Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

It seems that many of us here at the SUN community work from home, either the basement, bedroom etc.

There is a question that rises as to what should be the dress code while working from home? I`ll go even further and ask does the way a person dress have an affect on productivity?Does working in pajamas create for the worker a lazy atmosphere?

I have a friend who works from his basement, he doesn`t see anybody and his only contact with costumers is either by phone or by e-mail. Although, before work every morning he shaves, showers, polishes his shoes and wears a tie and nice respectable clothing and at the end of the day he cleans,vacums clears off his desk and doesnt leave anything laying around. I asked him the other day why he goes through that whole routine every day? he doesn`t see anyone! He answered me that the discipline a person needs when working from home starts from the very minor things like polishing your shoes and shaving. Just like the discipline in the military starts from polishing and shaving and cleaning all the minor things.

When I go downstairs to work, I like to get all dressed up as if I am going to work in some major company in the City. My day starts at 9:00, Lunch is at 12:30 work ends at 5:00pm. Is it hard? It sure is. who likes discipline!. But I know that this is the only way I can get to where I want to go in life, as for me the discipline starts from the very minor things.

So whats your dress code?

 

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http://www.eranavital.com Gold and Diamond HandCrafted Wedding Bands, Bridal Jewelry and Fashion Jewelry.

I always treat my business as a professional organization, so even at home, I dress as though I will be meeting with clients (business casual, mostly).

However, if I know that I will not be out and about, I may don sweatpants and a hooded sweatshirt, just in case I need to go for an impromptu walk with Abby, my pug.

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Scott Watson.::.

Acme Data Online Backup Service     

Don`t Wait Until It Is Too Late To Recover Your Data

Some people have a separate room, with a door, that`s their office. It`s an aid to discipline. So I suppose other folks would use business clothing the same way? As for me, one of the major benefits of working from home is I can wear whatever I feel like. When I start working, I just get all caught up in it regardless of the time or the clothes.

I have a home office and I have found that I am more productive when I am dressed for work. The days when I work in my PJ`s and slippers are the days when i am least likely to get things done. I have no idea why this is...it just is.

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Sharon Murphy
Owner
Northwoods State of Mind, Inc.
NorthWoods

I worked at home for a short while. I pretty much just worked in whatever I felt like. Pajamas, jeans... whatever. It didn`t seem to affect my productivity. But I did find that I tended to leave my "office" cleaner at the end of the day if I was dressed in something nicer. Strange, because now I dress up everyday and my desk is a bomb  (there`s a method to the madness though. I know where everything is!)

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When a friend comes to me and says that his home business isnt going so well, the first thing I ask him "What is the working atmosphere that you create for yourself in your home office?"  

Sometimes its just not the marketing efforts that are going wrong, sometimes its not about where am I going to spend the next 100$ for advertising .Every once in a while in our home businesses we need to take a huge step back and look around - Is this room proper for an office? Is working in my pj`s causing me to take more naps[they are only 10 minutes...]? Maybe I need to be more organized!? 

I personaly find it a pleasure doing business with people who are organized. When dealing with other working from homers, one can always tell over the phone who has created a proffesional business atmosphere in there home and who has not. When you call someone and in the backround you hear the dog barking, the wife yelling at the kids and the conversation is  going something like this:

"Hey John its Eranavital... Do you have those papers ready for me? Oh sure Eranavital one sec! [he is looking for them....] Hey Eranavital give me 2 more minutes I know their here somewhere!" [2 more minutes pass and it sounds like the big bang in the backround] ....    I am sure ya`ll understand what I mean.

 

 

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http://www.eranavital.com Gold and Diamond HandCrafted Wedding Bands, Bridal Jewelry and Fashion Jewelry.

I go to an office every day dressed business casual but I do have the option to work at home from time to time. I`m just not as productive when I work from home but usually I`m in my PJ`s or sweats. Maybe wearing work clothes is the motivation I need. I`ll give it a try next time.

I usually don`t bother faking it for a client ... they know they are calling my cell phone and I very well may be talking to them from Kinko`s. Or if you call in the morning, my 1yo is singing in the background. It is what it is.

I know a lot of people suggest these things for the home business ... but the problem is that when I have a limited number of hours, spending an hour of my work day cleaning, organizing, showering, doing my hair, whatever ... it`s a waste. Plus, most of my work gets done between 8 pm and 2 am, when I`m probably looking my unfreshiest. I can`t afford to wear my "nice clothes" every day so I reserve those for events. (Just what I need is toddler handprints on my nice skirts anyway.)

I find that when I am excited and full of ideas, which I usually am right when the baby goes down for her nap and the work day starts, I can`t stop for things like shuffling papers ... I need to ride the wave and get everything done before I lose the thought!

I will say that I am pretty good with things in my head anyway ... if a client calls, I can give them an exact rundown of what is going on with their project off the top of my head. I do this by reviewing all of my current projects every night before bed, a la this tip.

Nikole,

You are open and honest about who you are and what you do. Therefore if anybody calls you, they shouldn`t be surprised if they hear a baby squeal (but let`s hope it`s not too  long.). I don`t think your clients are trying to imagine if you`re in your pajamas. They`re just happy working with the professional intelligent person you are. 

Of course a baby squealing or a dog barking probably isn`t good for most businesses.  But as far as being professional by the way you dress, I think if you need to dress the part, to do the part, you should.  That being said, I love taking advantage of wearing sweats when working at home.  My customers do not hear that in my emails, or on the phone! Thank goodness.

Oh, one more thing.  Amazingly, I do feel, (if not more so) just as proffesional and motivated as I did in a jacket, skirt and nylons as I do in my jammies or sweats.  Only because I am at home, and can do the same job.  But I will put the skirt, the jacket and nylons on to look the part, if I have to go out to meet you.