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<title>Latest Telecommuting Articles</title>
<link>http://www.populate.net/</link>
<description>Articles at Populate.NET</description>
<language>en-us</language>
<item>
<title>A Global Business on Your Laptop</title>
<link>http://www.populate.net/Business/Telecommuting/a-global-business-on-your-laptop.html</link>
<guid>http://www.populate.net/Business/Telecommuting/a-global-business-on-your-laptop.html</guid>
<pubDate>Sun, 12 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Entrepreneurs have been portrayed as virtually enslaved to their businesses for decades. They often believe they are unable to go on holiday or take time off because their companies are still becoming established. Any lost time was always certain to result in lost business deals. The available technology today has given the entrepreneur far more personal freedom than business owners of the past.

The Internet and cellular telephones have given the business person an unbelievable amount of personal freedom. You can check your voice mail or your e-mail from nearly every vacation destination in the world. Estimates prove that over 70 percent of business owners remain in contact with their company while on holiday.

There is no denying the fact that business owners often neglect their personal well-being. The unavoidable long hours and daily business worries can quickly take their toll. It's not uncommon for the entrepreneur to start resenting duties and work when it appears there is no available time to take a break.

It's important for the business owner to realize that the company can often function without them for a short period. A week may seem like a dream vacation that is unattainable. A holiday is recommended for those who work the chaotic hours business owners often endure. A survey also states that 59 percent of small business owners are planning at least a week for their vacation despite any economic worries.

It is recommended that everyone have an adequate rest period even if a company is experiencing cash flow issues. Many entrepreneurs accommodate these issues by budgeting their vacation funds or by downsizing vacation plans. Many business owners also wait to take their vacation when they've simply had enough.

The major concerns amid entrepreneurs on vacation are:

* Missed opportunities

* Slacking employees

* Client care

* Equipment breakdown or disrepair

* Security

Technology has made it easy for the small business owner to take a break without feeling guilty or worried. Many of the most beautiful places in the world offer facilities and services tailored to the business owner. Such perks as free Wi-Fi, high speed Internet service and other complimentary technologies allow you to get away with options that offer constant communication should any issue arise.

The largest issue with small business owners and vacation seems to be more of an inability to let go. You may be at a good point in your business and seeing your first examples of great success. This should not interfere with your simple needs and those of your family.

One way of enjoying your time away is to gain an appreciation of how it will benefit your company. You will return full of energy and creativity. The relaxation will give you more zest for productivity. Many business owners also report much success from gaining a new perspective for their company while they are away. ]]></description>
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<title>25 Proven Techniques That Will Help You Learn How To Be Productive Working From Home - Guaranteed!</title>
<link>http://www.populate.net/Business/Telecommuting/25-proven-techniques-that-will-help-you-learn-how-to-be-productive-working-from-home-guaranteed.html</link>
<guid>http://www.populate.net/Business/Telecommuting/25-proven-techniques-that-will-help-you-learn-how-to-be-productive-working-from-home-guaranteed.html</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 14 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ The dream of working from home is one that many people have, yet few know how to go about getting started and making it work! Working from home can save money, increase productivity by reducing stress, and much more. It is very important to remember that when you are working from home you must be just as productive as if you were at the office.

Let's explore some tips to working productively from the comfort of your home:

1. It's very important to make sure that your environment gives you the best frame of mind for whatever you are about to do. Your environment will influence your mood. Some you can not change, some you can. 

2. Keep your door closed. If it's left open your family will be reminded that you are around and can visit.  It is important to be able to focus on your tasks for the day.

3. Prepare for your day by having breakfast, getting a shower and dressed. Always make a list of tasks to complete that day, and then get started!

4. Have regular hours and stick to them.

5. Keep your work area organized. A neat workspace helps you stay productive and not waste time looking for things.

6. If you have a specific task to complete then turn off the telephone and email notifications. In fact, if you can, shut down your internet connection.

7. Never give up; sometimes it just seems you cannot get anything accomplished. Work anyway, get something done, even if it's just making some phone calls or filing some paperwork.

8. It's worth spending a little on a good chair, since you will be spending quite a bit of time using it. 

9. Start your day with a good breakfast, and then spend some time alone to just sit and relax. Avoid starting your day with the wrong frame of mind.

10. To avoid not getting anything done, keep a list of three things to get done that day. Next, have a list of three things that you would like to get done, but are not essential. Last, write down three things that need to be done in the near future.

