First Impressions

If your business maintains commercial space or a retail shop, make sure you periodically refresh the space. First impressions that are not positive are often remembered longer than those with a positive impact.

A colleague was visiting a business for the first time recently. While the service needed was performed to her satisfaction, she described the physical setting as bleak. The other adjective used was tired. Tired and bleak are not adjectives you should strive for with your business. Step outside your space and step back in with a discerning eye. See your space through the eyes of your clients, does it impress or underwhelm?

Often, small businesses may not have extra money for beautifying their physical space. Take a look at your lease and inquire with your landlord if the cost of painting or leasehold improvements could be added to the term of the lease. This is a great way to pay for the improvements over time and a bit easier on your budget. Sometimes, it really just takes a fresh coat of paint to brighten your space up and turn bleak into beauty.

Another approach our office is taking on right now is furniture refinishing. We identified some antique pieces at the home of our office mate and with the help of a ‘furniture hospital’ the pieces should take on a new glow and will brighten up our space, now going on six years old. It is shocking how much dust and sun bleaching can occur over the course of the years we have been in our space. Refinishing or reupholstering is a good way to give the space a fresh look without breaking the bank.

Consider your own commercial space. Make it warm, freshen it up, and put it on a maintenance schedule. Steer clear of any new clients describing your space as bleak or tired. That is an impression hard for anyone to shake.

Be well.