Ive just got my practice licence from ICB, im an associate cb.cert. Im literally just starting out on my own, Ive only just done some adverts and to my surprise have had 2 enquiries which have now brought up some questions I hadnt thought of. for those ladies out there who want to work from home, when a new client calls u and you need to arrange a meeting how do you do it? i cant just turn up at some strangers house...do you get them to come to you ( ensuring hubby and rottweiler are encamped in living room) or do you arrange to meet in, say , Tesco's coffee shop?
Second thing I thought of was my potential customer mentioned something about chasing payments through the small claims court, is this common??
Also, is it usual for clients to want you to work in their house? I set myself up to work from home so that I can manage my 3 kids, if i have to go to another house it will defeat the object!
Its very scary and makes me want to go back to emplyed work!!! any stories of people just setting up and advice woud be very welcme!
(1) Starbucks, cafe Nero are good initial meeting places, have your laptop with you (Actually that was one of the reasons I got into web based accounting systems in first place, meeting clients in cafes can be fun) and find a quiet spot in the cafe.
(2) If the client wants it as part of credit control process (last resort action), then yes normal. At the moment the claim limit is £5,000 (but may potentially rise soon).
If you havent been involved in this process before, seek advice from an accountant or solicitor. If there is no real credit control process in place, then definitely seek advice from an accountant, experienced in collections or credit controller.
(3) Yes can be usual for you to work from clients house if they have home office. Initially clients may object, unless they already know you personally.
In the long run, once a relationship between you and the client has been established, come to an arrangement with the client whereby you will be able to work from home. (if you are taking that route, it is your responsibility to keep their paperwork safe)
(4) We are becoming an entrepreneurial society as jobs are scarce out there at the moment, so keep at it unless you get lucky; then choice is yours on whether to build your practice or enter into employment.
The 1st client I got I work at his house and met him at his house. It works well, his only a couple of miles away and after nursery drop off I go there and leave at midday, just go when I need to and when its convenient for us both. As he has a child too I only go during term time. Another client I work at their offices once a week, a pain during the school holidays how much does someone want to look after my children, last week from that client I made less than £10 after expenses, in the wrong business childminders earn a fortune!
My other clients I work from home and take my youngest with me when I go to see them as one of them said when I met them for the 1st time (turned up with my youngest) if they don't like children its not worth doing business with them!
Use your clients if you can, to keep the children occupied, 1 of mine is a children's soft play centre so I only visit during school holidays or weekends!!
I have had a mixture of Clients that come to the house or I visit their home/offices. I did go to someones house recently and I was abit unsure of him, so I told my hubby the address and the guys phone number and what time I was going etc. As it was it was all fine but you never know, so I just wanted to be cautious!
One client a couple of years ago wanted to see my Office (spare bedroom), he wanted to check out that I was who I said which is fair enough, so I arrange for him to come round when the hubby was home one evening, it was fine. Since then we have been to each others houses loads to work and have a good working relationship which is what its all about. I haven't met anyone in a cafe yet, although I would if necessary. I would say if you are going to their house and you are unsure, just make sure that someone knows where you are and give someone their address and phone number. I'm sure you will be alright but I can understand if you are uneasy about it.
HTH
-- Edited by Amanda on Friday 15th of April 2011 04:28:38 PM