11. Always have a notepad and pencil nearby. Write down any ideas that would help your business. Post them on a bulletin board. Look at them often to refresh your mind of things that could be done sometime. Some of your best work will come from  
random bits of inspiration.

12. Take a break. Do not lock yourself in your room all day. Give your mind some time to process what it has just done, then come back. You will improve the quality of your work a hundredfold.

13. Drink plenty of water. Try and work up to drinking eight cups a day, if you do not already.

14. Schedule your work hours around your natural schedule. Some people are at their best in the morning, others in the afternoon, still others late at night.

15. When you are done working for the day, stay done. Do not go back to work if you think of something, just write it down as a reminder for tomorrow.

16. Make sure to separate work from home. Set aside a room dedicated to work only (it does not have to be big). That way, once you enter; you know that you are there to work. It changes your state of mind from I am at home to I am at work. 

17. Invest in a good set of sound canceling headphones. This is important if you have children at home.

18. Establish certain days for certain tasks. You could do your filing on Friday afternoon, and make phone calls late in the afternoon when most people are available. 

19. Avoid working late into the night, it's important to know when to stop. You should be running your business, it should not be running you.

20. Stay in touch with your accountant, if you don't have one, get one! It's important to know what you have to spend on your business and how your business is doing. 

21. If someone contacts you, make time for them. Respond to every email. It does not matter how long it takes to get around to it. It doesn't have to be that day. Just make sure you do. It really matters.

22. Keep track of your time. Most of us would be surprised if we knew how much time we spend on work and how much we don't spend on family.

23. Don't eat a big lunch. It's important to have something with good carbs to put you in the mood for the second half of the day.

24. Say thank you. Thank the people who have given their time and resources to helping you get where you are. You owe your life to them. Make sure they know how grateful you are.

25. Be very grateful that you are working from home and not in some tiny cubicle! That gratitude will encourage you to do more and to work harder, so you can continue to work from home.

Working from home can be very challenging. The number of people working from home is growing and is not only here to stay but may just be the wave of the future. 

If quitting your regular job and working from home is where your heart is, then it's in the right place.  Those who Successfully balance their work and family time will find that working from home is very rewarding and can provide a much better lifestyle.

Copyright 2008 Joe Rispoli ]]></description>
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<title>How Coworking is Working in Austin Texas</title>
<link>http://www.populate.net/Business/Telecommuting/how-coworking-is-working-in-austin-texas.html</link>
<guid>http://www.populate.net/Business/Telecommuting/how-coworking-is-working-in-austin-texas.html</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 25 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ There is a cafe and coffee shop circuit in every city that serves as the office for many freelancers, entrepreneurs and off-site workers. You've seen them. They are typing away at their laptops with the focused precision of a brain surgeon. When they come up for air they often are ready for their third or fourth round of espresso or a little chat with their neighboring typist. Then, they are desperately searching for an outlet for their rapidly dying battery. What are these people doing? How can they work to the sounds of frothing cappuccinos and pumping music?

These are the people who fall in between. Cubicle city does not work for them. Nine to five makes them squirm. Yet holing away in their lonely home office is about as appealing as the four meeting workday. Excruciating.

When one is an unofficial member of the cafe circuit one sees many of the same people over and over again. Often, due to deadlines, time constraints or other variables, they tend to keep to themselves even though they desire to be around people. Collaborating is not often the focus.

Finding the perfect balance of atmosphere that they crave with the practical aspects like being able to place or take a phone call is tricky. There is a virtuoso's set of criteria that must be in place for something productive to come out of this environment.

That internal struggle and overwhelming desire to be motivated if not inspired by one's working environment and be round people has created a new business model that is being replicated all over the nation. 

Coworking is its name.  Ithas an additional benefit that takes it to another level. Collaboration with other like minded people. Coworking is not only about the perfect space to work in but it is about the alchemy of combined entrepreneurial pursuits benefiting from open communication with each other. This is an aspect not easily achieved in a hit-or-miss atmosphere like a coffee shop.
There are three spaces slated to open in Austin in 2008.

Launchpad Coworking and Cafe has a crew of dedicated and passionate people designing an environment that may suit a person desiringa well planned and professionally managed community. They are opening in September in downtown Austin. 

Conjunctured is a coworking company that focuses on collaborating in a well thought out but slightly less formal space than Launchpad. They are located in Central East Austin in an older bungalow adapted for its use. It maintains an environment more similar to the quirkiness associated with working in a coffee shop.  They opened on the first day of July.

