Businessman man working from home on his computer and mobile phone
Working from home has become more and more common, whether you work remotely for an employer or own your own business. However, there are special considerations to make when performing your duties and serving your clients from home. Here are some of the most important ways you can adapt to best serve clients when working remotely.
Have Good, Uninterrupted Network Service
You will have a difficult time providing clients services without an uninterrupted Internet connection and clear phone lines. Your available phone lines could include a dedicated landline, mobile phone service or both depending on the needs of your business and your customers. Ensure you are using a service provider that has a strong signal in your area and purchase a plan that will give you the speeds and bandwidth needed in order to do business. There is no best plan and you will simply have to find one that meets your specific needs, though don’t be afraid to switch if your current plan is not cutting it.
Have A Dedicated Office Environment
It is best practice to have a dedicated space at home that you can use for work. Depending on how often you work from home or if you do so primarily, you may choose to have a dedicated home office or simply choose an area in which you can shut yourself inside and work. You can furnish this space however you want so long as it puts you in the right professional mood. This can include utilizing professional furniture such as a custom conference table, installing a dedicated business landline, storing your needed office supplies in that space and more. Let your personality and preferences shine through a bit.
Keep Security In Mind
One of the biggest concerns when it comes to working remotely revolves around the security of customer data, which you will likely be accessed on your devices in order to provide the best customer service. Utilize available security features on your devices and accounts such as complex passwords, two-step authentication, fingerprint recognition and more to prevent unauthorized access. Keep your devices updated to guarantee they will carry the latest security updates. Ensure your Wi-Fi connection is secured behind a strong password as well.
Manage Background Noise
It is very unprofessional to be on a call with clients and have pets or children making noise in the background. You can take steps to prevent this, including explaining to your family that you are not to be disturbed during work, training your pets to be quiet, arranging to work only while your children are at school or keeping the door to your home office shut. If you live in an area with serious background noise, such as near an airport or an active rail line, look into ways you can deaden the sounds or plan calls around them if possible.
You can serve clients while working from home just as well as you can in an office thanks to available technology. All you have to do is make adjustments to create a suitable workspace at home and ensure you have access to the right equipment. You can then enjoy the benefits of working from home while your clients can enjoy a professional experience.
