You never get a second chance to make a first impression, and in the world of business that impression is likely to be made the moment a client or business associate steps through the door into your office. Therefore, your office should reflect the quality of work you produce as well as the image your organisation projects, and it is important that you ensure you have the appropriate facility solutions in place to see that it does. Anyone who visits your office, be it a new employee or a potential partner, should not only be made to feel welcome but motivated and encouraged to be confronted with such a professional organisation. You might have found the perfect office space, but have you considered how you fill it? Here’s what your office needs to be in order to create the right statement…

If you want to project an organised, professional and reliable business, your office must be spotless. A visitor will be able to tell just how clean your workplace is as soon as they approach the building – dirty welcome mats and muddy steps will not go unnoticed. Your visitors should feel excited to enter the premises, not worried about dirtying their shoe leather. The toilet facilities must also be well monitored and always presentable, empty toilet roll holders or a paucity of soap can leave visitors wary of just how considerate or efficient you are and could also cause your guests embarrassment, setting the meeting off to a bad start.

Having a member of staff ready to greet your guests on arrival rather than simply allowing them to let themselves in will help them to feel welcome in your office. By creating a comfortable waiting area complete with drinking water facilities, catalogues, and a place for them to sit, your guests will be able to relax while you make your way to meet them. Leaving a visitor waiting in the hallway could cause them to feel out of place and should you be a little delayed they could end up quite frustrated and uncomfortable. A hospitable office environment will reflect the auspices of an accommodating and caring company.

While an office with only the bare necessities might save your company money, you could risk both your staff and your visitors being left feeling uninspired and unimpressed. Your office should immediately engage those who walk through its doors – providing them with reading materials (perhaps the company’s own work), interesting information, a motivating colour scheme and a happy, relaxed workforce. A visitor entering a bland, boring and plain office might get the impression that the service the company offers is bland and boring too. Take the time to find facilities that reflect your company’s image well.

If your office is outmoded and equipped with prehistoric technology and old fittings, you’re probably going to leave the impression that your company’s services and business techniques are dated too. Creating a trendy office that boasts the latest technology and equipment will remind your visitors that you are a company keeping up with the market and competing well in the industry. Show off just how worthwhile an investment your company is with facilities that promise to enhance your performance and that promote an innovative, inspirational organisation.

If you’re interested in creating an office that projects the right image for your company but are short on the facilities that you need to do so, look no further than Staples Advantage. We can provide you with everything you need to create a great first impression, so contact us today for more information.

September 3rd 2014 | Back to Industry Insights