
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">I recently realized that I have been a person ahead of my times. ; I have worked from my home since 1975. ; I find it almost impossible to believe that it was 47 years ago that I first set up an office in my basement family room. ; I had one phone and a table lamp on a dropleaf table. In terms of equipment, I had a portable manual typewriter and a cheap copying device that used a light bulb to make copies on heat-sensitive paper.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">In the seven times I moved in subsequent years, the new domicile had to have room for a real workspace – including a private office, staff area and conference room. ; Of course, my office equipment upgraded to multi-function copiers, computers, tractor-feed printers, video equipment and multiple phones with multiple lines. ; The workforce later included my wife, two or three permanent staffers, part-timers, interns and outside contractors.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Thanks to Skype, I could hold conversations and virtual meetings with folks anywhere in the world. ; When I started the business, a brief call to China was extremely difficult and very costly. ; With the new technology, I could talk to a Chinese business associate – face-to-face – for unlimited time at no cost.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">It now seems that the Covid Pandemic has forced a surge in “working at home.” ; But it does take a certain amount of discipline – and is not right for all people in all employment situations.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">I found that it required a designated workspace away from the main family environment. ; It was as much psychological as physical – although a place with a door is best. ; In my case it was more expansive than most because it was the center of my business with staff, clients and others coming and going.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Since space was limited, I ran my business on a project management basis. ; I would hire from outside whatever human resources I needed to complete a project. ; In one case, I had more than 400 people on my “payroll” – well actually the client’s payroll.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">I made the decision to keep the enterprise at home for several reasons. ; The first was personal. ; I liked being around the kids. ; I would see them after school – maybe even taking a break to go out for ice creams or a matinee movie. ; I was almost always home for dinner. ; I could read them bedtime stories and return to the office for a couple of hours. ; It was just a different way to slice up the hours.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The other major reason was cost. ; Since soliciting clients is very competitive, I could offer lower rates to clients based on my low overhead. ; Many times over the course of years, I beat out major consulting firms based on rates. ; I was a very small company with a lot of very large clients.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Then there’s the joy of almost never facing rush-hour traffic. ; I could be in my office within minutes of getting out of bed. ; I laughed when the Census Form asked my commute time each day. I put down “one minute.”</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">There was also an ancillary benefit for the kids. ; They had immediate access to all the supplies and machinery they would need for any assignment – multi-color paper, pencils, notebooks, glue, tape, folders, binding machines. ; They turned out some very impressive school report and creative projects. ; Occasionally, I would “hire” them to help out – like stuffing envelopes (before email) or making multiple copies.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Another advantage is the dress code. ; If I did not have any meeting on the schedule or was heading to a luncheon, my basic attire was Levis and a t-shirt. ; I was ahead of Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk by decades.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Right now, I am sitting in the home-office writing this commentary – looking out my window at the beautiful … oh … it’s raining.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">I can well understand why so many workers, who have been operating from home because of the Pandemic, are reluctant to go back to the office.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">So, there ‘tis.</p>

Horist: Working from home has been my life
