Is Your Office Giving Off The Right Impression?

In business, first impressions count. Research suggests that humans form opinions within seconds. This means that you need to get straight in there and impress potential investors or clients. There’s no time to waste, and no margin for error. If you’re hosting meetings, you need to make sure that your office sends the right signals. Here are some tricks and tips to help you make a positive first impression.

Cleanliness Is Key

Cleanliness is something you’ll notice the moment you set foot in a building. There are few things that will make you look more unprofessional and unreliable than a dirty or smelly office. If you’ve got clients visiting, make sure the place is absolutely spotless. You don’t want to lose out on a deal because the office is a mess. A tidy office is not just attractive to people you want to get on board. It’s also proven to boost productivity. Nobody wants to work in a space where you can’t see the desk surface for dust. If you don’t already have cleaning services as part of your rental fee, search for local commercial cleaning firms.

Looking The Part

When you think of an office, you probably think of a fairly bland space scattered with desks, chairs, and computers. This works for some businesses. But you don’t have to fit in with the mold. If you’re a creative business, show this in your office design. The way your office looks can act as a powerful and effective marketing tool. You’ll get off to a great start if people come in and get that wow factor. Think about the ethos of your business when you’re planning the decor or design. How can you show off what you do, and what you’re all about?

Practicality

If you’re inviting clients to the office for meetings, make sure you have a practical setup. Do you have a designated meeting room? Or a space you can use to throw around ideas, or run through a presentation? You don’t want to be negotiating a deal in a bustling office or trying to thrash out numbers surrounded by hundreds of other people. It’s always a good idea to section off areas where you can talk quietly. If you have meeting rooms, make sure they’re well-equipped. Think about what you may need. If you’re running in and out to get equipment, you won’t give off a very professional impression. Check the room in advance. If you’re doing a presentation, make sure you have a projector, or that your laptop is hooked up and ready to go.

When it comes to business, you often have seconds to impress. You may not think that the look or layout of your office is that important. But you’d be surprised how much of a difference a tidy, fresh, eye-catching workspace can make. If you run a business that involves face to face meetings, prioritize cleanliness. There’s nothing more off-putting than arriving at an untidy, unclean office. Think about how the space could sell your business. Be original, but don’t ignore practical considerations. Your office should look the part. But it should also be an area that is conducive to hard work.