One of the main requirements of a business is an office. It is important that you are aware of how to set up an office when starting a business. Setting up an affordable home office in Sri Lanka is not that different from other countries. However, you must ensure that you have certain aspects in place. This ensures your working from home will go on without any complications. Starting any type of business should be lucrative in Sri Lanka now because of its booming economy. Businesses related to food, real estate, tourism, cement, textiles and information technology are expected to grow quickly. If you’re interested in any of these industries, your home office is likely to thrive. Here’s what you need to set up and affordable home office!
A Dedicated Space
When you’re reporting your home based business, it’s best to have a dedicated space to report to the tax authorities. There may be deductions available for people who have a dedicated space, but it’s best to check with a professional as laws do change periodically. You may have a separate room, a basement, or an entire wing of your office dedicated to your home office. The choice will depend upon what type of business you have and what you feel most comfortable in daily.
The location should also be quiet and free of distraction. Depending upon your work style, some people will add glass doors so family members will know when they are on another line or working to meet a deadline.
Select Office Furniture
There are several places to get new and used office furniture in Sri Lanka, but it depends on what will best suit your needs. If you’re in the market for new furniture, there are several warehouses and furniture stores available.
Ergonomics are a major concern when you’re working from home. You don’t want a hard wooden kitchen chair with no cushion, or it may put undue stress on certain parts of your body. Instead, you want an office chair with adjustable arms, height, lumbar support, and also, tilt. This will remove some of the strain from your body as you sit. Equally, you should also consider a desk with adjustable height. Many offices have both a standing desk and a sitting desk to make their office experience healthier and more comfortable.
If you have a small office, you may want a simple desk with a few drawers and a file cabinet. A larger desk may accommodate a fax machine, a printer, a computer, and file cabinets. Multiple people may be able to sit at a desk designed for multi-tasking and office equipment. When you buy office furniture, you may also include a conference table for meetings or larger projects if you have the space.
Many business owners consider buying office furniture from a used office furniture store in Sri Lanka. Buying used office furniture will lower your expenses and can often be just as nice as new office furniture if it’s refurbished and well-maintained.
Connect All Technology
To have a viable home office, you should set up your Internet for working online, phone lines, and fax lines. Whatever it is that you need to keep your office functional, you should invest in it. The good thing about Sri Lanka is that its telecommunication is cheap. So, your company will save money in this regard.
Select from one of the three fixed phone line services and select a phone handset that can handle multiple phone calls if necessary. One of the most cost effective phone line services includes Sri Lanka Telecom. LankaBell.lk and Suntel.lk are two other solutions to consider. If you want to take your business on the road, you can select from one of the five mobile service operators in the area.
Select Companies With Whom You Can Form Partnerships
A home office means that you won’t always have everything you need on premises. For instance, you may need a printing company for business cards or advertisements. Printonline.lk is one of the first ever online printing companies that offers a wide variety of services for start-up businesses.
Other Things to Consider
While this is not directly related to starting a home business, it is pertinent information for any business owner. Many people in Sri Lanka are well-educated, but not all people. The do, however, have a 97 percent literacy rate, and most people speak English. You should cater your business to meet the needs of all types of customers from different educational backgrounds.
When running a home business, it’s easy to become complacent about some rules. Keep in mind that not all Sri Lanka business people are trustworthy, which means you need to get all your deals in writing to ensure that you are not getting scammed.
Political strife can affect your business. Try to get to know political figures and ensure that you remain abreast of the political climate in Sri Lanka.
Steps for Starting Your Business in Sri Lanka
There are several steps for starting a business in Sri Lanka that should be considered. Whether your business is home based or a store front, you’ll still need to follow certain procedures to ensure that you are in accordance with the law. Here are the steps:
- Contact the Sri Lanka Board of Investment
- Devise a business proposal.
- Register your business with the appropriate government firm.
- Consult with a business professional before starting your business.
- Use the local media to promote your business ideas.
- Create an international demand for your services or your product.
- Analyze your revenue progress.
- Incorporate continuous improvement procedures.
Setting Up an Affordable Home Office
Setting up an affordable home office doesn’t have to be difficult, but it does require some prior knowledge and persistence to get it the way you want it. Of course, you want to make sure you have the right office equipment and furniture, but if you don’t set up the business properly, you’ll create more strife for yourself than necessary.
A home office can be beneficial to not only a business owner, but anyone who are engaged in working from home jobs and online part time jobs, too. So, review all the requirements for setting up a home office and do not hesitate to get a professional involved. It can save you time and money long term.
