20 Work From Home Essentials to Make Work Easier

Upended Work World and Working from Home

Professional and personal worlds have been upended due to COVID-19. They also have been intertwined with each other. Some professional that have never worked a day from their homes—and never intended to do so—have been working four, five, or even six weeks from their homes. Often without a dedicated office and dealing with spouses, children, pets, and other distractions, solopreneurs and small businesses have confronted these challenges with ingenuity and determination.

Some are working from their bedrooms. Others from their garage or attics. One business development manager with whom I have been working to vet a software solution retrofitting a small shed in his backyard and has been installing sheetrock on the weekends to ensure it is insulated to ward off the summer heat when it arrives.

Compiling a List of Essentials for Working from Home

Professional publications and websites are full of articles with recommendations on how professionals can make working from home (WFH) easier and more productive. Following are 20 work from home essentials to make work easier for soloprenuers and small business owners.

1. Separate Personal from Professional.

   Research shows people function better when the spaces in their homes are separate—namely, where they eat, sleep, relax, and work. Create a sense of separation from the area you work and other activities at home, even if it is in the same room.

2. Find a Sit-Stand Desk.

   Unlike a few years ago, there are a number of affordable options. Think about going a step further and check out an adjustable drafting table that enables you to sit or stand as well as adjust the angle of the desk plane.

3. Get the Right Chair.

   Those who simply pull up a chair from the kitchen table or one stored away in the garage are setting themselves up for an ongoing chiropractic battle. Instead, look for an ergonomic chair that meets your personal characteristics. One ergonomic chair that works for one person may not be the right choice for someone else.

4. Benefit from Natural Light.

   Many WFH environments lack natural light. Find a desk light that emits natural light. Benefits range from better moods, higher energy, better health, and improved sleep patterns.

5. Make Coffee and Tea.

   A shot of caffeine a couple times a day can provide a much-needed break or surge of energy. Think about acquiring a tea and coffee maker that brings some fun to the process or adds an extra pizzazz to your drink.

6. Use Headphones and Mic.

   As many professionals did not have dedicated office spaces in their homes, they suddenly find themselves competing with their spouses, flat mates, parents, and even neighbors when on conference calls and in meetings. Having a set of high-quality headphones and microphone can make the WFH environment much easier.

7. Video Conferencing Background.

   For those without dedicated offices that are separated from the rest of the household, they may find their backgrounds on video calls full of children asking for a snack, pets wanting attention, or spouses walking around. Zoom and other video conferencing tools provide background options that can block out these “distractions.”

8. Computer Accessories.

   Huddled day-after-day typing away on a small laptop keyboard and squinting at its small screen will quickly take its toll on a professional’s health. Splurge and get a large, multi-screen monitor, full-size keyboard, mouse, laptop stand, antiglare screen, and other computer accessories that are assumed accoutrements when you’re working from a company office. Not only will your health improve, but you will be more productive.

9. Snacks.

   Just as refreshments are critical to sustaining your energy and focus, so are snacks. With the refrigerator and pantry just a few steps away, professionals need to ensure that they are snacking on healthy foods—or your stay at home my result in unfortunate professional wardrobe adjustments when you are able to resume client meetings and going to an office or shared workspace location.

10. Tablet and Smartphone Accessories.

    For those who rely on a tablet and/or smartphone for work, these also need their accessories like computers. Tablet stands, charging pads, and other accessories can boost productivity.

11. Preparing for Temperature Variations.

    Indoor climates can change, and summer will bring its own challenges for WFH. Houses without air conditioning may become stifling hot in another month. Professionals need to dress for climate fluctuations that can occur throughout the workday (e.g., cool mornings but hot afternoons). They also need to ensure they have desk fans and other accessories to help them stay cool when temperatures in the home rise and become uncomfortable.

12. Amethyst.

    Purple amethyst is not only aesthetically appealing, but it also prevents harmful rays from electronics. Strategic placement of purple amethyst when WFH can have a dual impact.

13. Phone Soap.

    Everyone’s smartphone is probably the device touched the most often throughout the day. The smartphone goes with us everywhere and is a mobile germ carrier. This is where a phone soap case that uses ultraviolet light to eliminate the germs in a matter of minutes can come in very handy.

14. Surge Protector.

    Research shows that professionals use an average of three to four devices on a daily basis for work. These electronics require charging—and protection. This is where a charging station with a built-in surge protector can be valuable.

15. Endpoint Security.

    Presumably, every professional in today’s digital age knows the importance of installing and maintaining endpoint security on every device they use. The WFH environment poses a broader attack surface for cybercriminals, and it is critical to ensure your endpoint security is fully configured. In addition, as upwards of 50% of cyberattacks today employ unknown threats or zero-day attacks, it is important to use endpoint security software that uses more than just a signature-based approach (those that only use signature-based models to block attacks will miss threats that are unknown). Finally, on a related note, now is a good time to double check and ensure each of your devices have the latest manufacturer operating system updates installed.

16. Ember Mug.

    Getting up to get another cup of coffee or tea from the kitchen can interrupt valuable work. Or, sometimes, you could be stuck on back-to-back-to-back calls without any respite. An Ember Mug can keep your drink at precisely the temperature you want.

17. Virtual Receptionist.

    WFH can actually add to the pile of work on the desk of a solopreneur or small business owner. Having a professional receptionist always available to answer incoming calls from customers and suppliers, managing your calendar, or making outbound calls can be a real plus—enabling those WFH to focus on running their business. On-demand virtual receptionist services such as Davinci Live Receptionist are a great option during the COVID-19 economy, where engagement can be purchased in increments—namely, pay-for-what-you-use.

18. Website Engagement.

    Digital is the name of the game during COVID-19 WFH. In-person meetings and events are not possible. This might be a great time to ramp up website engagement by adding live web chat. It can be both static and proactive. In the case of the latter, you can proactively offer live web chat to visitors—whether they are seeking support or wanting to buy something. For small businesses that do not have the resources to manage live web chat on their own, on-demand services like Davinci Live Web Chat Services are an affordable, highly professional option.

19. Meeting Rooms.

    Once COVID-19 WFH is over, small businesses will be ready to schedule strategic meetings with employee and customers and begin working from a coworking space on a limited basis. Shared workspace and meeting rooms like Davinci Meeting Rooms provide the flexibility and cost efficiencies you need. Plus, booking them is easy—whether over the phone, online, via live web chat, or a mobile app.

20. Plant for Energy and Productivity.

    Research shows plants create a soothing experience in a business environment, enabling workers to increase productivity by as much as 15%.

Thrive in WFH

COVID-19 has created a long list of personal and professional challenges. WFH is one of them. But there is no reason it needs to impact work productivity or even personal health. Getting a list of WFH essentials together can make a real difference and ensure your time WFH is a success.

About Patrick Spencer

Patrick Spencer (Ph.D.) is the President and Founder of TIRO Communications that helps companies develop, build, and manage content, customer, advocacy, and demand-gen programs. Included in its offerings is TIRO Cognition Insights, a data analytics tool that enables B2C and B2B businesses to pinpoint what their customers and competitors’ customers are saying and to identify corresponding actionable product, services, competitive, sales, and marketing intelligence. LinkedIn Profile: LinkedIn Website: www.tirocommunications.com