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GROWING NUMBER OF WORKERS FIND
HOME IS WHERE THE OFFICE IS!
GROWING NUMBER OF WORKERS FIND
HOME IS WHERE THE OFFICE IS!
Torrance, CA (11-1-96)--Last year, 37.5 million Americans felt right at home commuting to work. For these liberated professionals, “commute” meant strolling down the hall to a spare bedroom, den or kitchen space converted into a home office.
IDC/LINK, a New York City-based market research firm, estimates that nearly 29 million people now have full or part-time home-based businesses, while another 8.6 million telecommute from home for their employers. By the year 2000, the same home office work force is expected to swell to 53 million.
“Home office workers are finding big payoffs in terms of no commute, more time for family, and the ability to work flexible hours without a dress code or office politics,” said Stephen Knuth, president of CASIO PHONEMATE
, a leading manufacturer of telecommunications products. “With the price of computers and other consumer electronics equipment dropping, its easier and more affordable than ever to set up an efficient home office.”Nearly any type of business can be done from home. But while an architect may require a drafting table and a photographer may need camera equipment, one thing all home office workers need is to be accessible to clients, vendors and co-workers.
“Being readily available is critical because current and potential clients need to know that even though you work from home, you still run a professional business and are easy to reach,” said Miles Kapper, who has operated his North Hollywood, Calif.-based business, LA Presents, from a converted den for the past 12 years.
“My cordless phone and answering machine are the lifelines of my business,” added Kapper, who stages new product introductions and sales meetings for major corporations. “Even though I’m often on the road, I’m never out of touch with clients because I check my answering machine remotely for messages and then return calls promptly.”
Answering machines with individual mailboxes, such as CASIO PHONEMATE’
s all-digital Model 9300,help home office workers project a professional image by providing one mailbox for business calls, the second for personal messages or additional information, and the third for other household members.
For example, the outgoing message on the main mailbox might say, “You’ve reached Michael’s Photography Studio. To reach Michael or anyone else in the office, please leave a message at the tone. For information about our photography workshops, press *2. To leave a message for anyone else in the Moore household, press *3.”
Callers that press the designated numbers would then hear personalized outgoing messages. The unit even serves as a message file by letting users forward messages from one mailbox to another for future reference.
Cordless phones are another indispensable home office tool, providing the mobility to retrieve a document in another room or check on the kids while conversing with a client or associate.
CASIO PHONEMATE’s
Model CP-725cordless phone even helps home office workers screen calls while off -- and on -- the phone. The CP-725 combines a 25-channel cordless phone with Caller ID and call waiting display, allowing users who subscribe to these services to quickly and easily see the names and phone numbers of incoming callers.
For example, a home office worker who hears a call waiting tone while conversing with a client can quickly glance at the LCD display on the handset to see who’s trying to get through. They can then determine whether they want to speak with that caller now, or phone back later.
Likewise, workers concentrating on an important project can screen calls even before their separate answering machine picks up just by looking at the display on the
CP-725 handset. In addition to displaying the names and phone numbers of incoming calls, the CP-725 stores this information automatically for up to 25 callers -- even those that hang up after a few rings.In addition to an answering machine and cordless phone, those thinking of setting up an efficient home office should consider investing in the following:
· Personal Computer -- Look for speed, memory capacity, color and if you travel often, portability.
· Software -- Word-processing software for written projects and spreadsheet programs for budget tracking are must-haves for most businesses.
· Modem -- A modem will let you send and receive electronic mail from clients and others, as well as drive the information superhighway for market research.
· Printer -- Choose a high quality printer for professional looking documents.
· FAX -- A facsimile machine will let you transmit written documents in a matter of seconds, and many also serve as copiers.
Finally, don’t forget to surround your new office with all the comforts of home. A playpen in one corner, and a stereo in the other? Why not. Now, you’re calling the shots.
CASIO PHONEMATE INC.
P.O. Box 2914, Torrance, California 90509-2914
20665 Manhattan Place, Torrance, California 90501
(310) 618-9910 . FAX (310) 212-6316