Many businessmen think about the image they portray in the business world. While they are doing that, they neglect to think about what image their office portrays. If you have clients visiting you in your workplace, you need to make sure that the office is a suitable environment. Keep your interior clean and professional-looking, and make sure that your building’s commercial exterior is also aesthetically-pleasing. If people don’t like what they see, they might think twice about working with you again. Remember, when you run a business, you need to make sure that you present a united front to the world. If your office contradicts your work ethic, you have a huge problem. Your office has been giving away your deepest secrets. Here is what it has been saying.
Office Decor style
When you are decorating your office space, you might consider what you and your staff want it to look like. Have you considered what your clients want? The way in which you decorate your office says a great deal about your company image. For example, if you are a marketing firm, and you have a grey workspace it says that you are dull. People expect marketing companies to be innovative. There is nothing innovative about a grey office space. You need your office to sell you to your clients. For example, having a fun color in your office will give you a young vibe. If you are a serious company, such as a finance firm, you need to make sure that your office projects that. Use neutral colors and decor to create a serious vibe.
How clean is your office?
A cluttered office is not a sign of a busy workplace; it is a sign of unorganized employees. Yes, you want your office to look a little busy, but you also want it to look like it’s under control. Having a messy space makes it seem as though you have lazy employees. Clients want a company whom they can trust. That means that they want to hire people who have everything under control. Having paperwork and loose items on people’s desks makes it seem like the office is in chaos. Make a rule in your office about keeping desks clean. Every employee should take responsibility for their office space. That means that they need to ensure that their desk is tidy each day before they leave. It is also essential that you outsource professional janitorial services.
Office location and building
If your office is in a prime location, it says that you are a trustworthy business. People put trust in businesses that are successful. When you have an office space in a modern building that is in a central location, it says that you are doing well. Take a look at some contemporary offices, such as Regus offices, online. Make sure that you find an office within your means that is impressive. If you are in an old-fashioned building, clients will think that your practices are old-fashioned as well.
Art within your workspace
If you have tasteless or offensive art in your office, you should remove it. You might think that an image is appropriate for your office space, but if a client disagrees, you have a serious problem. Make sure that you keep art neutral. Choose landscape paintings or motivational quotes for your walls. You may also display a few Mini custom flags and other custom decor pieces. Remember, when your client is waiting to see you, he or she will look around your office. If there is something that a client doesn’t like, you need to ensure that you change it. Sometimes bosses make the mistake of getting ‘funny’ posters or art for their office. Don’t make that mistake, because it could lose you clients.
Open-plan vs. closed offices
There has always been a huge debate over open-plan offices versus closed office spaces. One of the main issues with an open-plan office is that it’s a nightmare for clients. When a client walks into an open-plan office, they can find it a little intimidating. You don’t want to put your client in the middle of your business. Instead, you need to make sure that you have a space where your clients can escape your office. Having separate office rooms means that there are less social issues within your team as well.
Meeting rooms
Often, you will entertain a client in a meeting room. You need to make sure that your meeting rooms have everything they need. If you take a client into a meeting room that is bare and has nothing but a table and chairs inside it, they will find it dull. Make sure that you have a whiteboard and a computer system of some sort. Sometimes clients will want to show you presentations or use a computer to open documents. You need to ensure that your clients have all the facilities that they need. When your client sees that you have prepared a room for them, they will trust you.
Personal items in the office
Personal items, such as photos and ornaments, in the office space says one thing about your business. It says that your business is a joke. When your staff have loads of personal photographs on their desk and around the room, it is bad. It says that your employees would rather be out with friends or on vacation than sitting in work. When your employees bring in cuddly toys or ornaments, it means that they don’t respect you or your workplace. Make sure that your staff leave personal things where they belong, at home.
Reception area
The reception of your office is the first point of call for clients. First impressions can make or break your business relations. You need to show your clients what sort of company you are from the moment they walk through the door. Make sure that the reception is comfortable. With any luck, you won’t leave people waiting in your reception area for too long, but you need to make it cozy nonetheless. Make sure that you have basic facilities to offer clients. You should have tea and coffee-making services so that people can have a drink while they wait. You should also provide magazines and books so that people have something to look at while they wait.
