The laundry list

A home office should be set up to function like a traditional office. Everything the advisor can accomplish in a corporate office should be doable in a home office, too. To make that happen, senior advisors who decide to work from home should think about all of the amenities they will need. The following list is a guide to the items one needs to be a home-based professional and can be found at www.home-based-business-specialist.com:

• Computer. Make sure it is up to date; a laptop can serve as an office’s main computer and can go on the road.
• Printer
• Fax
• Business phone line, with conference call capability
• High-speed Internet connection
• Filing system
• Desk
• Chair. Home-workspace expert Neal Zimmerman says a good chair may be the most important piece of equipment in the office.
• Web site. Paying for professional design and hosting is usually worth the cost.
• Home-based business insurance
• Contact management software

Certain advisors may be able to get away with less, while some may see this list as the tip of the iceberg. One thing is certain: The space needs to say, “Professional.”