Harry Lin is the CEO of a four-person small business. In the year since starting the company, he and Lottay.com founder Andrew Elliott have been co-working with several other small businesses in southern California.

Co-working has been critical to the success of Lottay—helping them to forge new business opportunities, drive creative thinking, and tap knowledge and technical resources that they would otherwise be unable to afford.

Here’s what Harry has to say about the benefits of co-working and why more entrepreneurs and small businesses should consider doing it…

· A new business is about trying to create Something out of Nothing. Re-inventing the wheel, then, is a complete waste of time and precious resources. Being co-located with other entrepreneurial companies allows us to share learnings and advice so that we don’t do that.

· If you are a true tech entrepreneur, you are a bit crazy and kind of lonely (and if you don’t understand why that’s true, you aren’t an entrepreneur). Shared office space with fellow entrepreneurs, then, might sound like a stint at the lunatic asylum—but the camaraderie is sanity-producing. Really.

· Many successful SMBs jump-started their businesses through partnerships with established companies. The thing about being co-located with other new SMBs is that none of you is an “established company,” yet the temptation to work together is natural. Avoid that temptation if what your startup really needs is an established company partnership.

Good stuff, Harry. Can co-working work for your business? Another option is to seek out executive suites. They tend to be less collaborative and interactive, but still get the home officer out of the home office and into the wider world. They’re great for teleworkers, too.

Search Chief Home Officer or the Web for “Executive suites” to learn more.

Terri Lonier with Working Solo recently opined on her Biggest Do-Over Wish – the “one thing I would have done differently in my business, if I could turn back the clock.”

Bruce Turkel's presentation to the Illinois Governor's Tourism Council was transformed into a MindMap by LooseTooth.com

Her thoughts were similar to mine: knowing early in our career more about cash flow, being able to make painful business decisions more quickly, becoming a better judge of character and trustworthiness, or losing one’s timidity.

Her one true regret, though, is the one I think I’ve mastered over the past two years: “I wish I had kept a single source of all my contacts.”

Entrepreneurs meet great people. As a journalist, I meet countless A-List people – sometimes a dozen or more in a week, especially when reporting is particularly resource-laden or quote-intense (and this doesn’t include if I’ve gone out to an event or networking session). I’ve met C-Suite dwellers and their mid-level marketing people who actually make things happen. I’ve met savvy entrepreneurs and impressive pioneers, like Terri, who are new business’s leading edge.

Her lament long has been my own: Where to put all those names and juicy details?

I wrote an article once on that topic: Where to stash all the rich data and otherwise memorable snippets that we amass, when there’s no logical place to house it. Professor Dumbledore from Harry Potter fame would use a Pensive.

Today, in an increasingly mobile workplace, the Contacts mandate is: Seek Ubiquity.

I used to use a Palm Pilot. I once had a single Word document with all my contacts. I even had two Rolodexes. Until recently I used Act!, the powerful contact manager. It’s especially effective because users can input Notes from conversations; notes even include dates and subsets of data. Others I know use sales-oriented software like Goldmine. The solution is no single app and is as varied as the user(s).

My solution today: Google Contacts (part of Gmail, actually). Ubiquity found.

Once my data has been stashed in Contacts, it automatically syncs with my BlackBerry (also works with iPhones, Windows smart phones, Android phones – the lot).

I’ve even gotten into the habit of putting household info into GContacts. Our favorite restaurants, the hockey rink, the vet, the kids’ orthodontist, the local Enterprise Rental Car location, all go into Contacts. That way, they’re always close at hand. This way, for example, if I’m on my way home from a business meeting and nothing’s been planned for dinner, I’ll call in an order, pick it up en route, and deliver dinner without missing a beat.

And because they’re in the Cloud (and my smart phone), they’re there when I need them – no matter where I am. There’s that ubiquity again.

I’ve tried to convince my kids to get off AOL mail and Hotmail and turn instead to GMail. With apps like Contacts, Sync and others, it simply will be more purposeful in their lives as cloud-based data becomes more prevalent and necessary. Add Picasa, Documents and other tools, and their experience truly will be cloud-borne.

Because our contacts and associated information can (and should) blossom, make sure you have enough memory to accommodate that growing list. My BlackBerry has a one gigabyte microSD card to complement its onboard memory.

