Archive for January, 2012

If you operate an office that receives visiting clients you almost certainly have a reception desk. Such an area enables you to great advantage. While your client is waiting to see you why don’t you give them the chance to learn about you and the company? Large photographs from the factory or even the products / services you provide help to make it clear what your business does or represents. It also gives an insight into areas your visitor will not be able to access under normal circumstances. You may be surprised at how interested everyone is in you and whatever you do behind the curtain.

2. Alternatively you might take the opportunity to feature pictures from the key workers with your team. A head and shoulders photo as well as a name plate will enable first time visitors to recognise anybody they are in order to meet and to determine their position within the management team. This really is considerably comforting when you find yourself about to meet someone the first time. It also helps to create the staff feel valued plus a real section of the organisation.

3. If you think that you need to be more creative why don’t you feature your employees in poses that display their favourite pastime. In the event the M.D. is a keen angler, or perhaps the Sales Manager takes part in amateur dramatics, feature them in suitable attire. This will make the person appear “human” and not an office automaton thus making them easier to relate to.

4. If company is to be necessary to wait some time, or even if waiting to generate a complaint, think carefully how you can entertain them while they’re waiting. You will need the area to become calming and friendly so avoid aggressive colours for example bright reds or solid blacks and consider featuring pastel colours in abstract designs of a gentle nature. You may even consider some humorous cartoons or caricatures in the senior management in an effort to present yourselves as people of a good humour and friendly nature. Act as general in subject in order to appeal to everyone. As an example, avoid pictures of football clubs etc whether or not the M.D. is a huge fan. If industry is entertained and relaxed from your choice of images so you come out to satisfy them with a large helpful smile on the face, they’ll find it harder being angry along with you when you first meet.

5. Similar rules apply when decorating the overall admin areas of the office. It’s likely that the work is constant and repetitive so result in the staff comfortable by displaying bright and positive images they could enjoy. But avoid scenes of Far Eastern Beaches and Palm Trees, you might just discover their whereabouts drifting off on a mental holiday.

6. In your Marketing or Sales Area attempt to avoid the cliche pictures of Lions stating “The Customer is King” etc. While true, such messages are tired and lack impact these days. Instead, you will want to feature nicely framed letters from happy customers, certificates of achievement, employee from the month awards, pictures of staff outings which are earned as rewards against results. These can make it quite clear why most people are there and reminders from the rewards they get for effort will spur them on win future acknowledgements.

7. Make sure your art is modern, popular and up to date. Framed calendar prints of Monet’s Water Lillie’s in tired frames against decrepit wall paper or wood wall panelling just is not going to do. They furnish out signals of being slow, outdated and behind the times. If you happen to such as the classics it okay to hang them, make absolutely certain you do so inside a celebratory way. Big positive prints and good frames could make much more of your firm stand out than something old and tired.

8. Just like flowers and fish tanks it may be possible to engage art on your workplace. This has the advantage of regular refreshment because supplier visits at allocated times to improve the displays. This may also just provide you with the chance to see what you need to keep on a more permanent basis once you’ve a a chance to deal with them for a while.

9. If you might rather put your cash to a good cause have you thought to sponsor a local School or Hospital to provide paintings by pupils or patients. They’re fun and various and show a caring side in your business. Framed well, the poorest of efforts can look very interesting considering the source.

10. Whatever you choose, make an effort to frame it. Cheap tatty frames do nothing at all for your image or maybe your perceived attitude to quality. A tatty attitude in your decor could suggest to some client that you have a sloppy attitude in your business or even the service you’ll give them. The presentation you’re making in your place at work says a whole lot about you and what you stand for.

11. Attempt to discourage staff from littering the walls of their work area with personal effects for example pictures of Celebrities, bawdy calendars, humorous verses about working here being doable by being crazy etc. If these areas are encountered by your clients they will give the impression of the loosely run ship. You should allow staff to personalise their area with an extent, pictures from the family can remind clients anytime 5pm this person returns to being human again. If at all possible, keep the other trends only for the staff room.

12. Do not make the work environment too sterile. Make good using plants, preferably synthetic as these do not take the oxygen from the air, what about a fish tank, theses done well look very impressive and encourage tranquillity. Good usage of lighting will make an enormous impact on the atmosphere from the place just like a TV screen permanently tuned with a news channel. Again, announcing to everyone who visit that you will be in touch with the planet beyond your own doors.

13. Strongly discourage staff from holding personal conversations within earshot of waiting clients. Not only is this immensely embarrassing for the person waiting, it suggests lack of discipline and care about the job taking place. What Molly did with her boyfriend last night should remain the exclusive interest of – Molly and her boyfriend.

14. Ensure reception staff speak well and convey elegance. Be sure they know customers name and use it each time they address the crooks to offer coffee or update in your availability. Only select those that have a good spoken voice to greet clients in person or by phone or make announcements for the P.A. system. This is extremely important when hoping to establish the caliber of your company to clients and staff alike.

15. The smart appearance of staff is essential to maintain standards. Clean shaven, well tied ties, smart haircut etc go a long way to making a fantastic impression. Presently of increased casual attitudes it isn’t difficult to stand higher than the competition. You don’t need to go over the very best but retracted shirt sleeves still look superior to a Tee Shirt.

16. Washrooms for use by your clients are often over looked when it comes to setting standards. Simple things like making sure soap, tissue, toilet seats (contrary to popular belief) are all there, as well as a working extractor fan, hot water and hand dryers will be the simple things that can be in a position to let slip. Cleanliness is paramount too needless to say. Why not go and check your facilities right this moment and see what you can improve them.

17. If welcoming foreign visitors make the effort to ensure you are familiar with their customs when greeting. As an example if greeting a guest from Malaysia it really is customary to not shake hands (even though they will since they are also alert to your culture) but to greet them by placing the palm of your right hand against your individual left shoulder because you make a subtle bow towards them. It is usually good manners for most far eastern countries to intently study their business card for a couple of seconds when it is offered to you and to avoid pointing along with your finger, instead gesturing direction using a gentle upturned hand.

18. When industry is leaving you from a meeting, take the time to no less than see them for the door of your building or, if appropriate, walk the crooks to their vehicle. So often I have been given excellent treatment by my host just to feel hurriedly ejected at the conclusion of the meeting. Though this is never intentional, it is the last few minutes of one’s meeting which you remember after leaving.

19. Go that step further to impress. Always send a quick note or Email saying thanks to your guest for coming and also to suggest the next steps of one’s trading relationship. Any deal you might be after just isn’t in the bag prior to the contracts are concluded.

20. Constantly appraise your working environment and make a check list of points to keep at all times. It’s not hard to forget these important details nonetheless they can make a huge difference to your image both within and outside of the office walls.