As we are always being told, first impressions count for a lot, so you only get one opportunity to impress a client when they come to visit you at your office.
You may well have got on famously over the phone or in your email communications but that can all count for little if you don’t win them over with how your business is set up to receive visitors.
Here are some pointers on how to make the right impression when visitors come to your office.
Is the outside area clean and tidy?
Curb appeal is a big thing when you are trying to impress buyers who are coming to look at a home for sale and the same logic applies to your office, which is that you want your visitors to form a positive opinion when they arrive outside.
If you have a car park or paved area to look after, you might want to visit A+ SoftWash, for instance, to get the area professionally cleaned on a regular basis so that it is looking smart when they are parking their car and walking to the entrance.
Make sure all employees are on message
If you are running a small business you might not be able to justify the expense of having a receptionist to greet visitors.
If that is the case, it is important that all employees know how important it is to project a professional and helpful welcome if it falls to them to greet a visitor.
A personal welcome that is always well received
It always feels nice when you are made to feel a bit special and an inexpensive but effective way of achieving that aim is to use a lobby board where you can create a greeting message for your visitor.
Walking into a building to find your name displayed with a welcome message gives them the VIP experience and sets a good tone for the visit.
Keep everywhere clean and tidy
If your office is cluttered with paperwork over desks and there is a lack of uniformity to the layout you could argue that it shows how busy you are, but a clean and tidy workspace sends a more positive message that you are organized and in control.
Aim to keep desks as clear as possible and encourage a culture of tidiness in the office so that you are always ready for visitors.
Refreshments are always welcome
It is often a worthwhile investment to buy a decent coffee machine and a water system, as it is something that will be appreciated by staff and visitors too.
Think about the location of your coffee machine and if you can provide self-serve refreshments in the reception area it allows a client the opportunity to get a drink while they are waiting for you.
Having some fresh fruit and healthy snacks available is also a welcoming thing to do and is often appreciated by visitors.
These are just a few ways to help you create the right impression when you have visitors to your business and it is well worth making the effort if it contributes to a positive meeting and smooths the way to winning their business.
Image by Foundry Co from Pixabay