NEWS RELEASE
Contact: Lesley Spencer
512.266.0900 or cell phone 512.659.7584

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION HIRES VIRTUAL MOM TO  EXPAND SERVICES
Technology Enables Moms to Work Together While Living in Different States

Austin, TX -- Home-Based Working Moms (HBWM) based in Austin, Texas, a national association for women who work at home or want to work at home, is happy to announce the addition of Tammy Harrison of Smithfield, Utah as a Independent Creative Representative.

“Technology is making it possible for our members, and now our associates, to work from the comfort of their own homes,” Lesley Spencer, founder & director of Home-Based Working Moms said. Harrison joins HBWM this month to help expand the services of HBWM. She will do all of her services from her home-based office in Smithfield.

Telecommuting is becoming a viable option for companies. The benefits for the company are more office space, more parking, improved employee morale and increased productivity. There are additional benefits of less traffic and less pollution in the environment. The increase in productivity coupled with the cost savings for companies is sure to create more interest for employees and companies alike. “Studies have shown that employees are more productive working at home and their dedication and morale obviously increase. It’s a win-win situation,” Spencer said.

In setting up a telecommuting or off-site worker relationship, Spencer recommends setting up some guidelines such as expected availability, response time, deadlines, work space, and other expectations related to the job. She suggests having an open discussion to decide who will be responsible for paying for office equipment, supplies, software and any other expenses one may incur while doing the job.

To ensure a successful arrangement, Spencer also recommends having the people you will work with rate the various tasks and arrangements and see if there is room for improvement. “This will help ensure your boss and co-workers that you can do your job effectively and keep everyone happy,” Spencer added.

“As far as our off-site arrangement, I don’t think Harrison’s productivity would be higher if she were sitting in an office next to me,” Spencer said. “I strongly believe home-based workers are grateful for the opportunity to work at home which encourages them to do an even better job than if they were in a traditional office. I have been impressed with the ease of working together over the distance of hundreds of miles and with the quality and quantity of Harrison’s work,” Spencer added.

"My family is most important," Harrison says, "but I have a very creative mind and need an outlet to channel my inspiration and creative ideas. My husband and I feel that working with HBWM is the ideal solution, and supplementing our income is an added benefit for us."

Harrison has added some unique benefits to Home-Based Working Moms website (www.hbwm.com) including a “Dinner Time” section which offers a complete weekly meal planner, shopping list and tips for getting the kids involved. Harrison also has created a “Play Time” section with activities for parents and children alike, as well as a charity campaign and discussion room.

HBWM promotes contracting home-based working moms for permanent and temporary projects. They back this up with an offer of free promotion and advertising in their newsletter, to their member’s listserv and on their web site. “Hiring home-based working moms to do projects such as word processing, writing, accounting, computer programming and any other jobs that can be done at home makes a lot of sense. These companies can save money by hiring these home-based working moms, and at the same time boost their company’s image as a “family-friendly company,” Spencer said. 

HBWM membership dues are $44 per year which includes a monthly print newsletter, email discussion listserv, opportunity announcement listserv, members-only discounts on computers, car rentals, flowers and more, free listing on the Member's Business Showcase, free HBWM E-News listing, participation in the Member-to-Member Discount Program, access to HBWM’s Panel of Experts, free classified ads in the newsletter, “Twenty Ways to Cut Your Living Expenses”,  “10 Tips for Avoiding Scams”,  online membership directory and more.

For more information on Home-Based Working Moms, view their web site at: www.hbwm.com or send a business-size #10, self-addressed, stamped envelope to: HBWM, P.O. Box 500164, Austin, TX 78750.

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Canadian Rep Lynda Menegotti