First Impressions: The Areas Your Clients Really Notice

First impressions matter in any walk of life, and when you're running a business, first impressions can make or break you. And sadly, you have under 7 seconds to make this first impression, and it's pretty tough trying to claw your way back if you aren't giving out the right first impression.

So, with this in mind, what does your office say about you? Are you constantly apologising for disorganisation and an unkempt look? Because when you're inviting clients or visitors into your office, they're not just noticing the work you've done or your branding, employees, or the pitch you've prepared; they're noticing the cleanliness and how professional your office feels. 

So, where do you need to focus your attention, and where do people notice the most?

Reception

Think of your reception as your handshake. It's the first point of contact for anyone walking through the door. Dirty windows, damaged doors, and litter on floors are going to set the entirely wrong tone before they even get any further.

Your reception needs to be repping hard for your company, promoting you and your brand, and providing a glimpse into the professionalism clients can expect from you.

Meeting Rooms

Put yourself in the position of the client here. You've arrived for a meeting, and you've been shown to the meeting room, and the table has coffee rings on it. You can see the crumbs from lunchtime sandwiches, and the chairs have a slightly sticky feel to them, like something has been spoiled and not cleaned up properly. How do you feel? Now use this feeling and apply it to your own meeting rooms, because if this isn't an environment in which you want to conduct business, you can guarantee your clients will feel the same. They will absolutely notice a dirty meeting room, and it will affect their mood and perception of your business.

Restrooms

Clean restrooms are non-negotiables. And a dirty look can leave a lasting poor impression. Your fixtures should sparkle, and there shouldn't be any nasty aromas giving away the secrets of the toilet bowl. In fact, to maintain a highly spotless toilet space, it might be worth hiring a commercial cleaning company to have your back, so you can rely on your bathroom facilities meeting the highest of standards.

Workstations and Open Space

It's a given that any open spaces people need to walk through will form part of their overall impressions of your business. Your main working areas also need to be tied into the impression you want to promote throughout your company and business dealings. Dusty keyboards aren't going to be positive impressions, nor are messy desks or cables everywhere. Even the slightest hint of anything outside of tidy, clean, and organised will be noticed, even if just briefly.

You need to be disciplined when it comes to making a good first impression for your business, from your employees to your reception, restrooms, and beyond. Even if you don't think people will notice, they will, and each issue that doesn't fit with their picture of you and your business will chip away at any good impressions. Encourage your employees to take pride in their workspace and contribute to the overall cleanliness and professionalism of the office.

Image source: Marc Mueller via Pexels