Staying motivated in the cloister of a home workplace -- juggling family and customer commitments and buffering a toddler's whine from the bottom line -- are issues facing every home-based business owner.
Another critical issue facing stay-at-home business owners is how to stay in touch with critical contacts.
"Networking For the Lone Wolf" is the message that Beverley Williams, president of the American Association of Home-Based Businesses Inc., will focus on in a speech Nov. 12 to the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce.
The lecture, a "Water Cooler Talk" program, begins at 8 a.m. at Summit Hills Country Club, 236 Dudley Road., Crestview Hills, and is expected to conclude by 9:30 a.m. Water Cooler Talk is a discussion session targeting the needs of home-based business owners with topics and expert advice. It occurs monthly.
Ms. Williams is a nationally recognized expert in the field of home-based businesses.
She led the formation of a national non-profit association and research institute for the benefit of home-based businesses and has been a home-based business guest on CNBC's Money Wheel. For more information, contact the chamber at 291-5000. The program costs $10, and a continental breakfast will be provided. The Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce is the largest volunteer business organization in Northern Kentucky. It has a membership of 1,800 firms.
Web site aids small offices
Companies that have a small-office environment have a new resource available on the Internet.
Mail Boxes Etc., a wholly owned subsidiary of U.S. Office Products Co., in conjunction with IBM and Infoseek, have introduced MBE OnlineTM, an Internet site designed to provide services for the small-office - home-office market.
At www.mbe-online.com, the user will find free advice on sales and marketing resources, business opportunities, human resources direction, personal investment and retirement.
Infoseek, hosting the home page of MBE Online, has linked small-business topics to content on Infoseek.com for quick access to information. MBE-branded Internet access kits to allow surfing on the World Wide Web cost $19.95.
Business bookshelf
From Investing for Retirement by Deirdre Martin (Avon; $12.50) and a chapter about getting a new full-time job: "To maximize your chances of landing the salary you want, follow these three simple rules: Never accept a job immediately, realize there are things other than money involved, and don't be the first to spit out a dollar figure."
John Eckberg
