The following are five ways in which you can improve your work-from-home (WFH) experience to make things a heck of a lot sweeter!

1. Know Your Company’s Policies- Working from home is one thing, but actually getting the work done is another. Obviously, if your boss trusts you enough to work from home, then he or she trusts you enough to know that you are reliable and will follow the usual business ethics to make sure that your work is done in a timely manner and in the way in which it was originally specified to you to be done. The last thing that you want to do is ruin that balance of trust with your employer, so always make sure that you go above and beyond to do your best.
2. Maintain Some Semblance of a Schedule- Just because you have the luxury of working from the comfort of your own home doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t keep up a regular work schedule. I’m not saying that you have to work a strict 9-5 schedule; but at the same time, you don’t really want to be working in a few hours here, a couple of minutes there and then the rest of your hours in the middle of the night. Keeping a rough schedule helps to keep you organized, and it also keeps your body trained to get work done during a certain time frame. Plus- it allows you to better set your schedule for doing other things such as, I don’t know, having a social life for starters!
3. Cut Out the Distractions- For me, this boils down to one of two things: my cell phone or Facebook. Whatever it is for you, get rid of it (at least while you are working). For instance, when I am hard at work, my cell phone is usually turned off or is turned to silent and placed in another room. As for the social networking sites, I usually have a schedule in front of me on one screen and my tasked work on another, which leaves very little wiggle room for social networking sites. In between work breaks, I will try to check my cell phone or relieve some of the work monotony by checking out the latest social media stuff.
4. Take Breaks and Get Out- I have a tendency to work for long blocks of time, which is not good for several reasons; the main one being that when I eventually peel myself out of my chair, my back is killing me and I suddenly realize that I’m starving. Some of the tendency for those of us who work from home is to shut ourselves indoor all day until we finish every last drop of work. You don’t have to do this! Breaking up your work day is a great way to stay fresh and on point so that work doesn’t begin to drag you down. Get out and go for a walk or head to the gym or meet up with a friend for lunch and then come back to your work. Schedule breaks for yourself!
5. Protect Your Computer- If you work from home, then you will no doubt want to invest in a secured internet connection to protect your wireless network. Also, make sure that you back up whatever files you are working on just in case the power goes out or there is inclement weather.

This week, in Business Etiquette in Brief, we’ll be taking a look at some professional image tips for the ladies.  That being said, there is a saying that says you should always strive to dress for the job that you want, not for the job you already have.  Now, in this day and age that could be good or bad.  Let’s take a look at what Ann Sabath suggests:

Suits- Typically, safe suit colors include navy, grey, taupe and black.  While brighter colors function a bit differently and aren’t disallowed, you still have to be careful with what your company will and will not allow.

Skirts- Skirts should be no shorter than slightly above the knee and fall no lower than just below mid-calf.  Mini-skirts or short skirts have no place in the professional environment. EVER.

Blouses- According to Sabath, the color of your blouse has a definite impact on your overall look.  Solid colors always work best and are typically the better investment.  Choose colors that won’t wash you out and which will look nice with whatever suit you’re wearing.

Hosiery- As a good rule of thumb, it is typically better to stick with skin-toned stockings or hosiery.

Shoes- If you can stand them, heels are always an acceptable (and preferred option) in the business/corporate world.  If you absolutely cannot withstand all that is involved in wearing high heels, a low heel or flat dress shoe is fine.  A solid color in leather will always look more professional, and the heel shouldn’t measure more than 2-3 inches in height.

Handbags/Briefcases- Again, it is always best to invest in leather accessories and try to stick to solid colors. If you’re going to carry a handbag as well as a briefcase, then you need to make sure that your handbag is significantly smaller than your  briefcase

Jewelry- Your choice in jewelry is a direct reflection of who you are as a person.  Whenever possible, try to match up your jewlery items. (i.e. whit gold on white gold).  As for earrings, long dangling earrings are not advised for a businesss setting nor are giant hooped earrings or anything else that may seem gaudy.  Remember that simple is always better!

Who

In this week’s reading of Business Etiquette in Brief, chapter 2 discusses ways that men can look professional during a job interview or at the workplace.  Let’s take a look:

8 Common Fashion Faux Pas

1. Always wear a long-sleeved shirt with a suit.
2. Make sure that your shirt gives the appearance of having been professionally pressed.
3. Be sure that the tip of your tie touches the top of your belt buckle.
4. Wear socks that reach mid-calf to avoid showing a flash of leg.
5. When wearing an American-cut jacket (single-breasted), button up when standing or walking.  If your jacket has two buttons, button the top one.  If it has three, button the center one.
6. When wearing a European-cut jacket (double-breasted), button all the buttons when standing or walking.
7. Resole shoes with badly worn heels.
8. Choose leather or metal watch bands.

Other Items in Question

Fabric- When choosing a men’s suit, it should go without saying that 100% wool blends are usually a good choice.  To double check the quality of the suite, gently squeeze the material between your hands.  If it wrinkles when you let it go, you should probably think twice about purchasing it, since it may require more  maintenance than you’re willing to commit to.  Remember; suits should always look crisp!

Shirts- Long-sleeved shirts are the way to go when it comes to business with white shirts portraying the most formal look.  And although many men do not wear undershirts, they should.  Three reasons for this include:

• Keeps a dress shirt from feeling itchy against the skin.
• Preserves the shirt from perspiration.
• Gives added body to a dress shirt.

Ties- Ties should be anywhere from 2 3/4 and 3 1/2 inches wide.

Jewelry- Jewelry should be kept to an absolute minimum.  A wedding band, class ring or other non-gaudy ring may be worn on the ring finger typically.  Additionally, a watch that blends best with business suits is one with a basic black leather or metal band.  Plastic or velcro should NEVER be worn unless you’re competing in a sport outside of the workplace.

Jackets- Business etiquette dictates that a jacket should only be removed when the person who has arranged the business meeting invites others to do so.

Pens- Believe it or not, a pen can speak volumes about your confidence and ability and are often viewed as an accessory to your outfit.  Therefore, you may want to invest in a high quality pen to complete your image.