Gather those contacts. Make a home for them. Update them constantly. Then harvest them to broaden your network and the influence others can play in your life. Or, as Terri concludes…

“So if you’re in the early years of your solo business, mark my words: treasure those contacts, and keep your data in as few spots as possible – preferably one! The social networks we weave as soloists are crucial to our success, on multiple levels. And to stay connected, you need to have the contact details of those you want in your life.”

Is this the time of year where you are enjoying your golf game because the reports you just printed out from your well organized QuickBooks software program are meaningful and your’re sending a back up copy to your accountant for her to do your taxes?

Or are you pulling your hair out (as usual) realizing you are not even close to understanding the box of receipts, bank statements, credit card stubs, etc that sit before you?

Ted Deret with Deret Financial Services chooses Golf. Read why…

Avoid tax-time headaches with these organizational tips.

Tax season has hit full on. It’s time to get organized not only for preparation of your 2009 income taxes but to get rolling on 2010. The agony of compiling tax data last-minute can be cut considerably by employing a few organizational skills.

Pack up 2009. You’ve got to clear the way for 2010, which means you have to make room. Get 2009 out of there. I store my vendor files, appointment book, and bank records in a plastic tub marked with the tax year. Some files are considered permanent and remain in the office: Insurance policies, capital asset files, investment accounts, real estate and capital improvement files, to name a few.

Shred older files. But beware! The IRS requires that you retain records for certain periods of time depending on the type of paperwork. You will need to produce bank statements and receipts if you are audited. Go to www.irs.gov and look at publication 583 for records retention guidelines. You should keep copies of income tax returns for one year more than the IRS dictates if you live in a state that levies an income tax. The state’s audit period is generally that much longer than the IRS’ audit period. Tax returns that generate carry forwards, such as a big stock loss that isn’t used up in one year or a net operating loss–actually, any tax return with items that affect future years, should be kept indefinitely.

Track mileage. If you use your vehicle for business, mark your beginning odometer reading in your appointment book under January 1. Go to the page for Dec 31, 2010 and make a note to get your ending odometer reading. The IRS asks for your total mileage on the tax return. This year let’s give them an accurate figure. Throughout the year, mark down your business destinations to document the business usage of your vehicle.

Collect 2009 Documents. If you didn’t do this at the beginning of last year, create income tax files for both 2009 and 2010. Mine is bright red. Throughout the year as taxable transactions occur, I collect all documents in the file. When you receive third-party reporting documents such as 1099s, K-1s, W2s, 1098s, etc., file them away immediately. You’ll also use this file to keep receipts for tax deductible transactions throughout the year. This will make data compilation much easier–just grab the file, a back up of your QuickBooks data, and head out to your tax pro.

Go Digital — Go Green. If you haven’t yet done so already, it’s time to drag your bookkeeping system into the 21st century by purchasing accounting software. Most packages, such as QuickBooks are very simple for the non accounting professional to use. Tax return preparation, financial and tax planning are simplified because of the comprehensive reports generated by a decent accounting program.

Going digital is also a good way to green your business. I realized a year or two ago that whenever a client calls with a question about his books, I don’t pull a hard copy from the filing cabinet; I view it on the computer screen instead via remote access. So why bother having paper processes? Now is the time to have it all on your hard drive. Beware: A computer crash can wipe out everything. It’s important to implement a regimented back up routine which.

Learn more from The Certified QuickBooks Advisors at Deret Financial. Call (877) 337-3807 or (561)252-0136, or via email at info@tpderet.com .

Imagine the serenity of a home office — light music (NOT corporate-approved muzak) in the background, silence from which to ply one’s trade, idyllic like some cubicle farm-dweller can only dream of having.

What turns this serene, productive home office into a negative working environment? Noise. From Whether it is loud neighbors, rush hour traffic or the return of excited kids from school, noise hurts productivity and blocks creativity.

How can you curb the cacophonic chaos? Sound proofing.Among traditional solutions are door sweeps, which cover the bottom of the door to keep air and noise from entering or escaping; sound-proofing panels, like those from Auralex, which are used in music studios and rehearsal spaces; carpeting on the floor, to muffle sound; wall art or baffles, which also absorb sounds.