Soma Vida strives to be a space with wellness in mind. It is an integrated community that focuses on nurturing and support for each other. It is the only coworking space that offers on site childcare. The coworking space opened also on July 1st. It is located in Central East Austin. Their childcare and yoga facilities are set to open on July 15th. ]]></description>
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<title>Could You Test Out Telecommuting?</title>
<link>http://www.populate.net/Business/Telecommuting/could-you-test-out-telecommuting.html</link>
<guid>http://www.populate.net/Business/Telecommuting/could-you-test-out-telecommuting.html</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 03 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Working outside the home is getting more expensive these days. Just look at gas prices. Then think about how eating lunch out is eating into your income. And of course the many other expenses.

Working at home could save you a lot of money. And depending on the kind of job you have, it may not be as impossible as you think.

The first thing to do is to consider if your job is suitable for even partial telecommuting. Many are, many aren't. But telecommuting even one day a week can make a big difference and may be that nudge your employer needs to allow more telecommuting. Show that you can be highly productive from home and you might just be allowed to telecommute more.

That is the catch, of course. It may be a long time before you are telecommuting as much as you would like.

Convincing your current employer that telecommuting is a reasonable alternative has many advantages over starting a home business. You still have a job, for one, and that means somewhat more security than you would have with a home business.

Transitioning to telecommuting also means that if your job has benefits, you're keeping them. No worries about how to get health insurance. You still get paid sick leave and vacations.

You still have a boss, but some people prefer it that way. Depending on the boss that can be an advantage or disadvantage.

If your boss is reluctant to allow telecommuting, offer a bargain. Offer the one day a week and regular reviews. Discuss the distractions you have in the office and how they impact your productivity. Your boss will need to see that you are being significantly more productive at home to really feel that you aren't slacking off somehow.

You'll also need to discuss the times that your employer absolutely needs you in the office. Staff meetings can feel like a waste of time, but odds are they will still want you there and cheerful about it. If you're only home a day or two a week, this shouldn't be a problem.

If you know someone who telecommutes use them as an example of how it works. If not, research it! There are many online resources that can help you find the statistics you need to present telecommuting in a positive light.

And of course be willing to admit it if things just aren't working out. Some people do great telecommuting. Others find out that they really don't enjoy it, that they need the company of their coworkers or it's just too hard to get enough peace and quiet at home. That's just how these things go.

If it works out well, you may be able to push for more time working from home and less time in the office. You'll save money on commuting, eating out, and if you have kids old enough to let you work in peace, you may even save on child care. Just know when to shut down your office and really act like you're home rather than still at work. ]]></description>
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<title>Business Telecommuting Opportunities: Taking the World by Storm</title>
<link>http://www.populate.net/Business/Telecommuting/business-telecommuting-opportunities-taking-the-world-by-storm.html</link>
<guid>http://www.populate.net/Business/Telecommuting/business-telecommuting-opportunities-taking-the-world-by-storm.html</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 12 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Telecommuting business opportunities are taking over the world of today. With the way things are going, people can expect offices to be of no use anymore. More and more people will do their work at home using the tools and capabilities of computers. There is no more need wake early and battle the traffic going to the office. Plus, you do not have to face colleagues that ruin your day. 

This is what telecommuting is all about. By now, there are a number of business opportunities being are fast becoming a tempting option. The negative feedbacks that are being said about the online world are not stopping people from finding the telecommuting business opportunity that they like.  

Advantages of telecommuting business opportunities. 

1. Minimum disturbances. 

Do not you just hate it when you are in the middle of something and your boss asks for you? Or are you being distracted everyday by your noisy office mates while you are busy keeping up with a deadline?

These things do not happen whenever you are at home and working. Telecommuting gives you the opportunity to do your work without the unwanted distractions you will encounter in the office. No phone calls, noisy people around and difficult boss. 

All documents are passed on through email, you set up your own time, have a better salary and all this in the comfort of your home. 

2. Your own responsibility. 

When you are working from home, you get to be responsible for the tax payments and other benefits. Sometimes, employees get suspicious of the payments that are subtracted from their salary. In addition, they are obliged to pay for something that they do not necessarily need. 

These things do not happen when you are working at home and on your own. This way, you can decide which payments should b prioritized and which ones you can do without. By having a file of your own expenses, you can set up a budget for the things that you need. 

