From artisans crafting unique products in their basements to authors joining the gig economy, there’s no shortage of entrepreneurial spirit in the United States today. But with over two-thirds of startups beginning at home, how can your young business impress potential clients, partners, and colleagues from the comfort of your house?
Keep It Clean
It goes without saying that if you’re hosting a business meeting at home, you’ll want to make sure that the space you’ll be in is clean and clutter-free. But even if you just vacuumed yesterday, it never hurts to take an extra five minutes to sweep around and pick up any of the odds and ends that inevitably collect: mail, bills, coffee cups. You don’t need to wash the windows before every meeting – but make the effort to wash the dishes and scoop up any paraphernalia that is less than professional.
Tune In, Turn Off
Ever found it hard to concentrate during an office meeting? Imagine how much harder it is at home. Pets, kids, the postman — you name it, it can be a distraction. Try out apps such as Focus Lock, which prevents your using smartphone apps until a pre-set time, preferably after your meeting is over. You’ll also want to properly schedule with family, friends, and roommates to make sure you’re not disturbed. Also, don’t forget to turn off the landline; you don’t need your mom calling halfway through the meeting!
Improve Indoor Air Quality
It sounds unusual, but an extra step you can take to ensure your attendees’ comfort is to pay attention to the air quality and temperature in your home. Overly humid, muggy conditions can slow your concentration. But you also don’t want to freeze people out in an attempt to get them to focus! Modern systems monitor temperatures outside and create the perfect balance of warmth and humidity in your environment, so all your guests need to think about is business.
Leave the Feasting for Later
It’s tempting to go all-out with food and beverage options at home. After all, hosting at home usually means a social engagement. But you mean business, so leave the Instagram impulses at the door and keep it simple. A few healthy options, like fruit and perhaps some flax muffins, will suffice, along with coffee, tea, and plenty of water.
Ace the Agenda
It goes without saying that agendas are crucial to the success of a meeting. But some say a physically printed copy can actually serve to distract, allowing attendees to mentally skip ahead instead of focus. So, consider some new technology to ramp up your at-home hosting. Apps such as Minute let you collaborate in real-time, allocate tasks, and schedule the next session at your fingertips. It beats shuffling papers.
Hosting a business meeting at home can be tricky because it’s not always easy to set up a space that shows off your professional skills. But by keeping a few tips in mind, you can focus on the business at hand, make your guests comfortable, and keep your operation running smoothly.
