Field sales advice

[crofty1984]

Hello all, I've got a new job! Also, thanks to Rog for his advice on my CV.
It's as a technical sales engineer for a seal company. I'll be a field sales person working from home/the road/considering hiring a desk in a small office (no spare bedrooms)
I've worked in technical sales for about 10 years, but never working from home or as field sales (though I have travelled internationally a lot with my current job). Region will be East Anglia/North London.

I'd appreciate any tips people have. From staying healthy to maintaining discipline to the day to day of the job itself.

Thanks, Dan

[StevieBee]

Self discipline is key.

The idea of renting desk space has some merit. Personally, I find I need to physically 'go to work' and if you are of a similar mind, then worth looking at - though is a cost I would suggest, is taken by the employer rather than you personally.

If you are at home for a whole day, the treat it as any other day: I.e...shower, shave, etc.. Very easy to fire up the lap top over your cereal and find you're still in your dressing gown at midday!

Well done on the job though and best of luck with it.

[devnull]

I work from home in a similar role, visiting customers and going to meetings where needed. Best thing ever, as you suddenly have all that time lost to commuting to yourself.

You need to have your office space, I wouldn’t be too happy paying for use of an office myself, but I’ve factored that in to my house and have an office (I.e. a bedroom) that I can close the door on to everyone else.

In terms of routine - well it depends on your workload. Some days I can be flat out 0700- 2000 a day and some days it’s so quiet I’ll just do some housework or nip out and get a haircut. Company culture is important here.