Authored By: Iris Garrett
Now that spring is here, many of us are gearing up for an annual spring cleaning. Whether it’s your closet that needs sorting or a bigger project like sprucing up a community, spring is always a great time to update your space and start anew.
But what if you finish all the work at home and need another project? Well, then you may want to turn your attention to your law office. A new survey suggests having a cluttered work space can have a huge impact on potential new business. Stephen Fairley of The Rainmaker Institute writes about the findings in an article in The National Law Review. He says nearly 34% of people surveyed say clutter would most likely give them a negative first impression when visiting an office. Fairley says clutter ranked high for men and women and for all age groups. There were noticeable differences in surveyors, however, when questioned about the second biggest turnoff. Overall, nearly 25% of responders considered poorly dressed staff to be the second most off-putting attribute, but when broken down between demographics, it was women and those between the ages of 56-64 who were more clearly bothered by poor dress. Fairley says men thought lack of natural light was the second attribute most likely to create a bad impression. Also, dated décor ranked third overall in office turnoffs, but it actually ranked second for people 25-34.
So, how should these statistics impact your office spring cleaning? Fairley suggests installing in-desk power modules (they will allow you to plug in your devices through your desk), using wireless chargers for your cellphones, and storing extra cables together inside a cable spine or basket out of sight. He says making these simple aesthetic changes will make your office as desirable as the clients you want to attract. Fairley also suggests tidying up other areas within your practice like phone etiquette, the process of signing up a client, and exit interviews. He says all are ways a new prospect comes into contact with your firm, and all have the potential of making a good or bad first impression.
Don’t let the look or feel of your office cost your business, read Stephen Fairley’s full article and get started on your office cleanup today!
Photo Credit:gemenacom