How did we get here? What really prompted Yahoo CEO Marissa Meyer's decision
to reel in all of her telecommuters. Did she see a lack of motivation in
achieving above standard work from a more relaxed environment? Was it the over
zealous efforts of a female executive trying to stake her claim in a still male
dominated org chart landscape? After all, the same opposing missiles would be
aimed at whichever gender base yielded the less than favorable decision.

The topic doesn't need a name or face. Pressing is the question of why such a
drastic measure was taken in the first place. Any number of things behind the
firewall could have triggered it. What we know for sure is that by early summer
2013 the mentality of all ashore that's going ashore will be the new addendum
and the ship may sail without many of it's crew members.

For the foreseeable future at least, Yahoo's work from home allowance is no
longer the mainstay. The dynamics have changed at least for now. But, did CEO
Marissa Mayer get it right? Maybe. The underlying reasons may not be as
transparent as removing those less motivated individuals from the ranks. From
the message boards sprout righteous indignation, complaints of micro-managing
and cut-backs as the target. That is the media cooler version.

However, according to Forbes magazine, the 37 year-old Meyer, who made the
diamond-cut list of successful corporate raiders, utilized data analytics in
reaching her decision to ban telecommuting. Prior to Yahoo she left Google on a
strong career high note, making her and her new employer's agendized wish list
abundantly clear: strengthening Yahoo's franchise in email, finance and sports.
As if that wasn't enough star power, her priors included assisting in taming the
shrew, namely, joining Walmart's corporate board in 2012. Whipping up a batch of
mighty changes before briskly entering the rank and file of the aforementioned
Google, which gave her the force, courage and stamina to rule as Yahoo's current
lion king.

This is some of what we know about Meyer..and bravo by the way. But does her
wielding a mighty blow of her scepter against telecommuting segments mean
curtains for the rest of us who heavily rely on it? Not one bit. Before we pick
up the proverbial picket signs and create another movement. Take a look at a few
of the positive aspects of working from home for the average entrepreneur and
why, try as they might, naysayers cannot rule out the masses of successful stay
at home workers as an

Building Confidence In Creating Your Career Your Way-The framework
of terms in the workplace are set and applied per your standards, your efforts.
No answering to someone else and having the frustration of having to go along
for the ride when you didn't want to be a passenger on any level. If you like
red pens, use them.

Childcare-Parents can spend up to a mind-blowing 40% of their monthly
wages on childcare. Not to mention the gas, time and effort to get them there in
the first place.

Child Rearing and Bonding-To further the point, Dr Laura in a
December 5, 2012 blog entitled, "Day Cares Don't Care", she remarked that even
the best facility cannot provide what your child needs most: one-on-one
nurturing, loving time, which is crucial for their well-being and development.
Spending countless hours away from home only to make it in time with the cool
brevity of a pat on the for a good night well-wish is simply not enough.

Scheduling Is In The Palm Of Your Hands-No you don't have to attend
the mundane weekly staff meeting where everyone knows your name but yet, never
quite gets why they are in the room. The routine never gets any better either,
no matter how many donuts they let you eat. Instead, since you are the boss, you
make the call on where and when to time manage.

Personal Space-Not having to share a cubicle or the internal wars
over who gets the conference room after discovering that it was
overbooked..again. Or being bumped because you are not as important or didn't
have the same connections as you fellow workmate who seems to surprisingly get
his requests met each and every time.

Saving Against Rising Fuel Costs-Pain at the pump is more incentive
to park it.

Budgeting-How often did you suck your teeth when all you wanted for
the new year was a desk calendar? Right? Now you can find the best options for
all the supplies you need and be happy about the end result and not just the
bottom line.

Peace of Mind-Yes, you have to make some tough choices along the way
but they are your choices to make. It is almost always every employees dream to
be the boss for a day so they can make whatever moves thought to be the best and
wouldn't you know it, some of the decision might be right. You will have the
satisfaction of making and owning the decisions on a daily basis instead of
casting your ballot into the black hole that is your team's suggestion box.

Speaking on that last point, it is hoped that thorough research and planned
development went to this ripple-effect decision of Marissa Meyer's. Her
employees, for whatever it is worth, may find solace in the fact that in this
economy they still have employment. If the worst of it is that they have to
share a work space, I for one would take that over a cardboard box. 

