The roots of the modern office space go back to Victorian Britain, where large mercantile corporations like the East India Company required vast administrative staffs to maintain overseas colonies. By 1910, these spaces began resembling open concept offices, with huge square footage and personal desks for each employee. The cubicle system was introduced as the “Action Office” in 1964, creating the office space we all recognize today.
But, while there are certain similarities all offices will share, there’s no reason you can’t add some flair and character to yours. We’ve spoken about creating an incredible office experience before — if you’re new here, then read on to learn what you need to have in your office to make it special!
Welcome Screen
When a visitor first enters your office, what are they looking at? A friendly secretary? A welcoming, comfortable couch? How about a personalized welcome to your office?
Having their name up on a big screen makes visitors feel special and anticipated while showing that you are prepared, attentive, and ready to make an effort for them. A digital screen adds the ability to customize with backgrounds, fonts, and even video clips. (Just make sure the name is spelled right before you throw it up on the screen.)
You spend a lot of time and effort proving to people that you aren’t just another advisor. So, make sure you let others know they aren’t just another client or prospect.
Event Calendar & Accolades
Now that the visitor’s through the door, you’ll want to show that you know what you’re talking about. Instead of cornering a client and listing 30 years’ worth of accolades, make your financial experience part of your office experience!
Keep trophies and plaques placed and hung up around your lobby and in high-traffic hallways. Awards like “Best Financial Advisor 2024” or “Best Company to Work For” not only make for great decorations but add credibility to your practice.
In the same way, a calendar of events shows what you have coming up for your practice. Have a seminar or dinner on the horizon? Want to get the word out about your annual Halloween party at the office? Put them on the calendar and hang it up for everyone to see.
QR Codes
If you’ve been to a restaurant since 2020, you’re intimately familiar with the QR code. While it’s yet to replace all physical menus and handouts, it’s still pretty ubiquitous. That means visitors to your office will recognize them — and better yet, know to engage with them!
Use QR codes to link to your website, your YouTube channel, your Facebook page — any place online you want clients to get their eyes on and engage with. This gets your brand out into the public while also giving guests something to read while waiting for their appointment.
Drink Menu
So, your guests are checked in. What now? How about a cold beverage to tide them over?
A compact, well-stocked mini-fridge does wonders for a waiting area. A custom drink menu lets guests know their options and shows you care about their office experience. Keep a variety of drinks on hand to cover potential tastes — some guests might just want a plain bottle of water, while others could prefer a sparkling water or diet cola.
It’s also a good idea to demarcate between the guest fridge and your company fridge. This way, employees aren’t accidentally dipping into the guest drinks, depleting your supply before a client can help themselves. You’ll eventually tell your guests how you’ll be putting their financial interests first, so it’s good to keep that consistency, all the way down to something as simple as a refreshment.
Baked Goods
Expanding on the drink menu, something to nibble on is never a detriment. You can easily add snacks like chips, pretzels, and candies to your lobby, and they’ll likely go over well. But, to take your office experience to the next level, baked goods like cookies and brownies bring a personal touch to the office snack. Walking into a new office to be greeted by the smell of warm cookies makes for an unforgettable moment — and, likely, a satisfied client.
This can also be an opportunity to cross-promote with other local businesses. If a small shop near you has popular items, there could be a way to team up with the owner and have a new home for your brand presence, which can put your name and services in front of a brand-new audience.
All of the above can elevate your office experience, but don’t be afraid to customize with your own decorations! Something unique to your practice — one advisor of ours keep a suit of armor in their lobby — keeps you at the center, and keeps your office personal, inviting, and a visit to remember.
