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Last Updated on January 20, 2024 by Work In My Pajamas
When I made my first move into business ownership, I was very excited to be ditching the 9-to-5 daily grind. But once I was engulfed in the entrepreneurial game, I realized one can’t really put everything about the 9-to-5 firmly in their past. These are the five staples of the 9-to-5 lifestyle that I think shouldn’t go ignored by entrepreneurs.
Updated Resume
If you’re not seeking employment, you don’t need a resume, right? Wrong. Entrepreneurs need a solid, well-designed resume just as much as the individual seeking a full-time position as an employee with a company. Why? Because you’ll inevitably run into situations in which you need to provide a summary of your background and qualifications, whether you’re securing your next client or trying to land a speaking gig at an industry conference.
Dedicated Meeting Space for Clients
You have a promising client on the hook, but they’re requesting a face-to-face meeting – in your office. Such a scenario can spell disaster if you’re not prepared. While young entrepreneurs just starting out may not have the capital to purchase or rent a chic office space with a spacious conference room, you should have access to a dedicated meeting space. Luckily, there are some more affordable ways to achieve this, such as co-working spaces, which often have conference areas shared by office mates. These spaces can give clients the impression that you’re professional and well-established without breaking the bank.
Equipped Office Space
Whether you rent office space or have a home office, as an entrepreneur you must have a fully equipped, dedicated office space to call your own. A desktop or laptop computer, tablet, high-speed Internet, printer/scanner, and yes, a fax machine are all tools of the trade you’ll need at some point. You might also consider a credit card reader if you accept credit card payments from clients, a multi-device charging station, a tablet PC, and other gadgets, depending on your affinity for the latest technology.
Dedicated Business Phone Line
Another important necessity for entrepreneurs is a dedicated business phone line. Depending on the type of business you’re running, this can be more or less critical to operations. However, relying on your mobile device to field both personal and business calls can become tricky if your business is one that receives a large number of calls. Plus, you don’t want your personal phone number all over the Internet for the world to see. There are several ways to get a dedicated business phone number without going the usual, and usually expensive, traditional phone company route.
A Website
Most likely the last company you worked for had a website. Maintaining it might not have been part of your job description, but it is now. There are many ways to create a well-designed, easy-to-use website these days. If you’re joining the sharing economy by becoming a dog walker, pet sitter, or tasker, for example, chances are the company you’re working under will provide you some kind of web space for promoting your services. But if you have to create your own site, make sure your company’s site featurescontent that your customers are interested in, not shameless self-promotion about company meetings or new hires. If your business sells a special kind of alarm clock, write a blog post about ways to get a better night’s sleep or foods to avoid right before bed. Keep your web content interesting and relevant, something current customers will want to share while drawing in potential new customers.
Taking the entrepreneurial leap is a big and exciting step, but don’t get too caught up in the enthusiasm that you forget to adopt the 9-to-5 practices that are critical for the success of any venture. These 9-to-5 essentials are just as crucial for entrepreneurs as they are for weekday warriors.
