathe, invest in an HVAC UV light: its rays are powerful enough to kill viruses and bacteria and prevent mold from forming, making your work environment healthier. You can also add a few houseplants to your office décor to further purify the air. Good options are snake plants, peace lilies, and bamboo palms.
Automate your invoicing process for contact-free delivery. By using invoicing software, you’ll be able to manage and process payments electronically and generate reports to easily track your finances. You’ll also be able to automatically send payment reminders to your clients while simplifying your accounting. So create a unique, eye-catching label for your business using an online label maker, design professional-looking invoices using an invoice template specifically tailored to your business, and add your logo to the invoice to make your brand stand out.
Staging Your Virtual Meetings
Even if your clients don’t come to your office for in-person meetings, make sure to stage your work area to make it look professional. If your desk is set up in a corner of your living room or bedroom, invest in tall bookshelves or attractive room dividers to create a real office-like atmosphere. Incidentally, designing a space in your home solely with working and conducting business in mind will help you avoid distractions and boost your productivity.
Make use of video conferencing software to help you look your best: turn on your computer camera or webcam and see for yourself what your clients will see during business calls. Start by adjusting the lighting in your office, avoiding bright lights (or windows) behind you. Center yourself on the screen, and use a virtual background if the backdrop in your home or office is too busy, messy, or cluttered, which can be visually distracting for your clients on the other side of that video conference call.
Reduce noise pollution in your workspace to make audio and video conferencing calls more pleasant and professional. If you live on a busy street or if you have children at home during your office hours, soundproof your office by sealing the windows (or replacing them with double-pane options) and by hanging curtains that will further reduce noise. Position furniture to block off sounds from a nearby room, and lay down area rugs to dampen sound.
Taking
a few precautions in your home-based business will allow you to receive clients
safely during and after the pandemic. Take advantage of newer technologies like
video conferencing and invoicing software that allows for contactless
communication and transactions: your clients will be grateful for your
thoughtfulness and appreciate your professionalism.
Have a Wonderful Day!
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