It can be a real challenge for start-ups to become legitimate businesses, or at least look the part. There’s a certain image that must be attained in order to be taken seriously, and that usually takes time. But there are short-cuts you can take so that your small business can create the big business image you are aspiring to. You just need to know what steps to take, where to spend money, and where to invest your time and efforts and you will see what a difference that can make.
Liverpool Science Park explains how a small business can achieve the big business image and create a professional impression.
Put some thought into your office space
You may not realise it, and you’re most likely underestimating its importance, but your office space is actually one of the primary aspects that you should be concerned with when building your image. Think about it like this – you and your team spend all of your time in this space and you must foster a professional, high-value environment. It will not only help with morale and general satisfaction, but it will also give you that big business image you are trying to achieve.
But that means that your office space cannot just be left to chance; you have to plan it accordingly, and perhaps, allow a professional team to design it and plan it for you. Using a purpose-built shared office space can give you a head start.
Shared offices give you one less thing you have to worry about, while still ensuring that you receive the best service possible and are able to create an office space that is worthy of a big business.
Be prepared to meet clients
If any part of your business is client-facing, then your office space is even more important, and you need to make sure that both the office and the staff are client ready. Client visits are the time when everything must be perfect and in tip-top shape. Your team should be dressed professionally, the office should be clean, and everything should be running smoothly. You want to give the impression of a big business that has everything figured out and does not need any help being professional.
Hire all the right people
There is one thing that sets you apart from other small businesses like yours and elevates you in the eyes of clients: your team has to be comprised of the best professionals in your field. Especially if you’re building your business from the ground up, these are the people that will be setting the base for your company. You want people who are young in spirit, with an open mind and who are aware of the latest developments in the industry, but they also need to have the necessary experience to carry your business on their shoulders.
Make sure your services are impeccable
It goes without saying that the first few months or years are absolutely critical to the image you are establishing for your business within your industry. You have the difficult task of ensuring there are no mistakes made during a time when you are still figuring things out and finding your feet. But most of all, you have to prioritise your clients, so your services cannot suffer and the quality cannot falter even a little bit. Your professionalism speaks through your work and client satisfaction, so that must always be perfect. Big businesses do not allow the public to see the cracks.
In conclusion, it is entirely possible for your small business to attain the big business image you were hoping for. You don’t have to have a massive business that’s been running for several years to impress clients and establish yourself as a major player in your chosen industry. In fact, you can take steps to ensure that you are just as well-known and respected as your peers who are bigger businesses.
Start out with perfecting your image by creating a very professional office space, gather a team of professionals that will build your business and elevate its image in the field, and above all, make sure that your services and client interaction are up to snuff. This is where every detail matters and a false step can send you crumbling.
More on office space and growing your business.
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