“The most Beloved Brands are either different, better or cheaper. Or else, not around for very long.”
Firm Branding
Branding your business is important. It helps customers and prospects identify with your business. Consistent use of your logo and presentation of materials is critical to building that recognition.
Also consider your business name. What message is that sending to customers and prospects about the type of work you can do for them?
Firm Presentation
The following six (6) simple tips can be easily implemented to make your business stand out in the marketplace:
Signage: Your signage and the way your business looks is the first thing your prospects and customers see and relates to the image and positioning of your business as a whole. As such, it needs to be uniform in format, consistent with your decor and style as well as your logo and branding. If your signage can be seen from a prominent position such as a road or freeway, it should offer easy-to-read phone numbers or your web address.
Office Entry: Is the entrance to your office clean and tidy? No faded or peeling paint?
Reception: Is your reception sparkling clean at all times? Is it maintained? Avoid burnt-out light bulbs, stained carpets and dusty reception furniture. Create a great client experience at the onset by having your receptionist exude an air professionalism while being pleasant and accommodating to a client or prospect’s needs. Have them offer refreshments or validate their parking.
Waiting Area Reading Material: Are your reception magazines current, or two years old with torn and tatty corners?
Technology: Does your equipment look modern, or are you still running huge old monitors that are by now noisy and discoloured with age?
Internal Signage: Do you have signage inside your office that helps your customers and prospects understand what you do? For example, marketing posters, brochures, menu of services, business building articles and business growth newsletters? Do you have a multimedia presentation running in your reception that talks about the benefits to a customer of working with you?
Once again, step back and take an objective look at your business through fresh eyes. Does your business look like one that is at the leading edge, up-to-date, sharp and exciting? Or does it look a little tired, out of date and behind the times?
Like it or not, this is what will be going through the minds of your customers and prospects (whether they know it or not!) so what are you doing right now to ensure your business stands out from the crowd?
Please contact Integrity One if we can assist you with this or any other business or financial matter.
Phone: (03) 9723 0522
Suite 2, 1 Railway Crescent
Croydon, Victoria 3136
Email: integrityone@iplan.com.au
This information is of a general nature and does not take into consideration anyone’s individual circumstances or objectives. Financial Planning activities only are provided by Integrity One Planning Services Pty Ltd as a Corporate Authorised Representative No. 315000 of Integrity Financial Planners Pty Ltd ABN 71 069 537 855 AFSL 225051. Integrity One Planning Services Pty Ltd and Integrity One Accounting and Business Advisory Services Pty Ltd are not liable for any financial loss resulting from decisions made based on this information. Please consult your adviser before making decisions using this information.