The earliest instances of ‘work-from-home’ that a Google Books search turns up use the phrase to mean “work away from home.”
Thus, for example, in The Charters and General Laws of the Colony and Province of Massachusetts, we find this provision (enacted in September 1634) “relating to the impressments of laborers, horses, etc.”
I’m not sure that helps much to define for our cause here today though. I bet that you didn’t know people have been “working from home” since the early 1600’s though. The terms have changed slightly from ‘working away from home’ to current terms used such as, “work-at-home and work-from-home.”
‘Working from home’ seems to be the standard current idiom for telecommuting. The connotation seems to be that your work is still centered on the workplace, but you are completing it remotely. So, keeping in context that this is NOT about folks who have corporate jobs and then get to go home and work. No my friends, this is about the now millions of self-employed people who work their businesses from home… or do they?
Yesterday I was asked the difference between the two for the purposes of a brochure we’re working on for a client so it was super critical we got it right. Client Antonia says, “I do not see any difference between the two of them.” I was stunned. That was it and she said it so point blank, cut & dry that it was stunning to see that most don’t know that they are so different they are like dogs and cats. This conversation, got me thinking that maybe some other folks don’t know the differences although some slight & some major, a few of them can make all the difference in the world such as insurance to your future success after you buy.
I helped many people who wanted to work AT HOME, online – unemployed, students, people who want just a little bit extra, stay at home parents and heavy-hitters in need of a strong six-figure income. So let’s dig into the meat of the issue and come up with some solid answers shall we?
Work-from-home can mean your home base is your home and your spare bedroom is your office for instance. Great, but them you leave a flower deliver vehicle as you own an independent flower opportunity that is a “Home-Based” in theory. This type that you manage at home and operate in the field. Knowing these distinctions can make a big difference when buying. On the other hand a Work-at-Home Business Opportunity of some sort is where you actually do the work “AT HOME” and not leave. Telemarketing sales, Home Daycare Provider, Writer, Medical Transcriptionist, Web Page Developer, Home Party Sales and so much more. Other examples of these types of businesses which are work from home are Avon, Mary Kay, Tupperware, Amway, Pampered Chef, Usborne Books, Silpada Jewelry, Cookie Lee Jewelry, Lia Sophia, Tastefully Simple, At Home America, Pick a Pearl parties, and Creative Memories for scrap booking. Many mothers and fathers choose these companies because they can do work from home, but it also helps them to get out of the house and socialize periodically.
So, next time you’re shopping for an opportunity remember to ask not only the basic questions such as ROI, References and so forth. This time add in: Where is the actual work performed? If owned, but business is done outside the home do you need to be licensed, bonded or insured in anyway to perform the work? Will this require you owning or driving a special vehicle because many condo associations have issues with work trucks in driveways or worse on the curb? Some high-rise buildings associations have issues with height restrictions not so much the vehicle itself, but what the height restrictions are etc.
Special Sauce Burnt End Tid Bit: My blog next week will be short and super helpful. If you want to not only improve your Alexa ranking, but also potentially over time your Page Rank I’ll have my top ways to achieve your goals. Next week we will explore: Twenty Questions to Ask Before Buying a Business Opportunity.
Carpe Diem My Friends
Sources: Google Books, The States of Massachusetts Charters and General Laws, Widener Library