by Daniel Kittell | COVID-19, News, Resources
More people are working remotely now more than ever, and the change from office to home might have proven to be a surprising adjustment. The flexibility that comes with working from a home office is a definite advantage, but staying focused, motivated, and disciplined might be challenging. Throw into the mix a significant other who’s also working from home and kids and pets, and your day can quickly veer off track. Below are some tips to help your days be more productive.
Designate a Workspace
Designate a specific area in your home to get work done. If you don’t have a home office, take over a spare bedroom or another space that can offer some privacy—even a closet can be converted into a workspace. Having this space dedicated to your workday will help you stay mentally focused. Make sure this space is equipped with the equipment and tools you’ll need on hand during the day, such as a computer, high-speed Internet connection, any office supplies, and sufficient light. If you find your designated space wholly uninspiring, spruce it up with some artwork, potted plants, a rug, etc.
Set Structure and Boundaries
With all household members in close quarters, it’s crucial to set boundaries. Set up and maintain working signs and cues (i.e. close the door when on a phone call and use timers for the kids to set designated not-to-be-disturbed work time). Also be sure to set a consistent working schedule so you’re not tempted to be pulled away throughout the day by non-work related chores and requests. To keep your workflow moving, create a to-do list each day with specific and achievable tasks and deadlines, with the most important at the top. Whatever you don’t get done, put at the top of your list for the next day. Finally, treat your weekdays just as you did before. This includes waking up at the same time every day and getting dressed in the morning. Don’t roll out of bed and lug your laptop onto the couch and expect to have a productive day.
Stick to Schedules with Children
Some schools are getting back in session as early as later this month, and many parents are opting for digital learning or homeschooling. If you have school aged children, staying organized during this time is crucial. Attempt to replicate the schedule of a typical school day, with designated breaks for lunch and “recess”. If you have younger kids, the bulk of your work may need to get done during naps or quiet time. If your partner is also working from home, try splitting the day between the two of you, so one is “on shift” with the kids in the morning and the other in the afternoon. It might take some trial and error to find what works for your family, but once you find a good fit, be sure to stick to it.
Overcommunicate
Communication is more critical when working remotely, and needs to happen more frequently. Be sure to consistently reach out to managers and colleagues, and know what’s expected of you. Being proactive on this front will help you define weekly goals and build more sustainable relationships with coworkers. If you’re managing a team, be sure to bring everyone in on conversations so no one feels out of the loop, and everyone knows about assignments, deadlines, and various moving parts. If you do this regularly, it can be handled more as a casual check-in rather than a big formal meeting.
Take Breaks and Make Time for Creative, Physical, and Mental Health
This is a stressful time for everyone, so it’s even more critical to take care of your creative, physical, and mental health. Anyone who’s worked at home for a while will tell you that it’s possible for hours can go by without even realizing it when you’re lost in the work. Aside from the fact that sitting for excessively long periods of time can lead to back and neck pain, it also isn’t healthy for your mind. Be sure to take breaks, go for walks, exercise, and get into a creative project or hobby.
by Pete McAllister | Accounting News, IRS, QuickBooks, Tax, Uncategorized
By Eric Zeman InformationWeek
July 25, 2011 05:20 PM
Intuit on Monday launched QuickBooks Mobile for Android smartphones. This new mobile software allows small and midsize businesses to more effectively control and manage their invoicing processes.
With QuickBooks installed on their Android smartphone, business owners can perform a wide range of actions right from their device without the need to find a PC. QuickBooks Mobile for Android can be used to create estimates, manage invoices, and view customer details. Further, the application syncs in the background with QuickBooks, which gives mobile professionals the most up-to-date information no matter where they happen to be.
Intuit says that QuickBooks Mobile was designed with SMBs in mind, as they often need as much flexibility as possible when it comes to performing work functions out of the office. With QuickBooks Mobile for Android, SMBs can stay connected to their business with quick access to customer and sales information, save time by checking customer balances and creating estimates on-the-go, and be more productive by invoicing at the job site without having to go back to the office.
“The majority of small and medium-sized business owners feel that staying connected through wireless devices is critical to the success of their business,” said Dan Wernikoff, vice president and general manager, in a statement. “As the demand for mobile access continues to accelerate, we’re working to give customers the solutions they need most so they can save time and make money wherever their business takes them.”
QuickBooks Mobile for Android is available for free to current QuickBooks Online subscribers. It also is available via subscription to QuickBooks Pro and Premier 2011 customers. QuickBooks Mobile is already available to Apple’s iPhone.
QuickBooks isn’t the first piece of software that Intuit has offered to the Android platform. In June, Intuit Financial Services introduced a mobile banking application that makes it easier for Android smartphone users to manage finances from their mobile devices. The application, which is targeted at consumers, lets users view account balances and transaction history, transfer funds, pay bills, and locate nearby ATMs and bank branches.
Intuit’s GoPayment, available to both the iPhone and Android platforms, allows SMBs to accept credit card payments anywhere, anytime. With it, Intuit offers a free card reader. Intuit charges a small fee per swipe, but there are no set-up or monthly fees, and no contracts.
One last SMB tool available for smartphones from Intuit is Online PayRoll. This application allows employers to pay employees with direct deposit or check, preview paychecks before approving, and view employee information and last payroll run report from their iPhone. Intuit hasn’t said if Online PayRoll will be made available to the Android platform.
With Monday’s release of QuickBooks Mobile, Intuit now has a whole suite of applications available to the SMB on Google’s Android platform.
At the 2011 InformationWeek 500 Conference, C-level executives from leading global companies will gather to discuss how their organizations are turbo-charging business execution and growth–how their accelerated enterprises manage cash more effectively, invest more wisely, delight customers more consistently, manage risk more profitably. The conference will feature a range of keynote, panel, and workshop sessions. St. Regis Monarch Beach, Calif., Sept. 11-13.
by Jean Miller | Accounting News, Uncategorized
I just had to post something about the benefits of working remotely! I have all of my “work stuff” spread out around my computer at home and needed to get some information from a client. Turns out that she is also working from home today! Because she has her company file hosted remotely, she is able to process invoices, payroll, and other daily tasks from the comfort of her home while the ice and snow pile up outside. Our firm also employs remote technology that enables us to access our workpapers and other documents so that when the weather (or creeping crud) prevents us from getting to the office, we can still be productive. There are so many applications available that are not only paperless, but integrate with QuickBooks and other accounting software. Many of these applications save time and money in the long run because they reduce data entry and redundancy.
If you are interested in learning more about hosted data services, or any other methods for working from multiple locations, give us a call. We would be happy to go over your options.Â
As a side note, if your QuickBooks file is sluggish or just getting unwieldy, we can help you get it in shape! And unlike having QuickBooks join Weight Watchers, you can normally see results in 24-48 hours!