When pay day comes, you are not anymore surprised at the amount that you will receive. 

3. No specific education needed. 

The thing that matters most in telecommuting is that you are capable of doing the job. It does not matter if the degree you have is not related to your job. What matters is that you have the skills and have proven yourself perfect for the job. 

A variety of telecommuting opportunities are out there. Freelancing, consultant, sales and a lot others are up for grabs. You only have to choose the one you are best suited with and you can start working already. 

Outsourcing is one example of telecommuting. This is perfect for those who do not want to manage or work with other employees. You only have yourself to answer to. The success of your business will all depend on you and your strategies. 

The above mentioned things are enough reasons why people are quitting their jobs and shifting to telecommuting. It can be that as the technology advances, more and more telecommuting business opportunities will surface. 

As early as now, these businesses have already made a lot of people happier. And it has also created a world of opportunities for those who do not have definite career paths. Welcome to the world of telecommuting. ]]></description>
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<title>Small Business Telephone System with VoIP</title>
<link>http://www.populate.net/Business/Telecommuting/small-business-telephone-system-with-voip.html</link>
<guid>http://www.populate.net/Business/Telecommuting/small-business-telephone-system-with-voip.html</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 27 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ If you are changing your small business telephone system from a traditional dedicated fixed landline to the newer VoIP technology, there are some things you need to have in place to change successfully. 

1. Internet Connection 

To route your calls over the Internet instead of over the existing telephone fixed landlines, you need to have a powerful Internet connection and equipment to connect and communicate with. 

If your small business is using a DSL or cable modem for your Internet connectivity, you need to research the bandwidth needed for of VoIP communications (Voice over Internet Protocol). 

If you are one of 1-2 employees, then DSL or cable should work fine to meet your needs. DSL and cable modems are not ideal for VoIP, but they do work acceptably well for a very small office of just one or two people. 

If your office grows to more than 2 users, your small business telephone system needs to grow also. It is time to consider a more robust Internet connection. 

The standard DSL and cable modems offer you a quicker download than upload speed. This generally works fine for general computer usage, but it won't work so well for voice communication. 

So, you will need to make sure that your Internet connection can support both the upload and download speeds that you need to have clear and consistent voice communication. 

2. How Much Bandwidth? 

The industry standard is enough bandwidth for about 1/3 rd of your employees to be on the telephone at the same time ... so if you have 30 lines, you should then have enough bandwidth for 10 to be used at any one time. With a business of this size, your small business telephone system will usually require a T1 connection to the Internet. 

One of the best things you can do is to work with a provider who can support both your VoIP and Internet connection needs. This will insure that you have the bandwidth necessary to get both your calls and data needs taken care of. 

3. Hub vs. Switch 

In addition to bandwidth to the Internet, internally you should be using switches on your network rather than hubs. While hubs are fine for electronic data transmission, the transmission of voice over your network necessitates the need for switches to be used. 

4. Media Gateways 

If you already have a small business telephone system in place, such as a small PBX system, you can purchase a device called a "media gateway" to connect your existing phone system to the Internet without having to replace all of your phones and equipment. 

This will save you money from the equipment that would have to be replaced to upgrade to VoIP services. 

Moving your small business telephone system over to VoIP requires some pre-planning and consultation with an Internet provider. An experienced provider can offer the equipment and the know-how to make your move to VoIP quickly and without any inconvenience for your employees. ]]></description>
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<title>7 Steps to Finding Work At Home Jobs</title>
<link>http://www.populate.net/Business/Telecommuting/7-steps-to-finding-work-at-home-jobs.html</link>
<guid>http://www.populate.net/Business/Telecommuting/7-steps-to-finding-work-at-home-jobs.html</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 20 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Are you interested in working from home?  A lot of people are.  However, a lot of people never end up working from home.

Why is that?  Is it just too much of a dream to be able to work from the comfort of your own home?  No, absolutely not.  Working from home is possible.  It is realistic.  You just need to know how to find the jobs and put forth the effort to do what is necessary to get one.

That is why many people who want to work from home never do.  They do not put forth the effort to learn how to find work at home.  If they do learn how, they don't take the necessary actions.

So, be your own person and go after what you want.  Start by following these 7 steps:

1.  Determine how much money you need or want to make from home.  Knowing this will help you focus on the right types of jobs, versus wasting your time looking at job for which you are either over qualified or under qualified.