Another produce, Green Glue, is a noise-proofing compound that’s an eco-friendly viscoelastic compound that is easily applied between layers of drywall to ensure best-in-class soundproofing at the lowest cost among competing products.

A home office is one place where peace and quiet is a must. A DIY renovation on a home office using Green Glue noiseproofing compound can be done in an afternoon for $350, plus the cost of drywall, for the average 20 by 20 foot home office. One layer of Green Glue soundproofing compound sandwiched between a layer of drywall or other building material will decrease the sound transmission by up to 90 percent; using it on both the floors and ceiling will dissipate sound energy even further.

STC (or Sound Transmission Class) is the industry measurement system used to determine the degree to which a wall can stop sound transmission. The higher the STC level, the lower the amount of sound transmission and the quieter the room. Walls containing one layer of drywall typically register an STC level of 33-36. An application of Green Glue and an additional layer of drywall will improve the STC score to 45 or higher.

By Brian Ravnaas, Technical Innovation Manager at The Green Glue Company

By Yori Galel

An entrepreneur working from a home office, a five-person startup or even a modest medium-sized business, is often on the defensive, having to prove to prospects and potential partners that it has the requisite capabilities to handle their business and meet their requirements.

Even teleworkers and telecommuters can benefit from occasional “touch-down” space beyond both the corporate and home office.

A “virtual office” is a perfect solution, providing small business owners with a means of presenting a polished corporate face to the public – without requiring a physical office or additional staff and the associated expense (rent, maintenance, equipment, salaries). A standard virtual office provides a corporate phone number, as well as voice and fax support.

At a bare minimum, it gives the impression you have offices and staff at key locations across the country.

Today’s more sophisticated virtual office provides live receptionists to professionally handle all in-bound calls, a corporate mailing address, and email access to voice mail and fax services. From an operational standpoint, it allows you to attend to more business-critical tasks and more efficiently allocate your resources and time. It also lets you to expand almost over night into other markets.

These offices also provide SOHOs and SMBs with a credible corporate posture and presence, making them far more attractive vendors and business partners.

Since CES Virtual Offices was established in 1997, other providers have entered the market, including ABCN, Davinci Virtual, United Virtual Office, and A Virtual Office.

What should you look for when evaluating a virtual office:

- How quickly after sign-up are you up and running on the system?

- Do they in fact provide live receptionists as opposed to simply automated voice services — and is this a dedicated attendant?

- Are all the services listed included in your monthly bill or are there “surprise” add-ons for faxes or calls beyond your monthly allotment?

- Do your offices provide coverage in areas critical to your business, i.e., from New York to South Florida?

For as little as $99 a month, a virtual office can be the perfect alternative to conventional office space, helping small businesses level the playing field, enabling them to legitimately expand their footprint and reach with little overhead or outlay, project a viable corporate presence, and successfully compete against larger companies.

Yori Galel is CEO of CES Virtual Offices.

How will this change the landscape? Have we witnessed a dramatic shift in computing styles?

Yes, and no. I’ve used an HP Tablet for years, and truly appreciate the amenities it offers that the iPad lacks (card and USB slots, keyboard, etc.). The debate comes down to whether the iPad / tablet is for computing or consuming. Here’s the take from Frank Dickson, VP, Mobile Internet at research firm In-Stat…

“Well, here it is a couple of weeks later, and we are all having our iPad hangover as it seems like everyone one from CNBC to Sesame Street has had something to say about the iPad. (OK, maybe not Sesame Street, but you get the idea). Now it makes sense to talk about the bigger picture: the new tablet market that Apple seems to have created (or re-created if you are old enough to remember the failed past attempts).

iPads and Tablets as Computing Devices

Clearly, the iPad will give a big boost to the tablet category, thanks to Apple’s powerful marketing machine, just as the iPhone gave a big boost to the smartphone category. However, an important difference between the iPhone and iPad is that the iPhone was a breakthrough product that’s hard for competitors to improve upon. The iPad is not quite so marvelous.

A tablet is not quite PC; however, it seems to be much more than a smartphone. Limitations of the iPhone that are considered palatable compromises may not be as well received in the tablet space. The iPad seems to be a bigger iPod Touch. Here are some of its limitations:

The iPad has a great screen for viewing digital photos and videos — bigger than most digital picture frames — but it lacks a built-in SD card slot. Even lower-priced netbooks have an SD slot. With the iPad, you’ve got to buy and carry an external adapter.

