By Vishal P. Rao
Posted Jun. 24, 2004
Anyone that operates a business from home knows
that home-based business security issues often
come up. This is just part and parcel of running
any home-based business.
Realistically, in order
to be successful at a home-based business, a business
owner needs to release their address and phone
number to potential clients or buyers eventually.
Even if this is not done, it is rather easy for
potential clients and buyers to research and discover
the phone number and location of a home-based
business.
Therefore, it can be harrowing
at times, for home-based business owners in the
issues of safety and security, especially if their
home-based business is indeed, in their home,
exposing their family members to security and
safety issues and risks, as well as themselves.
This is not to say that
undue measures should be taken, or that undue
fear should pervade. A home-based business is
really at no more risk of crimes against person
or property than a personal residence or any other
type of business.
Pre-cautionary measures
should however, within normal guidelines be employed,
to prevent any untoward occurrences during the
course of a business day and after office hours.
These measures can include, but should not be
limited to the following:
1. The locking of doors
and windows as is convenient and the implementation
of safety and security devices, even when the
building is occupied. Many home-based business
owners don't feel that they may legitimately keep
the doors and windows "locked", as they
may feel that this will inconvenience their clients.
This is not true, as any visit to a corporate
building will soon prove.
Whenever visitors enter
a corporate structure, they are usually scrutinized
well by cameras, security personnel and other
safety and security methods. As a home-based business
owner, you do have every right to employ locked
doors and windows, and even implement security
cameras and other devices. It is your right under
law, and clients, overall, will understand this.
2. The use of structural
security measures, such as deadbolts, dogs, fencing,
and one-way viewing glass inserted into doors.
Measures such as these are used routinely by homeowners
and a business within a home does not rule out
the use of these deterrents.
3. The use of a separate
phone line for business needs. This is only a
small added expense per month, but when clients
call, no one in a home-based business person's
"family" will inadvertently answer,
thus lending to the belief that the business is
not attached to a personal residence in any way.
4. The use of legitimate
business e-mail addresses. No personal addresses
should be used. If a business address is used,
it leads clients to believe that the business
is larger, with more employees present in the
building.
5. Routine office hours
should be kept. Answering the phone and taking
orders ONLY within set regular business hours
will prevent clients from "showing up on
the doorstep" after certain hours, and will
lend a more professional air to a business.
6. Keeping background noise
down during office hours. Clients are quick to
"pick up" on background noises. On a
professional level, an office should be as quiet
as possible, with no interruptions by "family"
or "friends". This also is a safety
measure, as clients will assume the business is
strictly unattached from the residence if they
sense no background noise.
7. Emergency phone numbers
should be posted in clear view. This includes
fire, police, and other emergency numbers.
8. A system of "check
points" can be established, whereas a friend
or family member can regularly call or enter the
building or home, to determine if all is well.
9. An emergency system needs
to be in place. Any unwanted visitors or unwanted
attentions by others need to be reported completely
and thoroughly to authorities, as soon as these
instances occur. This is especially true if threats
or accusations occur. Business owners do not need
to "put up" with aggression or unwanted
visits by clients.
10. Common sense is the
best detriment to tragedies occurring in a home-based
business. Never open the door to strangers, never
work alone late at night in a deserted area, never
deliver anything late at night to a bad neighborhood,
or otherwise put yourself or your family in jeopardy.
If something doesn't "feel" right, trust
your instincts.
As you can see, running
a business within the home doesn't need to be
fraught by peril. It does require that safety
and security measures are implemented, but this
is true of any type of business. Remember, "safety
first, money later"!
Vishal
P. Rao is the editor of Home Based
Business Opportunities
A website dedicated to opportunities, ideas and resources for
starting a home based business. He also runs the Work at Home
Forum - an online community of folks who work at home.
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