For most businesses there comes a time when clients, visiting members of the public, diginatires or even prospective job applicants will come and turn up at your business. You therefore need a reception area. This is where people will start to build a perception of your company and how it operates. Whilst it is true that web sites are vital this physical manifestation and primary point of contact should also feature in your plans. What are the steps that you can take to have a welcoming reception area?
- Light and airy – A lot of what you do as a business will define this space. It is good to insure that lighting is adequate and that you have gone for some nice pastels or light colours to welcome them in. The influential saviour of the failing 80’s breakfast television channel TV-AM Bruce Gyngell said that “you must feature warm colours and be summer to draw people in”. Visitors need to feel welcome and at ease.
- Train the receptionists. Receptionists have a bad reputation, we can all recall an officious one from our past who needs to see something in triplicate or is deeply unhelpful just as much as we do the ones that have gone above and beyond. The receptionist is the gatekeeper and keeping them informed is vital. It is also vital to make sure they have a decent Reception Chairs like those at https://www.bestbuy-officechairs.co.uk/reception-chairs/ to it themselves and the visitors on.
- Water, Tea, Coffee and free Wi-Fi. It’s not enough to have a few magazines slung about the place anymore. A simple touch of having a Tea and coffee machine or water cooler shows that you care about the visitor and Wi-Fi is a nice touch, plus charging seems mean.
- Art and plants. Art is a rather tricky subject as it is so, well, subjective. What you like is not what others may like and it might be an idea to get some independent advice. Plants and greener are good as it highlights your love for the environment. Try to avoid those corporate slogans like “There’s no I in team” or some business quote about dedication that just looks like you are trying to hard. However, awards and trophies should be out there front and centre so the customer knows you are fully qualified for whatever job and account they are going to throw at you.
