Calis Beach and Fethiye Turkey Discussion Forum

General Topics => All things that have nothing to do with Turkey => Topic started by: Bluwise on April 06, 2014, 19:56:11 PM

Title: Work from home?
Post by: Bluwise on April 06, 2014, 19:56:11 PM
Just wondering if anyone on here works from home and what sort of work they do?
I have just made the decision to take voluntary redundancy from my job - it was that or lose my mind!  I couldn't take another year of sales gobbledegook , buzz words, pneumonics, team building, daft treasure hunts around London to see who is the dog's nuts and worst of all, having my personal time stolen to travel to ridiculous venues and not being paid for it - I'm too old to cope with all that ambition and testosterone.

I was made redundant after almost 20 years from my previous job in field marketing and moved into a sales management role and have hated just about every competitive minute of the 3 years here! 

I only plan to work for another 6 years to top my pension up but in that time, want to do something I can enjoy.  I don't mind putting the hours in and re-training but would like some say in when and where I work - I'm done with hotels and nights away  :(

 So, I thought I would ask you good people to see if I can pick up any ideas as there are so many people on here from many walks of life - my perfect job could be just a post away.   ;)
Title: Re: Work from home?
Post by: Menthol on April 06, 2014, 20:40:14 PM
You no doubt have accumulated some real expertise over your career and could advise others, so consultancy all the way, Sue. Bluwise Incorporated.
Title: Re: Work from home?
Post by: KKOB on April 06, 2014, 20:46:48 PM
Ah yes, consultants. Wonderful people.

They ask to borrow your watch. Tell you the time. Then try to sell your watch back to you.

 ;)

Title: Re: Work from home?
Post by: Highlander on April 06, 2014, 22:01:56 PM
I don't work from home bluwise and would not have the first idea of how to start.

Sorry.
Title: Re: Work from home?
Post by: Scunner on April 06, 2014, 22:28:57 PM
Valuable input there John.
Title: Re: Work from home?
Post by: Jacqui Harvey on April 06, 2014, 22:46:39 PM
When I started my business I approached the local council and they sent me on a couple of courses on running a business.  I then put in a business plan and eventually got an Enterprise Allowance for a year.  I was also given an adviser who was a retired Bank Manager.
I ran an Antiques Business obviously you don't want to do that, but when you decide on what you want to do, try the local council and see if there are grants.
Keep recorders of what you buy and sell and also keep all receipts.  If you run a business from home you can claim on your tax for heating, electricity etc.  Also if you use your car for your business you can claim for that too.
However, running a business from home can affect your household insurance and some companies will not cover you if you do run a business from home and some charge you more if you keep stock at home.  Same for car insurance you have to tell them if you use it for your business.  If you have customers to your home you have to get Public Liability Insurance.   Also, you have to get your neighbours permission for some businesses.
I knew a lady who started a sewing business from home and the neighbours complained about all the callers and she had to stop.
Good luck.
Title: Re: Work from home?
Post by: Highlander on April 06, 2014, 22:54:21 PM
"I knew a lady who started a sewing business from home and the neighbours complained about all the callers and she had to stop"

Stitched her up like a kipper Jacqui ?   :)

I am intriqued by that - any more details would be greatly appreciated.

Title: Re: Work from home?
Post by: Jacqui Harvey on April 06, 2014, 23:35:14 PM
The lady used to work in a shop in Peterhead with two other ladies doing sewing alterations.   They announced they were closing down.  The lady gave me a card with her number and said she would be working from home.
A couple of months later, she was serving in the Supermarket.  I asked her what had happened and she told me that the neighbours complained about her customers coming to the door, she had not applied for permission to run a business from her home and she had to cease and close the business.  I am assuming she may had lived in a council house, I know the council can be strict about businesses.  Although, when I started my business I had to ask the neighbours did they object even though we live on farm land and own our home.  The lane  running up to our place has two houses at the bottom and one half way up.
Title: Re: Work from home?
Post by: BernieTeyze on April 07, 2014, 02:10:56 AM
Market researcher sounds up your street bluewise. I did this a few years ago. Money isn,t bad either. You are usually self employed. Everybody wants summat for nothing. Not hard saying to 20 people try product a this week, product b the next. Fill in a form saying what u liked and what you didn,t. Post forms back to market research company by agreed date. It really is that simple. I found it enjoyable anyway and it kept the wolf from the door between jobs. Good Luck.
Title: Re: Work from home?
Post by: Bluwise on April 07, 2014, 06:35:29 AM
Thanks for the ideas folks - love the Bluewise Inc name Menthol, just need to think what I could consult on!

Appreciate you telling me all the points re business Jacqui, thanks.  I have been in business before, both retail and licensed trade and having a home office for my FM jobs, am aware of the tax allowances and various insurance implications.