2.  Update your resume and list of references.  If necessary, get help with your resume.  Make sure you have a professional-looking resume.  Avoid taking short cuts here.

3.  Understand what telecommuting is and where the work at home jobs are posted.

4.  Check out the company with:

* Your local Consumer Protection Agency
* Your State Attorney General and
* The Better Business Bureau - where the company is located and also where you live

Ask these organizations if they have received complaints about the company offering the work at home jobs that you are considering.  Note that the absence of complaints doesn't necessarily mean the company is legitimate. Companies may settle complaints, change their names, or move to avoid detection. 

5. Do thorough research on any job in which you're interested.  Do a search on the internet for the company and also the names of anyone with whom you spoken at the company.

6. Do the math. 

There are many of job postings that claim you can earn thousands a month, working 20 hours a week typing, performing data entry, or doing some other administrative work.  However, when you crunch the numbers it's clear the claim is bogus.

For example:  Say a company claims that they will all of your clients for you. They also claim that you will only work 4-5 hours a day and make $5000/month.

Let's look at the math: 

5 hours a day, Monday to Friday, is 25 hours a week, which is 100 hours a month.  $5000 a month divided by 100 hours a month means you would be making $50 an hour to type.

This is not going to happen - the company could hire someone locally and pay that person a monthly salary that's a lot less than $50 an hour, even if benefits are included, and have him/her working 40 hours a week.  Even if that person puts in over time at time and a half the hourly rate will still be a lot less than $50 an hour.

7.  Report any scams that you come across.

If you encounter a scam, report it to your local Better Business Bureau and the Federal Trade Commission. ]]></description>
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<title>Pros and Cons of Working at Home</title>
<link>http://www.populate.net/Business/Telecommuting/pros-and-cons-of-working-at-home.html</link>
<guid>http://www.populate.net/Business/Telecommuting/pros-and-cons-of-working-at-home.html</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 19 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ In most cases people who are eager to spend most of their time enjoying the comforts of home choose to work from home. People also opt for home-based jobs to earn an extra income fulfill various needs, personal as well as professional.

There are many ways to make money with this kind of opportunity. You can start your own business, work with an existing business firm, run online auctions, freelance for any company, do data entry , get paid for online surveys and so on.

Working at home is no doubt beneficial but can be problematic too. Some of the pros and cons of working at home are listed below.

Pros:

1. Comfortable Location

Daily commuting from home to office and vice versa is cumbersome and expensive for some people. If there is space enough in ones house to make an office space to maintain some amount of privacy then there is nothing better than that. This way you can share a lot of time with your family which is usually not possible with a regular 12 hour office job.

2. Flexibility 

You can figure out your own working hours and do not have to follow a strict nine-to-five schedule. You can take breaks whenever you want and continue working till you are satisfied. There is extreme freedom as far as dress code is concerned. You can be as comfortable as possible and be your own boss.

3. Savings 

You can cut down on your fuel expenses and save money by working at home. Car maintenance charges are also reduced as a result. If you are working for a private company from home they will also furnish the equipments required for your work and no question of expenditure on your part.

4. Other Reasons

There are people who experience less stress working from home. They can control and concentrate on their work without the interference of colleagues and the boss. Health problems can also be solved by working at home.

Cons:

1. Isolation from social life - If you are working at home you are dissociated from the rest of your coworkers. Working alone can at times be very boring and time consuming. You might not be able to solve many work problems without helping hands. The lack of social interaction can lead to depression and other psychological problems which would hamper your work.

2. Limited Options - You cannot work if your job does not permit you to do so. For instance, if you are involved in the field of public relations, communication with people is indispensable for you. You cannot choose to work from your home in such a situation. 

3. Equipment Expenditure - If your office does not provide you the equipments required for your work at home, it can increase your expenses. This can be problematic for people who do not have enough savings to incur this cost. You need a proper space in your house to set up an office because a minimum privacy is required for work. If that is not available it is even more expensive to set up. 

4. No regular Income - If your work is project based then you might not receive monthly pay checks. Your financial condition has to be extremely well to maintain your finances in such a scenario.

5. Fraud - You might not be trusted completely by your clients since you are working from home. Your sincererity might be under surveillance. This would hamper your professional image to your clients.

6. Distractions - If you have children they can be the cause of distractions during your working hours. Visitors can also disturb you while you work. You cannot avoid such sources of disturbance.

