The Tribune

By Ian Ferguson

Research has indicated that a healthy work space and attractive office environment adds value to the atmosphere that is created for employees, customers and the public at large.

One of the five expectations of customers accessing a place of work is the tangible. The smell, look and feel of the physical space is crucial to how the people that access the facilities respond to the commerce that occurs. Perhaps unconsciously, there are certain places where you would much rather not go or spend time. You may not even be able to determine why. Chances are, those places do not aesthetically appeal to you, and your brain has processed and categorised these places as undesirable ones. As a business community, we must be very aware and concerned with the physical environment that we are subjecting our customers and employees to.

We continue to harp on within the corporate world about the need for our businesses to become more focused on the customer. The ‘customer is king’ must not be the clich� that we use in commercials, only to have our customers meet a different environment when they arrive at the door.

A work space can feel very uninviting if deliberate actions are not taken to make customers feel welcome and important by what is affixed in the work station. Simple things such as proper lighting, a security presence, a water cooler and coffee station let the customer know we are concerned about their comfort and safety. Your customer will take their lasting impression of your business within the first 10 seconds of being there. Be sure, from your entrance to your counter and everything they can see beyond, including the look, feel and smell, are all pleasant ones.

The company truly serious about enhancing the work space must also consider that how a business looks impacts and reflects the brand of that organisation. An individual is regarded as professional if they look the part and present themselves professionally. You do not want to conduct business with an undesirable who is unkempt, untidy and poorly dressed. Likewise, a business must dress the part and not rely on the superior products it delivers or the technically astute staff it employs. The logo, company’s mission, vision, core values, a beautiful paint job - with appropriate accessories orderly and fashion consciously placed, must all adorn the business place for people to respect the company as a professional environment concerned with its image and place in the community.

Perhaps the most critical reason for the business owner to pay special attention to the look and feel of the work-space is the environment that it creates for the employee. A comfortable, lively and attractive office, warehouse or store is crucial to the temperament of the staff. People work with greater ease in an environment that is happy, eye-catching and upbeat. The result, then, and natural progression is happy employees enthused to work well with their colleagues, and encouraged to give their best to their customers.

Inspect your place of work today and do your part in making your work station a more inviting one.

NB: Ian R. Ferguson was educated locally, regionally and internationally, having earned a Master’s Degree in Education from the University of Miami. During the course of his nearly 20 years in education, talent management and human resources, he has served both the public and private sector in senior management roles. He currently serves as manager of the Chamber Institute, and as a local consultant in the field, having assisted hundreds of local and regional businesses in improving business and service excellence through their human capital.