You see it when you read the newspapers and you see it splattered all on over the Internet. The most innovating "this" and the best "that". "You must join our business. This is revolutionary", some say. Or an even better one is the notion that everyone
needs or wants the product or service being promoted. How many times has someone tried to sell you on a business? The reason you see so many of these claims is because people become desperate and vulnerable and want to believe that there is actually a program that can earn them lots of money with little effort. Hummmm. Well suppose that you were offered a great opportunity through a mutual friend or someone you knew was successful at what they were doing. What now? Do you go for it? Do you not? What does joining a home based business really mean? Will you really earn loads and loads of money? Before you go jumping the broom, allow me the opportunity to uncover some myths and facts related to home based businesses.
Myth:
I am my own boss.
Truth:
Not necessarily. Unless you create your own business, you are still working for someone else. The differences here are that you choose to work independently, and your training may be somewhat on an individual basis and may be covered via online or by phone, You are still however creating more wealth for the owner and top executives of the business. Choosing a business does not guarantee any type of ownership despite your successful years of workmanship. And the closest thing I've seen to retirement income is residual income. This income is a percentage earned off of all of customer product orders and is sent to you as long as your clients remain customers.
Myth:
You have more time to spend with family.
Truth:
You may see your family more but this does not mean that you will spend more quality time with them. In business, your success is totally dependent on your production. In the beginnings of building your home based business you will find that there is a great amount of work involved. Work that in the end proves to be rewarding. Being around your family more often can prove to work against you if your surroundings become counter-productive due to home related issues. It's best to discuss your goals and plans with your family to give them a clear understanding of how seriously you want them to treat your work home career as well as giving you the necessary space to get the job done.
Myth:
I'll make a whole lot of money.
Truth:
This is one of the most common mistakes when deciding on a work home career. You should never assume that just because someone is making a huge income in a fraction of the time spent in the business, then you are bound to have those same results. Everyone is different. We all approach and reach others on different levels and so on. What works for one is not going to always work for someone else. If you join a business solely based on this, you will get burned out and will most likely quit. You must have a passion for what you do and you must believe in what you are representing. If you don't absolutely one hundred percent love what you do, how are you going to convince others to do the same.
Myth:
Working in business is more stable than having an outside job.
Truth:
This can be no more further from the truth. Businesses are not anymore stable than regular companies. Nothing in life is guaranteed. They do not even have to give you a reason for letting you go unless the contract says they do. What does that tell you?
Myth:
There are no rules associated with working a home based business. I can work however I want.
Truth:
Wrong. You may be able to work "whenever" you want. But there is always going to be policies and laws in everything that has to do with our society. Having the freedom to work from home comes with huge responsibilities. Unless you know what you are doing, wandering in unchartered territory can lead to sinking.
There are so many reasons for you to do your homework when reviewing work from home businesses. . Don't allow others to persuade you into entering an agreement you do not feel comfortable with or one you do not fully understand. You must honestly decide for yourself what is best for you. Can that be continuing to work outside the home or join a home based business? That decision is for you to decide and you alone. But making your decision doesn't have to be tedious. Here are some points that you should consider within your search despite the company or business:
Company Reputation/Integrity
You want to check this carefully. Are there any ripoff reports on them? What is their standing with the BBB? Do they have any current or past lawsuits filed against them? What about customer reviews or the way they treat their clients? If you are checking out a job, do some digging to find any former or current employee summaries related to the job. A business will only sell you. That is the job of everyone associated with it. So you might get nothing but praises from a current member. Though if you can search message boards using google, you can possibly find ex members spilling the beans on their past dealings with the business. There may even be forums and threads dedicated to that particular business alone.
When applying to a job posting, use extreme caution. Craigslist is an absolute wonderful resource, however, if I an employer does not feel comfortable posting their information along with the job, IE. website, phone number, email, but requests your personal information, this may be your warning flag. It is understandable that some companies choose to keep a low profile. If this is the case, before sending your "life on paper" to them, request their info first, company name. website, etc...It is important to know what you are getting into and where you are releasing your personal information.
Company/Business Policies, Rules and Regulations
Every company and business has their own policy statement. There is always something you sign that is associated with the job you accept or business you join. You want to read this carefully before signing. If you do not understand the jargon, just ask the your en-roller or the company human resources. It is vital that you understand your rights and your obligations associated with the position you've accepted. I've seen some speak about a particular business that cancels your membership if you don't advertise the way specified in their policies. There may be others who work for companies that can fire you for bringing a water bottle to work, and the job is physical labor. Just be very careful and know what you are signing.
Company/Business Training and Employee/Member Interaction
If you are trained by your down-line and for some reason, this person either sucks or the two of you do not get along, tough "nuggies". You are either stuck or you have to go through some long drawn out procedure to get switched. This is not the case for all, only some. Of course we know this is entirely different in the corporate world. If you do not get along with your boss, there is a chain of command you can address or even switch jobs or locations if necessary.
Termination/Voluntary Separation
Every company and business has their own termination or "notice of separation". Some state they can terminate you for any reason at any given time. Others may state that once you are separated from the company you can no longer venture in a business that is related to theirs or even start one. If you are in a business and do not know your policies or what you can or can not do associated with this, please read carefully. The business does have a right to prosecute you if you violate these policies. So remember, before you sign, skip the line, and study the document carefully.
Whether you choose to continue working a job, accept a business venture or create one yourself, it's clear that none of these paths are easy. They all come with a price. It could be time, money, heartache, pain or more. It could also be rewarding and very worth your while. It's all up to you. So know the cost and decide wisely for your family and for your future.
(March 2008) (