The iPad is a crossover device between smartphones and PCs, but it lacks USB ports, impeding the transfer of music, videos, and other files back and forth on USB flash drives. Gotta buy and carry another external adapter.

The iPad’s portability, large screen, and thin design would make it an excellent platform for videophoning and teleconferencing, but it lacks a webcam and telephony. More accessories to buy and carry.

The OS is a throwback to the 1980s. It doesn’t multitask, and apps are limited to small amounts of memory.

The iPad is a great web multimedia platform, except it doesn’t play Adobe Flash.

And so on…

In sharp contrast with the iPhone, companies looking to compete with the iPad can do so with a lot less effort. Apple has left plenty of room for improvement.

While it is true that the iPad leverages the iPhone development community, other mobile operating systems are building development communities and app stores, too. And they tend to have development models that are more open than Apple’s.

iPad and Tablets as “Consumption Devices”

In all fairness, even if competitors improve on the iPad, it may not be a relevant point. Remember that thing called an iPod? Now how hard was that to copy? It didn’t even have an FM radio until recently.

It is important to note that a tablet is a unique device that will develop a unique usage model. People use computing devices for two main purposes: to create things or to consume things. Creators write programs, compose Word documents, send e-mail, and make spreadsheets, presentations, graphics, web pages, etc. These functions usually require a full-fledged PC. The Wintel platform dominates this area.

But there are also many consumers who create very little. These people might read e-books, watch videos, view photos, browse websites, catch up with friends on Facebook, and read other people’s Word files, spreadsheets, and presentations. These people no longer need a PC to do what they want. This is where the iPad and other tablets shine. This is also where explosive growth is occurring.

The iPhone (and other smartphones) push the bounds on how much you can do without being a full-fledged “creator.” The PC isn’t dead, for most things, but it does seem that we are becoming comfortable with tools that are mobile, to the point where the PC is becoming less important for many tasks. Maybe you’ll always need a PC to build a Powerpoint presentation, but you certainly don’t need one to view a Powerpoint presentation.

The Bigger Picture: New Devices to Sell

Whether Apple wins or not, the bigger picture is that there are going to be a lot of new devices to sell. The potential unit Total Available Market (TAM) for Tablets is about 50 million in 2014. This creates a potential semiconductor opportunity of over $4.1 billion in 2014. Even more important than the sheer size of the market is that the opportunity in tablets is complementary to other mobile devices, particularly smartphones and netbooks.

More information on the outlook for the internet tablet market, comparison to other mobile devices, key technologies and players, estimated bill of materials, and component TAMs are available in the new In-Stat report,“The Rise of the Internet Tablet: The Keys to Success” (#IN1004604WH). The report covers the worldwide market for Internet tablets.

Laura Motta, writing onEveryDayHealth.com, has some ideas to de-stress you in life and work…

“I’ve lived with stress, I think, for most of my life. Whether I was fretting over an algebra test, or frantically rushing to memorize lines for a school play, it has driven me to madness since I was too young to know what the word meant.

“Now that I’m old enough to have read all those scary studies about how stress negatively impacts my health, I’ve developed my own little stress management plan. It’s not exactly an organized plan, or a consistent one. But that’s just how stressed out people operate. They grab bits and pieces of relief when they can. Here are some things I’ve tried, and occasionally succeeded at:

- Get on the Mat. OK, so I’m not very good at yoga. But like my very democratic, exceptionally flexible instructor always says, It’s not about doing it well. It’s about doing it, period. I leave the studio feeling limber and focused and a little more aware of how my body carries stress.

- Turn Down the Tunes. I love music, but I have a rule for stressful days: I shut off the bouncy stuff completely. I even have iPod mixes labeled things like “Chilled Out” and “Extremely Calm.” This sounds like a no-brainer, but it can be tempting to host your own headbangers ball on high-stress days. In fact, I used to rationalize that loud, angsty music was cathartic. Now that I’m something other than 16 years old, however, I’ve made friends with Frank Sinatra’s mellow period.