7. Discipline - You need a great deal of self discipline, energy, dedication and financial stability for this type of endeavor to be successful. ]]></description>
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<title>How to Earn an Income While Staying at Home</title>
<link>http://www.populate.net/Business/Telecommuting/how-to-earn-an-income-while-staying-at-home.html</link>
<guid>http://www.populate.net/Business/Telecommuting/how-to-earn-an-income-while-staying-at-home.html</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 10 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Staying at home doesn't mean that you need to give up on the idea of having an income. There are many ways that you can make money without going "out" to work. Here are some tips and suggestions for finding a stay at home income.

Consider Your Interests

If you are not sure about what kind of work you want to do, start by thinking about what kinds of things you are interested in and enjoy doing. Make a list of all of these things, and then go through it to see how you can make money from doing what you love. 

For example, if you enjoy working with young people and have the necessary credentials, then you might want to offer tutoring services to students who are having difficulty in school. Do you know how to play a musical instrument? Then offer lessons to others who want to learn. 

Look at Your Employment History

Looking over your employment history listed in your resume is another place to get suggestions and ways to generate a stay at home income. Instead of looking at you past job titles, break each job down into specific duties. What parts of each job did you like the most and the least? 

If you enjoyed having contact with other people as part of your job, you might want to look into work at home opportunities where you are answering calls for a business or making outbound calls for telemarketing purposes. 

On the other hand, if you prefer to work on your own, you may want to consider doing work that doesn't necessarily require phone contact with a client or customers. You may be more comfortable interacting with people by e-mail, and this certainly is an option.

Do you enjoy shopping or organizing things? Can you cook? Many people have elements in their lives where they simply don't have the time to do things for themselves. You could promote yourself as a personal shopper or offer to buy and deliver groceries to seniors or people with mobility problems that make it difficult for them to go to the store themselves. 

Many people don't have the time to deal with the clutter in their homes and would welcome the opportunity to have some help in getting (and staying) organized. Perhaps a good fit for you would be to go to a client's home and prepare meals in their kitchen that they can freeze and enjoy through out the week. 

If you are able to find a match between your own skills and abilities and a need that business owners or homeowners have, you are well on your way to being able to generate an income while staying at home. Don't be afraid to promote yourself to potential clients and say, "I can look after that for you!" ]]></description>
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<title>Small Business Phone System with VoIP</title>
<link>http://www.populate.net/Business/Telecommuting/small-business-phone-system-with-voip.html</link>
<guid>http://www.populate.net/Business/Telecommuting/small-business-phone-system-with-voip.html</guid>
<pubDate>Sun, 27 Jan 2008 00:00:00 -0800</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ As the owner or manager of a small business, you likely have struggled trying to find a telephone system just right for your office needs.

A large corporation may be able to absorb the costs of an PBX system and the staff to maintain it. But you as a small business owner probably have a need for a much more efficient, and cost-effective option.

With a single receiver or multiple lines, new technologies exist which can be both affordable and easily administered by your existing office staff.

Traditional Small Business Phone System
To understand how far phone systems have come, it is important to understand where they have been.

Small business phone system options of the past were usually a collection of many individual lines, each dedicated to the use of one or two handsets.

This drove costs up, and it made simple features like internally transferring calls almost impossible.
Computers could all be connected to one in-house router, and all the office needed was one Internet connection. This was not the case with phone systems without some serious PBX equipment.

Today's Small Business Phone System Options
With the explosion of the Internet, programmers started addressing the limitations of existing phone systems and developed a much more efficient technology with "Voice over Internet Protocol" or VoIP.

VoIP makes it possible for you to make and receive calls through your existing computer network rather than through traditional means.

Essentially, your calls arrive at your desk the same way that your e-mail messages do. And they do so through your existing Internet connection, rather than a bunch of expensive lines.

VoIP Cost Savings
One of the biggest advantages for small businesses using VoIP is the cost savings.

Rather than a multitude of lines coming into your building, and then physically running the cable inside your building to each extension, you simply use the existing Ethernet cable, which is already installed for your computers.

You also see savings in long-distance charges because you make all of your calls over the Internet rather than through the utility company.

Upgrades and Expansion
When it is time to upgrade or expand to fit more users, the task is as simple as plugging in a new phone.

Gone are the days of having to run new wire to the handset and manually programming the central PBX to handle the calls to and from.

This new "plug-n-play" technology allows your telephone set-up to be easily upgraded and completely scalable for your growing business needs. ]]></description>
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