Press
When Image is a Factor in Making Sure Your Business Succeeds, Looking and Being Professional is Always Key
October 06, 2003
October 6 2003 - Ft. Lauderdale, Florida - When one takes the leap into starting their own business, they don't always think about the appearance of their business. They may think about complete freedom, unlimited opportunities, and dreams realized. However, many entrepreneurs, and even established companies don't realize the importance of their business image. In most cases, it's even more important than their physical appearance.
There have been many cases where an entrepreneur is about to "seal the deal," but then, the client books a meeting and wants to conduct it at the business address, only to find out that the entrepreneur works out of cramped and unorganized headquarters in their home or out of a small disorganized office space that they are subletting through a company that does not match the goals of the business. The sale is lost. Is this the way you want to conduct business? Is the type of business you're considering suited for a home office? How will you deal with customers, clients, and suppliers? Can you work productively at home, considering all the distractions?
It all sounds so complicated, but the solution is rather easy. What separates those who succeed from those who fail? Knowledge of the business, sufficient capital, good experience, and a unique idea at the right time are just some of the characteristics of a successful business owner. Although there isn't any way that you can guarantee that you'll become a successful owner, you can greatly improve your odds by becoming well-prepared for the task. Then, there's location...it is so important. And so are the qualities of the facility where you conduct business. The suitability of the physical environment of your business should be re-evaluated periodically in terms of image, overhead costs, and efficiency. You can choose the traditional route, or you can consider an office business center. As stated in the Black's Guide, "The use of an Office Business Center/Executive Suites is among the most popular options exercised by small companies and sizeable corporations. When you move in, your neighbors are likely to be small real estate and investment companies, consultants, lawyers, advertising agencies, and other businesses that want to limit their investment in support services, without relinquishing them entirely. By sharing access to clerical support, conference facilities, state-of-the-art technologies, and equipment, a company can occupy space in a desirable location at a cost that is less than that of a conventional leasing arrangement." As noted by the United States Chamber of Commerce, many growing service businesses do well in an executive office business center.
One such center is The Crexent Business Centers, now operating 5 centers, with 2 more on the way, throughout South Florida. The Crexent Business Centers offer various programs for various types of companies. For instance, they have Executive Programs that are perfect for small business start-ups or even major corporations looking to move into new space, while at the same time taking advantage of all the savings offered through shared amenities. They also offer Business Identity programs that are ideal for a business that needs an identity in a professional atmosphere at a prestigious location with the availability of temporary office space, if needed. For more information regarding these programs, log on to www.thecrexent.com.
The beauty of such centers like the Crexent Business Centers is that they meet what most people visualize as the ideal facility for your business. Most people think about the interior layout...how it could be decorated to provide the capabilities and business atmosphere that best suits your operation. Or they may envision its exterior...its appearance (and that of surrounding buildings) and the impression that it conveys about your business, its location (is it on well-traveled streets), and does it have ample parking? Possibly they think about the community in which the business is located. Will it be in the heart of a large city or in a small town? Will its location provide necessities such as a trained workforce or convenient access to a major airport or other transportation facilities? Can you locate it "anywhere," or will you count on your presence in a particular location to make a statement about your business? Howard J. Zimmerman, the Managing Partner for The Crexent Business Centers is proud to state, "We have already taken all of these factors into consideration for our clients. People who lease space from a Crexent Business Center location, whether it's in Miami Lakes, Ft. Lauderdale or Bonita Springs, can be rest assured that we have already done all of this research for them."
The US Chamber of Commerce confirms that everything connected with your business should lead customers to believe their product or service needs will be met to their satisfaction. Your business facility can make a powerful statement about your business. It should, of course, be the type of statement that will present your business in a good light. If your business regularly deals with retail customers, then the question of what will put your business in a good light will be closely related to what kind of business it is. If customers don't enter your facility, the facility's appearance usually will be less important. But this doesn't mean that you can totally ignore the issue, since no matter what your business is, someone will see it - your employees, suppliers, and certainly yourself. Thus, it should be clean and well-maintained, and should serve as an efficient tool of your business. If it is otherwise, you risk having suppliers (and employees) question your business's prospects for long-term survival. At a minimum, your business site should not demotivate anyone (including you!) who works there. If you expect your business facility to help customers view your business as you would like them to, they must see it as evidence that you (rather than your competitor) understand their needs and desires.
What kind of statement would you want your facility to make about the business? What would put it in a good light? Put yourself in your customers' shoes. As a potential consumer of your company's products or services, what kind of facility would make you want to step inside to do business?
For more information on how to make your business look the best it can be, contact Camie Dunbar at 786-236-0866 or camie@athena-marketing.com.