- Get Organized. So not all of us are Martha Stewart. You don’t, however, need a drawer of alphabetized cookie cutters to maintain organization in your life. Clean up one thing today. Clear off the top of your desk. Empty one box. Sort through one pile. Sometimes mastering my stress is mostly about mastering my stuff. Pick one chaotic mess a day and work on it for 15 minutes. After a week, you’ll be shocked at how many things you’ll cross of your To Do list.

- Be Lazy. And even better, give yourself permission to be lazy. Pick one day a month and completely cross it off your calendar. Don’t book appointments. Don’t answer your phone. Make the day totally, utterly yours. Need help scheduling this time? Ask your siblings, neighbors or friends for help with the kids or the chores. Today is your lazy day.

- Let Someone Pamper You. As a modern woman, you are completely capable of filing your own nails and mailing your own dinner. Every once in a while, let someone else do it. Manicures and pedicures are my not-so-guilty pleasure, but maybe for you it’s a tension-busting massage or a great haircut. Sure, you can do it all at home, but you’re letting go of the control this time, remember? Book the appointment now!

The following is a commentary from RemoteEmployment (Skype ‘remoteemployment’) on the growth of outsourcing as a home-business opportunity — and how companies can capitalize on the trend.

First things first: what do we mean by outsourcing? Put simply, it’s an agreement between a company and a third-party or external partner to pass on responsibility for managing elements of business process and infrastructure…

According to analyst firm Gartner, the global IT outsourcing market was $253 billion 2008, with spending rising to a third of all IT spend in the same period. IT and communications are ideal for outsourcing, as they are vital parts of a business but not necessarily core competencies.

Sadly, doubts about outsourcing still linger, so we’ve decided to debunk a few myths and, in the process, set you on course for change…

1. Outsourcing is a risky, immature concept rife with pitfalls for pioneers
Traditionally, a company’s entire IT assets and processes would be outsourced on big multi-year deals. Sometimes these partnerships ran smoothly, but often they resulted in firms struggling to get out of constricting contracts. By contrast, modern outsourcing partners have learnt that shorter contracts and flexible terms dictated by the customer result in more productive, successful relationships. Early ‘get-out clauses’ are also common. This shift in practice has been described as ’smartsourcing’, delivering a secure, mature and dynamic strategy that could rapidly revolutionise your business.
2. Outsourcing will alienate and de-skill my IT staff, resulting in job losses
‘It certainly used to be the case that getting internal IT staff to support the idea of outsourcing was like asking turkeys to get excited about Christmas, but that’s all in the past,’ says Marcus Hill, a business development director at BT. Today, outsourcing the more mundane parts of the IT system makes sense. Internal IT teams have more vital projects, including managing future technology projects, to spend their time on. Hill says: ‘Smart outsourcing is about moving people from routine network management to more specialised and involving areas of IT.’
3. My company will lose some control and be less flexible and dynamic
Modern agreements give firms as much control as they want, with agreed levels of control shared by the outsourcer. It’s a matter of providing sufficient flexibility through robust service level agreements. IT networks, data centres, storage servers, even data applications, might be critical to a business, but they don’t outwardly differentiate a company from competitors. The key to ’smartsourcing’ is in deciding what’s vital for your organisation to focus on, and what could (transparently to your customers) best be managed out of house.
4. Basically, it’s all about cutting costs – that’s the measure of success
Saving money is certainly among the main reasons for turning to outsourcing, but it isn’t everything. One attraction is freeing a firm from the functional responsibilities of technology provision, and rediscovering the time and resources to focus on core business processes. It will also ensure that IT service levels for clients and employees improve. Also significant, especially for those trading internationally, is the need to comply with legislation in managing customer data. Even companies trading solely within the UK will be relieved to see this governance met by their outsource partner.
5. Total outsourcing can be the answer to all organisational woes
Outsourcing may not be right for every company but most organisations have at least some areas that would benefit from it. In most cases, our customers initially outsource the management and operation of their wide and local area data and voice networks. Next are services such as converged voice/data networks, messaging servers, data storage, through to applications. Each firm must draw a line to match its business needs. Hill explains: Why not ask someone else to run your IT for you and allow yourself to concentrate on your core business?’
For more resources on Outsourcing for Small Businesses

From selecting the right space, to home office furniture, small business technology, outsourcing, tax issues, even working from home with kids around, you’ll find what you need. Even if you’ve been a home-based entrepreneur or teleworker for a while, we promise some tips that can help polish your set up.

