Building a Work at Home Community

A Home Business Article Contributed by Barbara Gibson

The Need for a Work at Home Network

Just because you work at home does not mean that you must work in isolation. Part of your success, in the long run, will be attributable to your willingness to stay abreast of new information and strategies related to your work at home business. There are several sources for this information. In addition to journals and other print media, a network of work at home supporters can help you keep current with research, trends and ideas that affect your business

Think of your network as a resource team. A work at home network can also provide support, encouragement, and an understanding of the particular challenges of working at home. Another benefit of a work at home network, is the cost savings. For example, a group of two or even ten can share bulk office supplies or other expenses to keep costs low.

Building a Work at Home Network

You need not choose only work at home supporters that share your business type. It is most important that you have similar goals and values. Obviously, it is also important that you have a connection that facilitates uncensored communication You will need to be able to talk openly about your challenges, ideas, and successes. Your work at home network should be comprised of people that you know to be trustworthy.

Before you invite anyone to join you in a work at home network, decide what you think is important in a group member. Resolve not to compromise on the most important qualities. Doing so will be counterproductive. Try as you might, you are unlikely to find satisfaction in a network that is not designed around what you know to be important.

Planning Work at Home Network Meetings

Try to set regular meeting times. You should meet at least once each month. Always bring your calendar, and keep meetings brief. Plan your agenda (including strict beginning and ending times) before the meeting to maximize your time together. Topics you might include are: new information (share articles, books or other items of interest), individual challenges to be presented for group discussion, and contacts to share.

Assign a note taker or secretary to record information such as each member's accomplishments since the last meeting, and goals to be accomplished before the next meeting. Ideally, you have a tackled your organizational demons and the possibility that meeting notes will be lost is limited. If a few of you are still working through challenges, entrust your notes to the one least likely to lose them and most likely to remember them for the next meeting.

Discuss ground rules (agree to disagree, etc.) together before the first meeting, and review them as needed.

Finally, it is useful to have an even number of members so that you can pair in teams of two. Each team member should commit to calling his or her team member to check in at least once each week. Again, try to schedule calls so that each person is available to give undivided attention.Think of this time as professional development.Good luck!