2011 March

It’s All in How You Communicate

March 30, 2011 By Lisa Leave a Comment

Guest post by Karen Cortell Reisman, MS

To build your confidence as a communicator, use a method I’ve dubbed “C – O – D”. Usually, those letters stand for “Cash on Delivery.” That is exactly what happens when you communicate clearly because you will sell yourself.

The “C” stands for Content — substantive information; “O” means Organization — speaking by design; and, “D” is for Delivery — pizzazz without angst.

Content – Say Something Worth Saying
Having evaluated over 6,000 presentations, the best communicators are those that contain the K, A, and C Factors.

“K” stands for Knowledge. You speak more comfortably, with greater vocal variety, and with heightened enthusiasm when you talk about what you know. In other words, stick to your area of expertise. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Making money from home, Working with clients Tagged With: How to communicate, Karen Cortell Reisman, public speaking

All Dressed Up: Big Plans for a Small Office

March 28, 2011 By Lisa 2 Comments

Two years ago, Steve Reilly, a home-based architect and the founder of SLR Architecture, traded his home office for a nursery when his second child was born. He needed a new place to work. Faced with a choice between commuting to an office and paying $1,500 to $2,000 per month, or creating his own place to work, he chose the latter.

While Steve created his new home office — a small building in his backyard — he considered a few factors including how much space he truly needed, how he would build it and what materials he would use. Budget was also an important part of the equation. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Balancing home/office Life, Home office design, Home office organizing, Home office setup Tagged With: creating a small home office, SLR Architecture, Steve Reilly, working from home

Disorganized? No Problem…You’re Still Doing Something Right

March 25, 2011 By Lisa Leave a Comment

I’ve made a career out of helping people organize their home offices, make better use of time and avoid the pitfalls of working from home. Some home office professionals I meet are very organized, while others are so frustrated about the way their home office looks, they work in their kitchen or family room instead.

Last week, I gave a seminar to an incredible group of business owners and after the session I spoke to a few of the attendees.

One woman stood out.

She waited until everyone had left the room and then sheepishly admitted to me that her home office was a disaster. She was ashamed, upset and convinced she was a failure. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Balancing home/office Life, Home office organizing Tagged With: Home office, Home office organizing, working from home

How to Write a Book: 8 Easy Steps to Get it Done Quickly!

March 23, 2011 By Lisa 2 Comments

During the past 17 years, I’ve written five books. Two books were published by major publishers, two were published by a small press and one I published through my publishing company.

I’ve lost track of how many times people have told me that they wish they could write a book. What they don’t realize is that they can. As with anything, the hardest part is getting started.

In today’s guest post, au thor Stephanie Chandler breaks down the process of writing a book into eight simple steps.

Guest post by Stephanie Chandler

Studies show that up to 80% of people have considered writing a book. And while this may sound [Read more...]

Filed Under: Making money from home, Working at home Tagged With: how to write a book, publishing, Stephanie Chandler

Living With Less

March 21, 2011 By Lisa Leave a Comment

A few days ago I helped my parents move back into the house I grew up in — it caught on fire last fall. Fortunately they weren’t home at the time, but their neighbor who called 911 right away, was.

Seven fire trucks later, their fire was out and my parents moved to a condo for five months.

Over three days, the movers, my parents and I unpacked around 200 boxes. We were wiped.

As I was unpacking, I couldn’t understand how could two people could have collected so much stuff. Then I remembered that my parents have lived in the same house for 47 years.

Opening box after box taught me a few things including:

1. You can live with less. During the time my parents lived in the condo, they were able to get by with much less than they did when they lived in their home. Think about it…what could you live without? [Read more...]

Filed Under: Home office organizing, Home office setup, Working at home Tagged With: Home office fire, living with less

How to See New Ideas Clearly

March 16, 2011 By Lisa Leave a Comment

Some people can think of one idea after another without any problem. Others, like me, have to work harder to be creative. Most of the time my brainstorming involves chocolate, but not everyone needs Godiva to get inspired.

Linda Cotter is a perfect example. As the founder of Delightful Purpose, she works with clients to help them discover their [Read more...]

Filed Under: Home office design, Time mgmt./Productivity, Working at home Tagged With: Delightful Purpose, Home Office Tips, Linda Cotter

The Naked Truth…Everyone Has a Story

March 14, 2011 By Lisa Leave a Comment

Last week, my business coach and I talked about building online relationships. He told me that I was full of tips — I’m pretty sure the word he used was tips — but that no one really knows my back-story.

He has a good point.

Everyone has a story about how they are the way they are, how they started their business and even how they met their friends or spouse. Some people share that information on their blogs, and some don’t.

I guess I fall into the don’t category. Instead, I share articles to help you improve the way you work from home.

So today, rather than share how-to tips about home office life, I’m starting a new feature called “The Naked Truth.” [Read more...]

Filed Under: Balancing home/office Life, Working at home, Working with clients Tagged With: The Naked Truth, working from home

5 Things to Look for in a Desk

March 7, 2011 By Lisa Leave a Comment

This Pottery Barn desk makes good use of a corner.

A desk is a desk is a desk, right? Not so fast…and not so much.

My L-shape desk (a desk with a return) is better than any desk I ever used in the corporate world. It has two deep file drawers, extra drawers for supplies and a pullout keyboard drawer that I use to hold paper. It not only looks good, it works well for me too.

Your desk may take up too much room in your home office (the bruises on your thighs from running into it are a sure sign) or it may be so small that when you put a card [Read more...]

Filed Under: Home office products, Working at home Tagged With: Home office furniture, Home Office Tips, working from home

A Few Things to Avoid When You Work From Home

March 2, 2011 By Lisa 2 Comments

My older son has had braces for almost two years, so I’ve spent my fair share of time in his orthodontist’s waiting room.

The waiting room has the softest, most comfortable sofa I’ve ever sat on. The problem is that I usually fall asleep while I’m waiting for my son to come out of an appointment. It doesn’t matter whether or not I’ve had a good night’s sleep…a few minutes after I rest my head against the sofa, I’m out.

Now when I take him to the ortho, I avoid the sofa and sit on a side chair instead. That way I can work a little and avoid snoring in front of strangers. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Balancing home/office Life, Working at home Tagged With: Home Office Tips, Things to avoid when work from home