Have a tip or question? Send it along via Comments below, or directly to me at jeff [at] chief home officer dot com.

Today’s topic: Finding your space.

Once upon a time, the kitchen or dining room table were the de facto workspace for many home officers. Today, with low prices for office furniture – and high expectations from clients and coworkers back in the corporate space, working in the household’s “public” space doesn’t cut it. It invites distraction, which in turn reduces focus and productivity.

Instead, discover your Great Space. The unused bedroom or other room with a door that closes is the Gold Standard of home offices. Done wisely, if the room is used exclusively and regularly as a home office, it may qualify with the IRS for tax deductibility. We’ll also explore some pitfalls for some of the commonly used spaces in the single-family residence or apartment – and how to overcome them.

- A unused bedroom. This space becomes the perfect office. Yours to design and use as you like, it becomes the home officer’s true “Office.” Use the closet for storage; install shelves on the walls to make additional space for books – and especially knickknacks that personalize your space.

- A nook beneath the stairs. We’re not talking Harry Potter’s place at No. 4 Privet Drive. This can be a fully functional and comfortable office, with a suitable desk, shelving. If wired for power and lighting, (The Internet and phones can be connected wirelessly, reducing or eliminating the need for additional wiring to be snaked to the space). Hang a curtain to hide the space when you’re not “In the Office.”

- The basement. This can be another perfect – and personalized – home office. Right under the feet of the family, it’s away from the hurried hustle of daily life.  Pitfalls, of course, can be poor lighting and insufficient air circulation or heating in the winter. If sunlight via windows cannot be improved, bring in additional lighting. Use “full spectrum” light bulbs to mimic natural light. Paint the walls bright colors; ditto for the choice of colors for furnishings. Avoid the drab and dreary. As for beating poor circulation or cold temperatures, it’s not a matter of simply putting on a sweater and socks. Poor circulation can increase allergens, and a cold workspace can thwart the desire to work. If possible, reduct the space to improve the air flow or circulation. Bring in an oscillating tower fan with a built-in filter to help remove dust and improve flow.

- A corner of a great (or greater) room. Often the only space is a common space. So make it less communal. Placing a desk in the corner of a larger room – like a den, living room or master bedroom – is rife with pitfalls. But you can make it more personal and less susceptible to the noise and distraction of the room at large (while also making your work habits – like talking on the phone or tap-tapping on the keyboard – less of a nuisance to those around you. A row of potted plants, a shelving unit (or two), a portable panel or Japanese Shoji screen, or other barrier can make the space more private. Work with the family (assuming you don’t live alone) to invite feedback as to how to make this arrangement work.

With any of these spaces, if they are used regularly and exclusively as a home office, they may qualify for tax deductibility with the IRS. This means no using the home office as a place to store winter clothes; and it cannot be a guest room when out-of-town visitors arrive. Consult IRS Publication 587 to learn more.

Finding your Great Home Office Space isn’t impossible. Sometimes, it’s literally right in your view – or under your feet.

How's your home office view?

Shared space seem all the rage. For very little investment, home officers or teleworkers can office space on an as-needed basis. Here’s an example from WalletPop. Looking for an executive suite or other temp office location? Check out FutureOffices.com.

Travel Agent Central.com had a look at empowering home-based travel agencies. As the economy recovers, and as large agencies jettison employees, work-at-home alternatives are popping up. Looking for a great, self-employed position — one that will put you on the fast track to all sorts of travel-related perks and pricing? The travel biz might be right.

As always, home office taxes and reporting are important to remember. Read this piece from the Rapid City Journal on home office taxes. In fact, find a CPA or tax advisor who knows the nuance of home office taxes and deductions. You can save money – and headaches.

Now that your taxes are in order, what about your home office? Organization is vital to keeping your sanity when working from home. Click and scroll down to see some home office tips in this piece from the San Jose Mercury on home organization.

Since many home officers have to market their businesses, and many of those are online, learn some Web marketing savvy. South Florida Business Journal Web Tools Article.