Home Office Tips for Holiday Houseguests Keep your home business running smoothly with these three tips for entertaining holiday guests.

Q:How can I keep my startup runningfrom home when I have holiday houseguests? What can I do to enjoytheir company while keeping the business going?

A: Holiday houseguests pose specialchallenges when they and your business are all under the same roof.Since you're a startup business, you probably cannot afford tolet your business slide for very long, both in terms of servingcustomers and maintaining your marketing activities. Try these tipsfor handling houseguests:

• Pencil them in. Sometimes, being able to focus on yourhouseguests is simply a matter of timing. Look at your calendar.Are there days when you have nothing scheduled? Keep in mind,though, that meals, joint outings and the like will probably takemore time than you think.
• Communicate with customers. Most clients will understandthat you'll be taking some time off or closing your officeduring the holidays. While you shouldn't make excuses like"My in-laws are here, so I can't do such and such,"you can let customers know when you will be taking time off, usingthe same language you would use if you worked outside the home. Say"I'll be on vacation that week," or "We'llbe closed for the holidays." Be sure to make all sucharrangements well in advance.
• Keep your houseguests busy. Plan something fun that theycan enjoy away from your home during the times you need to work,perhaps escorted by a relative or friend who can relate well toyour guests. Use the time to keep up your marketing activities,such as attending contact-building holiday parties.