In addition to this free account holders now have access to the very powerful campaign reporting package.

go to www.calltrackuk.com to get this.

Google Analytics is already the standard tool used for monitoring website traffic for 90% of website owners, now they can track exactly which page their callers are calling from by using this new feature and placing different 084x numbers on each page. They can even use the “Geo Tracking” to see which part of the country their customer base is residing (often an unknown with web-based companies).

This is where a Virtual Switchboard comes in. The switchboard is software driven which means that small businesses dont need to obtain hardware and also dont need to change their telephone numbers. They can simply sign up for a Virtual Switchboard and they get an email providing them with their 0845 number straight away. They are also given instructions on how to configure this via a web page which they are also given as part of their introductory email.

They can then configure the incoming 0845 number to divert to their home number OR home numbers of those working with them in their businesses. These incoming calls then ‘roam’ from one home number to the next until either answered or a message is taken by the system. This message is then emailed to them.

For more information go to www.calltrackuk.com            It really is Free!

I’ve tried to justify this to people i know – everyone alway asks ‘what have you invented?’ – and all i can say is that i have several things in development. this is true – i have a number of ideas about specific products or concepts, that have not YET turned into inventions. so where does the invention start?

I guess i really need to meet other inventors to find this out, as at the moment i am not having any Eureka moments. Previously they have happened in the course of my days, but after chucking in my ‘normal days’ and winging it as a full time inventor, those Eureka moments are not forthcoming, although i am trying to create as fertile a soil as i can.

Don;t get me wrong, what i do have is a lot of flexibility to explore ANY angle that i chose: evolution; quantum physics; magnets; lead flashing on roofs; pyramid power; backk supports; design exhibitions; etc. However, what mostly happens is that i do a lot of filing and tidying up.

Sad thing is my desk isn;t even that tidy!

Maybe that’s an indication that things aren’t as bad as i think. Its early days yet, and i have plenty of things to keep me occupied whilst i sneak up on a Eureka

Have listened to CreativeMaverick’s interview of Leslie Scott. She invented Jenga (awesome) and i’m very pleased to have heard her talk about her experiences with Intellectual Property and her advice for would-be inventors. So let’s keep going!

I think the main worry is that i’m going to distract myself from doing serious work. I guess all home-workers experience this, so i take heart from that. I guess i can ask myself if everything i do is suporting where i want to be.

For example: i have completed a prototype product for money – good; I am replacing a fridge in my in-laws home – not so good. Lets limit the things that don’t support inventing, and encourage the things that do.

BUT WAIT! What if i fix the fridge for my in-laws, and come across some awful thing that prevents me doing something essential, and have a Eureka moment?! I don’t know!

Guess i’ll just keep on keeping on for now.

cheers,

Philip

I’ve tried to justify this to people i know – everyone alway asks ‘what have you invented?’ – and all i can say is that i have several things in development. this is true – i have a number of ideas about specific products or concepts, that have not YET turned into inventions. so where does the invention start?

I guess i really need to meet other inventors to find this out, as at the moment i am not having any Eureka moments. Previously they have happened in the course of my days, but after chucking in my ‘normal days’ and winging it as a full time inventor, those Eureka moments are not forthcoming, although i am trying to create as fertile a soil as i can.

Don;t get me wrong, what i do have is a lot of flexibility to explore ANY angle that i chose: evolution; quantum physics; magnets; lead flashing on roofs; pyramid power; backk supports; design exhibitions; etc. However, what mostly happens is that i do a lot of filing and tidying up.

Sad thing is my desk isn;t even that tidy!

Maybe that’s an indication that things aren’t as bad as i think. Its early days yet, and i have plenty of things to keep me occupied whilst i sneak up on a Eureka

Have listened to CreativeMaverick’s interview of Leslie Scott. She invented Jenga (awesome) and i’m very pleased to have heard her talk about her experiences with Intellectual Property and her advice for would-be inventors. So let’s keep going!

I think the main worry is that i’m going to distract myself from doing serious work. I guess all home-workers experience this, so i take heart from that. I guess i can ask myself if everything i do is suporting where i want to be.

