If you have the type of business where clients regularly visit your office, you want to make a good impression.
When meeting someone for the first time, or visiting a new locale, we tend to form an impression of the person, or our surroundings within the first twenty to thirty seconds. We do this subconsciously, whether we intend to or not.
When people walk into your offices the first thing they see is your reception area, and from this they subconsciously form impressions about the rest of your offices, and even the business itself.
A first impression can be changed, but it takes time and effort. Much better therefore to make the best first impression. To do this your reception must be professional, warm, welcoming and well furnished. Having the right reception furniture is expensive, but buying it from a used dealer will save you a lot of money. This is a big deal for a small business.
A professional dealer in used office furniture can help you to furnish your entire office on a tight budget, yet your offices will look professional and upmarket.
When a client or potential client visits your offices it is nice to let them leave with something. This should be marketing related, as a direct gift will create the wrong impression. Keeping some personalized pens and marketing brochures at your reception desk is a great idea.
These pens are cheap and made of plastic, but have the two most important attributes – they write and they are branded with your company details. When a visitor leaves with one of these pens they will use it, and every time they do they are reminded of your business and products. They will associate it with the warm reception they received, they professional and friendly offices and staff, and be in the right frame of mind to do business with you.
In this way you can save money creating your reception, and use it to generate further business.