Bernie, good idea re the Market Research thanks.  Both the FM companies I've worked for have 'tactical' divisions so whilst I am looking at options,  I will probably register for mystery shopping, auditing etc as I can do that 'as and when' rather than have a fixed contract. 

In an ideal world I would have an "on-line" job so I could spend more time in Calis and work while I'm there but realistically, I've thought about training in HR or something on those lines - need something to ignite some passion as my current job/employers managed to suppress all my drive and enthusiasm  >:(

Still, I've had some laughs trawling the various websites and realising I could have been earning thousands simply for sitting at home and completing surveys on line!
Title: Re: Work from home?
Post by: Bluwise on April 13, 2014, 10:31:46 AM
Just a quick update and to say thanks again for refreshing my thought process with your replies.
I will be starting my training in a few weeks as an Estate Planning Consultant (thanks Menthol) with a really professional company.  I chose be self-employed (cheers Jacqui) so can determine my hours (to a degree) and whilst i build my client base, could look into doing some tactical work (as slikmrs suggested - good idea Bernie)

I'm a bit nervous as having managed teams of sales people for 20 odd years and basically achieved through them, it's all down to me now to pass the exams and market my business.  Loads to learn but here goes……………...
Title: Re: Work from home?
Post by: davybill on April 13, 2014, 11:12:43 AM
Best of luck,Blue wise.
Title: Re: Work from home?
Post by: Bluwise on April 13, 2014, 11:17:41 AM
Thanks davybill -
Title: Re: Work from home?
Post by: Menthol on April 13, 2014, 20:04:50 PM
I'm sure you'll do a cracking job, Sue. Having worked for others and been self employed, self employed rocks every time.
You will, however, work harder than you have ever done before ......... the buck starts and stops with you.
Title: Re: Work from home?
Post by: nichola on April 13, 2014, 20:43:02 PM
All the very best with your new venture Bluwise   :)
Title: Re: Work from home?
Post by: Bluwise on April 14, 2014, 06:33:52 AM
Thank you both - appreciated.    :)
Title: Re: Work from home?
Post by: Lotty on April 14, 2014, 08:22:30 AM
An exciting time ahead Bluwise, good luck!  I'm sure you'll do very well! ;D
PS
Lovin your new avatar Nichola  :)
Title: Re: Work from home?
Post by: Jacqui Harvey on April 14, 2014, 09:24:34 AM
Good luck from me too Bluewise.  It's hard work being your own boss but very satisfying.   Let us know how you get on.
Title: Re: Work from home?
Post by: Bluwise on April 14, 2014, 10:39:50 AM
I will indeed - thanks all.
Title: Re: Work from home?
Post by: BernieTeyze on April 15, 2014, 16:03:36 PM
Any free samples will be appreciated by us all.:-)
Title: Re: Work from home?
Post by: JohnF on April 15, 2014, 16:50:40 PM
Just a quick update and to say thanks again for refreshing my thought process with your replies.
I will be starting my training in a few weeks as an Estate Planning Consultant (thanks Menthol) with a really professional company.

it's all down to me now to pass the exams and market my business.

I'm curious, what exams do you have to pass and what areas are you trained in - also, are you bringing a related skill set with you (e.g. banking, financial services, legal etc)?

JF
Title: Re: Work from home?
Post by: Bluwise on April 15, 2014, 17:48:52 PM
John,  Initially it will be the IPW exam (Institute of professional Will writers) and then the opportunity for Trust and Estate Practitioner qualifications further down the line -
meantime, any work I do is underwritten by the company and their legal department.  They won't be letting me loose straight away that's for sure!
Title: Re: Work from home?
Post by: JohnF on April 15, 2014, 18:47:48 PM
I'll be frank.  Over the past few years I've seen some of the problems caused by "will writers" when it comes to dealing with an estate.  On two occasions family members were involved and the protracted processes that had to be gone through to resolve numerous issues (by the solicitors who were acting as executors) beggars belief.  Some of the family members, not unexpectedly, found this an extremely upsetting time.

Both of these individuals (the will writers) were members of the various trade organisations and, at the time they were instructed, had the relevant industry insurances. 

Will writing is currently unregulated, despite campaigns by consumer groups and the Law Society of England and Wales - and they were campaigning for good reason. 

I wish you well finding home employment, but your current choice does not sit easy with me (doing my best to be diplomatic here).

JF


 
Title: Re: Work from home?
Post by: Bluwise on April 16, 2014, 08:42:00 AM
I understand your concerns John and share them with regard to some of the companies out there -
I was approached by a couple of people offering training in just a few days and at an enormous cost to me.  I have also met a representative in my home who had not the first clue about providing a service and clearly had no expertise.  The problems are certainly caused by these dabblers.
(The Company I am joining have been around for over 20 years and also receive introductions from several prominent Building Societies.  Their Chief Exec is Chairman of the IPW council and actively support ongoing campaigns to have Will writing regulated.)