For example: i have completed a prototype product for money – good; I am replacing a fridge in my in-laws home – not so good. Lets limit the things that don’t support inventing, and encourage the things that do.

BUT WAIT! What if i fix the fridge for my in-laws, and come across some awful thing that prevents me doing something essential, and have a Eureka moment?! I don’t know!

Guess i’ll just keep on keeping on for now.

cheers,

Philip

Its good a t the moment, working rom home and under my own steam. Got to live the life you love, eh Barbara Sher?

For example, yesterday, instead of doin my usual research and development stuff here at home (and in the shed), i drove some friends to deepest Shropshire, where they filmed an actual hermit living on a hillside. Quite a sociable guy (for a hermit) and bloody lovely surroundings. Was  a good day.

Its good a t the moment, working rom home and under my own steam. Got to live the life you love, eh Barbara Sher?

For example, yesterday, instead of doin my usual research and development stuff here at home (and in the shed), i drove some friends to deepest Shropshire, where they filmed an actual hermit living on a hillside. Quite a sociable guy (for a hermit) and bloody lovely surroundings. Was  a good day.

With profit margins being tighter and the necessity to run a lean team being of prime importance to a business, the last thing you need is a flu epidemic whether its swine or otherwise, crippling your company with staff absenteeism.  If your company can afford to loose 30% of its staff for 10 days you may just have too many staff.  There’s not much we can do about the flu but we can minimise the risks to your business by enabling home working options for staff looking after sick children and relatives or staff who are at risk of catching the bug.

In this day and age, its almost a sin not to have in place your risk reduction procedure for emergencies like this.  Just a few simple steps may be all it takes to enable a smooth seamless transition from office to home working  more>>>

This means that you can work from home in partneship with up to 2 other people who also work from home or remotely and they will also recieve calls against the same 0844 number. Check out the website and sign up at www.calltrackuk.com now – you instantly get given your number and login page.

The system behaves as if being answered by one company and the messages which callers recieve give the impression of a managed switchboard.

All one has to do is to go to www.calltrackuk.com and look at what is on offer. Also why not call the pre-recorded information line on 0844 884 3418 and listen to the message. This give a good outline of what the switchboard can do and why is is useful if working from home and want a degree of privacy on your home phone (ie. you don’t want others to know your home number).  It diverts the 0844 incoming call to your home number so others don’t need to know it. Also you can log into the web dashboard and set the switchboard to go to voicemail automatically at certain times of the day or night dependant on when you want to recieve calls. You can infact talke up to 2 number for free and can use them as little or as much as you want. Your home telephone number will still work as it is! It does not affect  your existing number or landline agreement at all. Click here to go to the website www.calltrackuk.com

There is no denying that homeworking is affecting almost every area of business and by embracing technology it is an extremely efficient and well-balanced way of running a successful business.

It can, however, be invaluable to have somebody available to give advice on the industry, on the markets, on developing the company, on your services and products, or on coping with high growth.  A Non-Executive Director or Non-Exec Chairman can provide that vital link to your wider business community which you can’t afford to leave behind when you take up the benefits of working from home.

I’m currently reading a great book by Emma Jones of Enterprise Nation called “Spare Room Start Up: How To Start A Business From Home” (click here for the Amazon page).  It’s full of useful hints and tips for new homeworkers and it’s well worth a read.

If you’re running your business from home there is no reason why you can’t also enjoy the support and added value of a Non-Executive Director.  They can not only play a role in the business but also act as a personal mentor and coach to you as a business leader.

If you would like to see a shortlist of Non-Executive Directors who are suitable for your business then do please read our pages for companies and make contact so we can discuss your needs. 

If you are interested in working with home-based business leaders as a Non-Executive Director, please visit our pages for NEDs. 

One shiny new site which has caught my eye is LaunchLab. It’s a good name, and has a strong editorial team behind it. But most of all, it features a cute forum, which already appears to have some traction with plenty of informal chat on lots of business issues. If you’re a homeworker stuck in front of a PC, or are just considering starting your own business, this might be a great place to find some company.

The site is in pre-launch now, but you can already get started on the forums. Take a moment out and make some new friends.