After completing Home Business: Office Management, the user should be able to:

	Create an office in the home
	Set up phone lines and office equipment
	Manage advertising and marketing
	Create invoices for payments
	Hire assistants
	Set up proper insurance

Zoning and Creating an Office

	Operating an office that's legal
	Running a business from a cooperative apartment
	Laying out the work space
	Planning for visits from clients and customers

Phone Lines and Options

	Using multiple phone lines to keep in touch
	Using a toll-free number
	Taking messages
	Paging the home businessperson

Choosing Office Equipment

	Picking the computer that's right for you
	Buying or leasing office equipment
	Choosing computer peripherals that boost productivity
	Going beyond computers: copiers and fax machines

Marketing Your Business

	Mastering the marketing process
	Making a can't-fail marketing plan

Advertising on a Shoestring

	Promoting yourself on the Internet
	Using advertising ideas that work best for a home-based business

Invoicing and Payments

	Setting up invoicing policies
	Deciding what types of payments to accept
	Handling late payments and delinquents
	Bringing a case to small claims court
	Writing off bad debts

Hiring Assistants

	Taking on employees where zoning restrictions, space limits, and costs allow it
	Hiring family, friends, or strangers

Being an Employer

	Functioning as an employer
	Paying payroll taxes
	Using independent contractors for some jobs

Insurance

	Understanding insurance options for home businesses
	Upgrading your homeowner's policy to protect your business
	Buying a comprehensive business owner's policy
	Saving on insurance costs

A typical course has the following features:

	Exercises that allow users to explore how a course topic applies to their own real-world situations
	A file containing the text of the exercises
	Simulations that allow users to practice course skills, even if they don't have access to the real application
	A course index
	A glossary
	A Skill Assessment