First Impressions

It only takes seven seconds to make a first impression on another human being, according to a study of communication. When we meet people for the first time, we make quick decisions about them based on their eye contact, appearance and verbal and nonverbal cues.

The same is true for your business.

For a majority of people these days the first exposure of contact to a business is through its website, therefore that is where they get their first impression of the business and the owners. A regularly updated website gives an impression of commitment, effort, reliability, and builds a sense of trust in the customer instantly. Updating the design of the website also keeps your online business fresh and on par with the latest web world trends.

In Networking

In a networking environment, in just a few seconds of your introduction, a person does a quick evaluation that can be difficult to undo. A good first impression with confidence and professionalism sets the tone for what you represent as you make contacts and build relationships. Your efforts toward creating a good first impression should leave a new contact with interest in a follow-up meeting and lead the contact to make referrals.

On the Telephone

When a person calls a business, the caller forms an opinion of the business based on the impression created by the employee who answers the phone. An employee who listens to a caller’s inquiry and offers to provide assistance creates feelings of reassurance and satisfaction. A caller who is put on hold may feel frustrated and irritated believing the business is not interested. Employee training can help ease tension on the phone to avoid answering calls with a stutter as a result of nerves. To a caller, tension creates an impression of inexperience.

In Sales

In sales, making a good first impression can make or break your livelihood. Customers lean on a sales person whom they feel cares about their needs and can be trusted. Making a customer wait, forgetting to say please and thank you, speaking condescendingly or making unpleasant faces does not work in favour of a salesperson. Instead, answering questions and solving problems promptly with a friendly disposition, conversing using the customer’s name during the dialogue, smiling and showing interest in the person creates an impression of warmth, concern and trust.

At the Front Desk

Clients are a business’s income source. If they are greeted for the first time by a receptionist who chews gum and is half asleep, it does not create a good first impression of the workplace. A receptionist should be trained to attract business by smiling no matter how awful her day is so that clients have the impression that they are the most important person in the room. The front desk person’s customer service ethics can be a business’s greatest asset.

If you are wanting to create the best first impression of your business, the Gold Coast Business Hub is the ideal place for you to host a meeting – in our selection of clean, bright, meeting rooms and boardroom.  Or choose to rent one of our fully serviced offices.  Our professional corporate concierge will meet and greet you and your clients, creating the best first impression of your company.