Article Contributed by Lloyd Burrell
The Small Business Boom
With all the funding available these days for starting your own business, it is no wonder so many people are choosing to do so. And with so many new businesses around, it is important to ensure that you have the edge it takes to draw a profit in your market if you are starting your own business. The best way to do this by spending as much time as you can afford planning and making smart investments.
Your principal, whether it consists of loans or your own saved cash, is the fuel that will get your business off the ground. The more you invest initially, the longer it will take for you to start turning out profits, but the more properly equipped for success you will be (assuming you plan well).
Most home office set-up investments are used to purchase a few basic things:
- A personal computer
- An office desk
- Peripherals (printers, scanners, extra speakers, fax machines, etc.)
- Other job-specific necessities (computer programs, envelopes, etc.)
Of these, the most consistently needed are the first two: a computer and a desk. With the speed at which technology is constantly changing and developing, it is hard to offer consistent advice about what to look for in a computer. Office desks, on the other hand, serve a more basic, less complex function, and it is therefore easier to offer solid advice about this essential purchase.
When Shopping For an Office Desk
Keep in mind every aspect of your business throughout the process of shopping for your desk. You should know how much business you expect to be doing, what the realistic requirements of that business would be, how much time you intend to spend at your desk each day and doing what tasks, and what your relationships with your customers and associates will be like.
A Desk That Speaks Success
Ultimately, the customer is the most important element in the success of any business. The more personable your business appears to your customers, the more likely they will be to choose your product or service. So of course having an attractive office desk is important if you ever plan on meeting customers in person.
Some businesses, however, are run entirely online, and simply having a tidy working area to post a picture of is probably sufficient if this is your case. You can save a lot of money by buying a more plain-looking desk, but you should not risk appearing unprofessional to your customers in doing so. Know what the standard in your industry looks like and try to meet it without exceeding it by too much. Bush Furniture retailers typically offer a range of products that cover all bases.
The Right Tools for the Job
Once you have gotten an idea of what you are looking for concerning the first thing you notice about a desk—its appearance—the next step is to come up with a general idea of the range of functions you need your desk to serve. There is an enormous range of available desks tailored to every imaginable function; in order to know what desk is right for you, you have to make a lot of decisions about what exactly your business is going to do. How extensive will your customer relations be? Will you correspond via email, telephone, fax, conventional mail, or all of these? Will you be shipping packages regularly? How much storage space will you be needing?
Each of these decisions has implications concerning what you will need in a desk, and under-planning by overlooking any of these details can be a very costly mistake. Used office desks are not easy to sell, and new ones are not cheap to buy. Make sure you know what equipment besides a personal computer your desk will have to accommodate. Typically any place you can buy Bush Furniture is a good place to find the desk that best meets your needs.
You Know What Is Best for You
While all of these factors are important, it is also important not to overlook the way you feel about the desk you are thinking of purchasing. Starting your own businesses is one of the hardest things you can do, and if you are serious about doing it without getting burnt out, it is important that you are satisfied with your work environment. Having the right office desk improves your attitude toward your business, increasing your chances for success.
Finally, because of the long hours required of entrepreneurs, it is important that you find a desk that fits your body type. Injuries related to computer use and other tasks that involve repetitive motions of the hands are no joke. The last thing you need is constant pain holding you back from accomplishing all you are capable of in your market. Take your time and find the right desk for you.
About the Author
Lloyd Burrell is an expert in office desks furniture and other office-related subjects. He is the publisher of OfficeDeskReviews.com. He is British, but currently lives on the West Coast of France with his wife and two children. His hobbies include traveling, enjoying French cuisine and culture, and keeping fit. Lloyd is an experienced badminton player and is learning to play the guitar.