Home is where the heart is. Nothing matches the relaxed, liberating atmosphere of working from home. For many professionals, there is nothing better than enjoying the ability to work on their own terms, in their own time, and in their pajamas if they so choose.
In fact, about 3.7 million employees work from home at least 50% of the time. The figure includes not just freelancers but entrepreneurs as well.
Small businesses and enterprises alike are starting to realize the benefits of letting employees work from home. 80% to 90% of professionals want to work at home, and 74% of those who made the leap say they enjoy greater quality of life.
Additionally, research indicates that employees are more productive when they work from home. A Stanford study pins the exact rate of increased performance at 13%, the majority of which came from working more per shift. However, not everyone is willing to make this transition due to the challenges involved in working from home.
The biggest challenge is infrastructure. For employees who work at an office, the employer is responsible for providing you with the necessary products and equipment. However, once work starts taking place at home, part of this burden shifts to the employee.
In most cases, employers offer an online web application for at-home employees and freelancers to access and submit work through. Often, a company laptop is included as well, but very little else leaves the office. Freelancers and remote employees need to invest in their work environment in order to deliver results.
5 Work from Home Essentials You Need
For the vast majority of freelancers, telecommuting employees, and entrepreneurs, five must-have tools define the home office environment.
Invest in the following products and your home will compete with even the best-equipped offices in your area:
1. A Powerful Lightweight Laptop
Laptop computers offer mobility that allows remote employees and freelancers to work from anywhere. With a desktop, you will be confined to one corner of your home, whereas with a laptop, you will be allowed to move around without having to compromise your work.
Plus, you can take your laptop outside as well – to the library or your favorite coffee shop – to work in a different environment. For this reason, it’s a good idea to invest in a laptop that is durable and light, yet powerful enough to achieve the tasks you need to perform.
Even if your employer offers to provide a work laptop, you may be able to improve your productivity by choosing your own make and model. For instance, the Lenovo N23 80YS0003US is a good choice due to its powerful processor, RAM and other features. Ask your employer if it will reimburse you for the value of the laptop it provides remote workers.
2. A Wireless Headset
Employees in the customer service and technical support fields absolutely need an excellent wireless headset. Place priority on wireless headsets that come with good battery life and comfort. Additionally, the device should be easy to use.
Most Bluetooth headsets can connect with multiple devices, allowing you to attend calls on all your devices – from laptops to mobile phones – without having to move from your seat. This will improve efficiency and impress your employers.
3. A Cable Organizer
At-home employees, freelancers, and entrepreneurs should go wireless whenever possible, but there will always be cables to deal with. Even if you invest entirely in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth-enabled devices, you still have to plug your workstation into a power outlet, and you still have lighting and other fixtures that rely on cables.
Cable organizers are a must-have for any office environment. A cluttered, spaghetti-like mess of cables doesn’t inspire great work. On the other hand, efficient cable management is visually appealing, sometimes to the point of being strangely artistic.
4. A Wireless Printer and Scanner
Most at-home workers try to avoid printing and scanning, but there are plenty of situations when it’s simply required. For instance, some documents require an authentic, pen-to-paper signature – electronic signatures can’t apply everywhere.
A multifunction device that offers printing, scanning, faxing, and copying like the Lexmark CX417de Laser Multifunction Printer/Scanner is a great choice in this situation. Multifunction devices like these save time, space, and money compared to the alternative – buying separate printing, scanning, and copying equipment.
5. Comfortable, Professional Furnishings
Create a proper work environment by installing bright lights and taking care of room temperature. Go for energy-saving products that can help you save money in the long run.
Invest in a good desk and a comfortable office chair as well. Being able to work from anywhere can be a good option, but having your own workstation allows you to reinforce productive behaviors. Consider adding an external monitor to your laptop setup so that you have access to a large display whenever needed.
Boost Your Productivity with Home Office Must-Haves
These work from home must-haves allow employees to enjoy a greater sense of agency over their work environment. If you can telecommute to work every day, outfitting your home with productivity-boosting office tech essentials is the best way to achieve optimal work-life balance.
Need help creating your own personalized list of work-from-home essentials for your team? Talk to one of our specialists and find out how we can help you.