My search for a 'work from home' job included many weird and wonderful opportunities that had me in stitches at the suggestion of how much could be earned by anyone with a pc and telephone.  I take my work seriously and once decided on a path I want to be amongst the best at what I do so will not be a part of any  'dabbling' in this and would walk away from any unprofessional practices.

After years of meetings for meeting's sake and driving all over the country each week,  I look forward to managing my own time for once.
Many people out there will justifiably share your concerns and that is something I will have to learn to overcome if I am to make a living from this…... but after working for a tobacco company for the past 3 years, I've learned to be resilient!
Title: Re: Work from home?
Post by: Bluwise on March 21, 2015, 09:04:30 AM
As it's approaching a year since I asked for your advice on here after choosing voluntary redundancy (rather than being pushed  :o)  I thought I would just post a quick update.

At first, I gratefully followed the suggestions on here but in a fairly short time, 2 of the 3 that I chose went belly-up as they were too similar to what I had escaped.  The third option, Estate Planning, is the one I have stayed with and it is actually a bit of a mix of all three options.

It was a very bumpy road for the first few months.  I had a much lower income and wondered at times, why I had walked away from the relative security and a regular salary.  I’m sure many people leaving a long term career do the same and a bit of panic sets in! 
I had also taken John’s warnings on board and throughout my training, I constantly watched out for hints of poor practice or sloppy processes that suggested sales may be prioritised over good advice and feared that if I had chosen something that may be anything less than honest and professional, I would have to walk away and start all over again.  Not easy at my age.

I’m pleased to report I am now happily adjusted from working a ridiculous 60+ hours a week, driving up and down the country and feeling constantly stressed to working 3 or 4 days a week in a job I love!   It’s taken some getting used to, especially the months of studying and exams, but I’m finally feeling the satisfaction of being able to do more of what I enjoy and less of the stress.

So, for anyone facing the situation I was in 12 months ago of finding a new career at a “mature" age, I say go for it! 
Think carefully about what you enjoy in your working life, ask people’s opinions about what they feel you are good at and don’t write anything off until you’ve tried it.  :)  ;)
Title: Re: Work from home?
Post by: nichola on March 21, 2015, 09:14:36 AM
Glad to hear it's all worked out for you   :)
Title: Re: Work from home?
Post by: Anne on March 21, 2015, 09:55:37 AM
Glad you made the right decision and it's worked out for you.
Less stress and more free time can only be a good thing
Title: Re: Work from home?
Post by: Jacqui Harvey on March 21, 2015, 17:35:32 PM
Well done Bluwise...More power to your elbow...  ;D
Title: Re: Work from home?
Post by: AOK on March 21, 2015, 19:22:14 PM
Hope it continues to go well for u  :)
Title: Re: Work from home?
Post by: Highlander on March 21, 2015, 21:02:04 PM
Great news bluwise - fortune favouring the brave  :)
Title: Re: Work from home?
Post by: Menthol on March 21, 2015, 22:33:53 PM
Excellent to hear, Bluwise. Make sure you stick to 3 or 4 days a week though :D

And you're right - you have to be brave. TA and I both jacked in perfectly good, well paid jobs in management and teaching to go back into business again 6 years ago and have never looked back. But yes, it is very scary to start with.
Title: Re: Work from home?
Post by: Bluwise on March 22, 2015, 08:56:28 AM
Thanks for the good wishes everyone - I just hope it may encourage others who are considering their work/life balance to be out of kilter, to take a step back and look at what's important to them.
If I'm lucky enough for this role to continue until I reach state retirement age (if the buggers stop shifting it!!!) then I know I made the right choice.   
Title: Re: Work from home?
Post by: usedbustickets on March 22, 2015, 10:19:32 AM
Good news on how things have panned out.  You obviously have things under control working the 3/4 days a week, but look out for pitfalls in the future such as 'opportunities to grow' or 'new/additional directions' be sure they do not spoil your work life balance.  After a number of years of home working, in various roles, I would recommend to you and anyone thinking of doing something similar at home, that at least once a day you get out of the house, go for a nice walk, go and get a coffee or have a lunch out, and if you get the chance one a week or fortnight meet up with a client/remote co-worker/mentor/friend just to have a chat face to face with those involved in your business or work, you need that face to face interaction with people, and diary it so that you see it through as a business appointment.  Finally, not sure about your home arrangements are but if you live with someone, try to organise your day so that maximise the time that you spend together, with business hours close down (and no wandering back just to finish such and such).  After all there must be some other benefits for you and yours, other than you are happy in the new role and all that it brings in.
Title: Re: Work from home?
Post by: Bluwise on March 22, 2015, 12:57:37 PM
Very good points UBT - thank you.