First impressions are so powerful that they can override what we are told about others – as found in a 2014 study by University of Toronto researchers.
It can take just a fraction of the second for potential clients or colleagues to give us ‘the once over’ yet once they do, an impression is formed and even contradictory facts will not change it.
Whether you are currently decorating your office or you are planning an upcoming meeting with investors, what steps can you take to ensure that you are conveying a professional, trustworthy, friendly first impression to potential clients?
Acing Your Look
In most professional sectors, standard clothing for professionals includes a business suit, dress shoes, and well-styled hair but getting your look right very much depends on the industry you are working in.
If you have an arts- or design-based business, or one that seeks to establish itself as an innovator in its field, then avant-garde fashion may be the expected standard.
A good way to get it right is to check out what your competitors and mentors are wearing (their social media pages are a good place to start).
Specifics may change but the basics should be present – including well-pressed clothing, neatness and tidiness, and appropriate skincare and beauty details.
As stated by beauty experts at ScentChasers.com, when it comes to fragrance, your chosen perfume should be personal.
However, it should also be one that passes professional standards. In other words, scents that are overpowering, too spicy, or too aromatic can annoy clients and make meetings unpleasant, causing clients to cut dealings short.
Choosing Appropriate Interior Design Features
Your office is often the first sign that your business is right or wrong for your clients. For interiors to look professional, they should be neat and tidy, and aspects such as furniture, paint, and flooring should be brand new (or good as new).
Your office should also be well- and thoughtfully spaced, so as to enable colleagues to work efficiently without having to stand at each other’s desks or block passageways.
The devil is in the detail so ensure that nothing is visible that shouldn’t be. Align your office’s colors and décor details with your logo and general branding design.
If you are selling modern architectural services, for instance, your office should be flooded with natural light and filled with modern, minimalist details.
If you are a legal firm, on the other hand, then natural wood, leather (make it vegan if you’re a sustainable firm), and other materials can lend your interiors the sense of tradition you wish your business to represent.
Show your commitment to sustainability, safety, and cleanliness with details such as smart faucets and no-touch soap dispensers.
Investing in Communications Training
Staff should receive training on aspects such as answering the phone, writing emails, and answering feedback on social media. Your communications should be consistent, friendly, and professional.
Small efforts (such as actually smiling when answering the phone) can be perceived on the other end of the line and anyone speaking to current or potential clients should show their commitment to actually being of help.
Efforts should always be made to portray staff in a professional manner.
For instance, if the boss is out to lunch, it is best to say, that they are currently at a meeting and that you will let them know the person has called as soon as you see them.
Always ask if you can be of help in the meantime. Emails should also be polite and friendly and professional signatures should be included in your mailing system.
Even your website should look good, function well, and be easy to navigate (both on desktop and smartphone). Body language training should also be provided so that your staff members seem open, friendly, and willing to help.
Conclusion
First impressions may be made in less than a second, but they are lasting. To make a good first impression, consider everything
from how your office looks to how your staff is dressed.
Invest, if required, in-office renovations so that your office looks new and aligns with your branding strategy.
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29 Marketing Blogs Every Small Business Must Follow
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