Scientists believe that it takes human beings just 7 seconds to formulate a first impression. With businesses across all sectors facing fierce competition, often, you don’t get a second chance to impress. If you’re looking to boost the image of your company, here are some failsafe ways to make sure you get it right first time, every time.
Your team
Most businesses rely on a team of employees to greet, serve and liaise with clients and customers. Your team represents your brand, and the service customers receive will go a long way toward shaping how they feel about your business.
The simplest things, like a warm welcome when you arrive at a restaurant or a hotel, or somebody offering to take your coat when you visit a salon, can make all the difference.
Whether your employees deal with customers over the phone, via email or face-to-face, it’s essential that you underline what is expected of them in terms of customer service. Providing training, issuing instructions related to dress code and setting out guidelines for how each client should be served will all be beneficial.
Your business premises
Whether you run an office-based business, a store, a hotel or a restaurant, the look of your business premises can impact the way people perceive your brand. When a customer walks past your shop, for example, you want them to notice the signage, to spot the window displays, and hopefully, to walk through the door and have a good look inside.
If your store is shabby, the windows are dirty, or the display hasn’t been updated for a long time, this could put shoppers off. Investing in high-quality, eye-catching illuminated signs, keeping your premises clean and tidy and making your store, salon or restaurant look inviting will set the right tone.
Treating your customers in the right way
Human beings are very perceptive creatures, and we pick up on the slightest movement or the most subtle expression or change of intonation. It can take a look, a single comment or a change of tone in a conversation to affect the way we feel about the person or people we’re talking to.
It’s critical to bear this in mind when meeting clients, welcoming customers to your business or speaking on the phone. Every customer wants to feel like their business is valued, and going the extra mile to make people feel special is always advantageous.
If the front of house staff are rude, or you’re made to feel like you’re putting somebody out by asking a question in a store, you’d probably think twice about going back, and you might also relay your experiences to others. Reviews hold a lot of power in this day and age, so it pays to go all-out to provide excellent customer service as standard.
As a business owner, you have a matter of seconds to impress potential customers. If your reviews could be better, or you’re not converting as many leads as you’d like, hopefully, this guide will help you boost your image and create the right impression.
