Why Australian Entrepreneurs Prefer a Home Office
We have more than our fair share of entrepreneurs Down Under and with rising costs impacting every industry, it is no surprise that small business owners save money by setting up an office at home. It might be the spare room, the garage or even a granny flat and in this short blog, we look at the many benefits a home office brings the entrepreneur.
Huge savings
Have you tried leasing office space in the Sydney CBD? The prices are shocking and thanks to technology, you can use a prestigious CBD address but have your office at home! Thanks to digital tech, you can rent an exclusive business address and a virtual receptionist can handle all incoming calls, transferring callers to your mobile number.
Setting up your home office
You will need certain pieces of IT hardware, such as a good UPS battery, a wireless router, printer/scanner/copier and a powerful desktop PC. Acquire a solid desk/table large enough to house all your hardware and you should invest in an executive office chair, which allows you to work for long periods without getting a backache. Vertical blinds give you good lighting control and a few positive quotes in frames, hung on the walls.
No travelling to the office
Add up the time you waste when driving to and from the office and you’ll see a lot of hours that could be spent on productive things. There is no better set-up than a home office and today’s digital tech allows you to do just that! Don’t make the mistake of thinking that you can work in the lounge or kitchen; you need a separate space where you are not distracted by the family activities.
Container modular offices
There are companies that customise old sea containers and all you need is a concrete base with utility connections and your new office can be lowered by crane. If you have a granny flat in the garden, this would make for a perfect office as it is separated from the house and you can keep business stuff apart from your domestic life.
Cloud data storage
The benefits of cloud data storage are indeed many; you can access the data from any location and with automatic backup, you can free up your office hard drive space. If, for example, you are on your way to pitch a potential client and you suddenly realise you don’t have a key presentation, you can boot up your laptop and download the file instantly.
Digitalise all paperwork
Why not switch to a paperless office by digitalising all documents and storing them on the cloud? You only need one small filing cabinet to store originals; the rest are uploaded to your secure cloud network. One critical piece of IT hardware you will need is a combination of scanner, copier and printer to scan and copy all documentation.
Tax benefits
Ask any accountant and they will confirm that you can add a lot of home expenses to your list of tax deductibles. The expert can help you add home costs to your tax return and you will get a pleasant surprise at the end of the financial year. You can boost your income with these office tips.
Simplify your life
By blending your domestic and business life, you can direct all of your energy into the business; you can maintain a professional business image thanks to digital tech. Virtual office services are amazing and they empower the small business owner immensely, allowing you to project a winning image.
Keep running costs down
When you operate your business from home, your running costs are very low; no rent to pay and aside from utilities, there are no more expenses to pay regarding your office. Even when a small business develops to the point where they could lease an office, most entrepreneurs remain at home because it is so convenient.
Register your business
You should apply online to obtain your ABN (Australian Business Number) and business registration can be completed online. We hope the information in this short blog helps you to set up a productive business in your home.
