6. The Internet without Fear – Starting a Home Based Business

Starting a Home Based Business with Darina Loakman of www.iamawahm.com – 12 Nov 2008

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We are joined in the studio this week by Darina Loakman of Working at Home Mums and we will look at different options of working at home using the Internet.

The show is sponsored by ICS Skills, who bring you Equalskills the fun and exciting way for complete beginners to learn all about using computers and the internet – for young and old.

As we are learning, the internet is part of our lives with over 50% of the population connected.

As we spend lots of time browsing various websites, looking for information, as well as fun and entertainment, why not use this time even more productively and earn a few bucks on top of all this?

Facts Section

In the world, every 11 seconds someone starts a home-based business.

The UK Home Business Report from October 2008 compiled by Enterprise Nation and supported by BT found that there are now more than 2.5 million businesses operating from homes across the UK . This is an increase of 16% over the past 12 months.

82% of home business owners believe technology has been a critical or very important factor allowing them to start and grow the business from home and 52% spend between £500- £1,000 on IT each year.

Unsurprisingly 93 per cent of home-based businesses use broadband.

In Ireland, a similar report is not currently available, however, the latest teleworking survey from O2 Ireland has found 29pc of senior managers in small- to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) work from home at least four days a month.

Some 47pc work from home at least one day a month, the survey found, almost double the number that did so in 2004.

Why working from home?

  • Some 36pc of respondents who telework said they did so in order to concentrate and get more done without day-to-day office distractions;
  • 14pc said it is easier to catch up on work or meet deadlines if they work from home;
  • 8pc said they did it to achieve a better work-life balance; and
  • 4pc said they telework to avoid traffic gridlock.

    The O2 research found 35pc of SME owner-managers who use a PC or laptop said they had thought about getting mobile broadband.

    Source: SiliconRepublic.com

Presenter: Peter Lawless

Radio Station: Dublin City FM 103.2

Airtime: 12 Nov 2008, 1.30pm – 2pm

Listen to other Internet without Fear shows