Take Time for Order and Appearance

by Bill Krause

Have you taken a good look at the outward appearance of your place of business lately? Have you viewed your place of business the way your customers see your business?

One day this week, get to work fifteen minutes earlier than usual. Make the time to drive through the parking lot and ask yourself, “By this presentation what am I saying to my customers before they even walk into my place of business?

Is there trash in the parking lot? Are the bushes trimmed? Can the parking lines be seen clearly? Are all the parking lot lights and sign lights burning bright?

When you walk in the front door are there fingerprints for all to see? The aisle ways are they cluttered or clear? Is there good signage that gives me a clue to what I am looking for as a customer? Are the carpets clean? What do people see when they walk around the inside of your business?

Is the public area warm and inviting or cold and disgusting? Price is important to people, but so is order and ambience.

Look up. Are there burned out bulbs? What does the ceiling look like? Are there enough cobwebs to make you eligible to film a horror show?

We have a tendency to get used to the way things are. Things out of order become part of our natural, everyday way of doing business if we live that way long enough. We need to take a fresh look at our business environment, assess the situation and make the necessary improvements.

After you have invested a few dollars and some number of hours, it is now time for the test.

Call a friend who will be honest with you, invite them to do the same tour and give you a report. Ask them to give you an honest evaluation of what needs to be done to be “customer appealing” and “business ready”.

Read the report with an open and willing heart. Be ready to do what it takes to make your business more “customer friendly”, ready to serve their needs.

Now that you have invested more dollars and more hours into your business, based on your friends’ insight, we will now move into phase three. Ask a couple of good customers to help you improve your customer appeal by reviewing the appearance of your business, outside and in. Listen to what they have to say, knowing that this is for your benefit.

After a few more dollars and wisely invested hours, you have created an environment that will enhance your customer presentation and service.

Then mark it on your calendar now to do this process again in another six months. This will keep your business looking fresh, vibrant and appealing, retaining old customers and drawing in new.