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  • The Work-At-Home Dream: Telecommuting vs. the Home Based Business

    Author: Angela Wu
    Working from home isn't just a passing fad; it's a growing
    trend that gets stronger each year. Unfortunately, many
    people only have a vague notion of "working at home";
    they've been flooded with "get rich quick" and "be your
    own boss!" ads and just don't know where to start.

    There's a big difference between telecommuting - that is,
    working at home for an employer - and running your own
    home based business. Which one is right for you?

    WORKING AT HOME FOR AN EMPLOYER
    ---------------------------------

    Advantages:

    + You get paid a steady, guaranteed income for as long
    as you are employed with the company and do your job.

    + Many employers offer health care benefits. This helps
    to cover both you and your family's health care needs.

    + If an employer chooses to hire you, training you is
    part of your job. You're paid to learn the necessary
    skills.

    + You have a specific set of tasks and responsibilities.
    You know what's expected of you.

    + Most employees only have to work a certain number of
    hours per week. If you work more, you are generally
    paid overtime wages.

    Disadvantages:

    - Job stability depends on your employer. Layoffs are
    not at all uncommon.

    - Competition is extremely fierce. Although you *can*
    find work-at-home jobs online, most of them are offered
    to current employees with proven track records.

    - You must answer to a boss or supervisor. They tell you
    what to do, when to do it, and often how to do it too.
    You may not actually have the flexibility that's assumed
    when you work at home -- you may still have to work
    'regular' hours and be available to your coworkers and
    boss.

    - Your income is decided for you by your employer. You
    are paid a certain amount to do your job, and any raises
    you earn are also decided by your employer.

    - Employers can be very choosy; there are loads of people
    who want to work from home. Thus some may offer less
    than competitive wages, or fewer or no benefits at all.

    STARTING A HOME BASED BUSINESS
    -------------------------------

    Advantages:

    + You are your own boss. You make the decisions, and
    answer only to business and to your customers.

    + Lots of variety! You have a hand in everything - you
    are the product developer, marketer, janitor, secretary,
    web designer, and bookkeeper, all rolled into one.

    + Income potential is unlimited! You're not restricted to
    how much the boss decides you'll make. You ARE the boss!

    + You can exercise your creativity and independence. You
    decide on the type of business you want, in an area for
    which you have a passion. Business can be FUN, and you
    have the opportunity to make it "yours"!

    + You have the opportunity to pursue your "dream". You
    may have a vision that you'd like to see achieved -
    now you can give it a try!

    Disadvantages:

    - You are your own boss. Yes, this can be perceived as a
    negative as well as a positive! You have the ultimate
    responsibility for the success of your business.

    - There's an element of risk. Every business, regardless
    of what it is, comes with a risk of failure.

    - You provide your own health care benefits.

    - Income is variable. Your business will go through both
    good and bad times, which may make it harder to plan.
    Plus longer hours don't necessarily translate into more
    income... at times you may find yourself working long
    hours just to survive! It also takes time before you
    begin to turn a profit.

    - Long hours! The prevailing myths that home business
    owners sleep in, watch daytime TV, and generally have
    a 'relaxed' lifestyle are generally not true. Most home
    business owners work far more than the typical 40-hour
    work week.

    It takes all types of people to run the world... not
    everyone is meant to run a business, and not everyone will
    flourish when working a job. Decide what's right for *you*
    - and then set out to achieve it.


    About the Author

    Angela is the editor of Online Business Basics, a practical
    guide to building a profitable Internet business on a
    beginner's budget. Visit her online at
    http://onlinebusinessbasics.com/article.html

    ...

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