And let's face it, if you really think that the Yahoo CEO's decision was not
well thought out, you could always send her a suggestion of your own. I know I
did, because fundamentally, work place or work space, all is not fair in love
and war.

Very few of us have a hard time remembering the brands we love to
buy on a weekly basis. Conjuring up the jingle or colors of that beloved cereal
or TV show ad sticks well in our minds even though they were flashed to us for a
few seconds.

Why is it that these products succeed where others fail? Branding. Some products that turn out to be duds make quick sales based on the initial concept brought on by colors, musical nuances familiar to and accepted by certain demographics no matter the culture or age. When you know your product and can sell it albeit a one hit wonder in some cases, you can reach people effectively. So on that note...

Know Your Brand

There is nothing worse than seeing a presentation where you are lost wondering what the person was actually trying to sell you. A concept, once given birth to production needs a basis for continued usage beyond the first sale.

Why am I making this product and how will it help now and in the
future?

Depending on what you are offering you will need to research the colors for that
brand.

Are there competitive items out there with the same canary yellows?

Will your brand get lost in the shuffle of the other names out there for the same line of goods you want to produce and sell long term?

Now that you are beyond the concept, think where and who you want
to see your product. Patenting a certain color may be an option but make sure
you love it or this will become an expensive learning curve.

Know The Market

Most start-ups do not have a warehouse with thousands of inventory lined up for delivery. You may have a few samples aid in determining need. If its a cool kitchen gadget, check with the big box stores to see if they will allow you to set up a table for a few hours or try flea markets where you can pay a minimal fee, set up your wares and see how people react to you and the product you are selling.

Lisa Price of Carol's Daughter got her start that same way. She made up a modest batch of her body butters and bath salts, put them in baby food jars and took them to a flea market. Within hours she was completely sold out and people were begging for more. Now she is selling her hair care, body and bath collections in places like Sephora and countless retailers world wide!

Do What You Say

Companies like Vistaprint.com can afford to offer free product
because they have built a huge following on delivering trusted quality product.
You need to know how much money you have to spend on supplies for your business. Vista for example, have paper suppliers they can rely on for future growth
needs. Do not fall short because you did not anticipate demand. This is what
planning and research is for.

Count on overhead costs even if working from your home office-

Prepare for complications due to unforeseen issues-

You may be the only employee to start-can you handle all aspects from marketing to customer satisfaction once product is received?

No Backseat Driving

You are at the helm. No excuses. Handle your busines. Have more
than on plan on paper or on line. I prefer both just in case technology is not
my friend that day. Also have a written set of rules for yourself. Post them so
you have a daily visual of why you decided to go into business for yourself and
what it means for you beyond the dollar factor. Own the problems and setbacks
without the blame game.

Have a problem, fix a problem. This was the reason I decided to build my site using Weebly.com. They graciously offer to set up your site for you but I wanted the hands on experience. I took it a step further and learned basic IT so that I don't have to rely on an outside service with their fees. While some tech-help companies may prove to be life-savers depending on your particular issue, I like knowing that I can repair some of the problems my server may experience all on my own.

Do Not Sell Yourself Short

All too often I run into individuals who have a concept, may even have product on hand, but do not have the confidence to shine. If you do not believe in yourself, it will not matter what you are trying to sell, it just won't work. Despite modern technology, the mainstream consumer wants a presentation. They want not only to be sold on a product they want to be sold on you.

Why should I believe that you have something worthwhile if you can't look me in the eye or lack conviction for whatever it is you are trying to convey. Of the many internet requirements, we all choose for the most part a system to back up our files so nothing is lost without assurance of recovery. Why not have the same for yourself. You need to back yourself before others will put faith in or invest any time into you or your services.


You can certainly handle the road ahead with its many curves and
dips. Invest in yourself, do the work and the return will be more than you could
have hoped for.


Feel free to contact me for a free 20 minute consultation. I can
be reached at dawnaharden@gmail.com or here at my site,
www.floralgreenspublishing. Hope to hear from you
soon.



Much success to you!