Improving Your Business’s First Impression: From the Guard Booth Up

Making a solid first impression is the key to retaining customers, clients, and partners. In order to provide your company’s visitors with a positive experience, it’s crucial that you make them feel safe. Naturally, your building’s security plays a major role in how your company is viewed, so don’t take security infrastructure lightly. A guard booth may be a valuable addition to your property, in more ways than one.

Show Visitors That You Care

Your environment says a lot about your business. From decor to cleanliness, little details can leave a lasting impression on visitors. When they enter the premises, a guard booth is an immediate sign that your business is going the extra mile to provide a safe environment. Additionally, your guests will feel secure knowing they have a point of contact readily available if they have any issues.

Prevent Crime

Besides making visitors feel welcome, a security booth also acts as a deterrent to criminals. When it comes to security in the workplace, the best approach is to hope for the best, but plan for the worst. Even if you’ve never had any sort of breach in the past, it’s impossible to predict what the future could hold.

Other Steps you Can Take to Improve Security

A security booth is typically the first thing visitors see, but it should be the beginning of your security protocol — not the end. After your guests have gained clearance, it’s important that they feel safe and secure for the entire duration of their stay. Here are some other ways you can create a safe workplace and deliver a positive first impression every time:

• Use key cards to prevent unauthorized entrance to certain rooms and areas
• Provide guests with photo badges
• Install visible security cameras
• Make sure security guards/and or staff members are readily available for assistance
• Keep the layout of furniture and infrastructure organized and consistent
• Provide an escort all the way from point A to B so visitors don’t get lost or feel alone
• Post security guards in strategic locations
• Communicate emergency protocol to all employees
• Give all personnel access to backup communications equipment, including two-way radios, duress alarms, and intercoms

Little Details Matter

Customer loyalty requires ongoing vigilance. After all, one blunder can have permanent repercussions. In addition to losing a customer, your business could be liable for damages, which can be devastating to your company’s reputation and finances. While preventing major incidents is essential, don’t forget to pay attention to the minor details, too.

For example, say you have a visitor who’s considering investing in your company. If they walk in and see a trash can overflowing, their perspective might shift just enough to make them change their mind. Or, if they see you throw away a sensitive document without shredding it, they may not feel comfortable moving forward.

These types of ‘minor’ details may not seem like a big deal on paper, but they really do add up, so nipping them in the bud is critical. Your visitors might not even be able to point to a single issue as the reason why they changed their mind. It’s all about the larger picture. That’s why your goal should be to provide a flawless experience from the moment they pull up to your property until they leave.

Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late

Whether your company is a two-person startup or a major corporation, security must be a priority. There’s a lot to think about when running a business, so it’s easy to overlook security, but that’s a big mistake.

It’s also easy to become so accustomed to your surroundings that you don’t realize security flaws. You may want to ask a trusted friend or family member to visit the premises and provide honest feedback about their first impression. You could also hire a security consultant to analyze your protocol and recommend specific changes.

Be Friendly and Welcoming

Yes, security is vital, but you don’t want to make guests feel nervous either. If your premises resemble a maximum security prison, visitors might start to wonder why. Try to find a balance between infrastructure that inspires confidence without instilling fear and intimidation. A friendly smile also goes a long way in reassuring guests and helping them feel at ease.

Foster an environment that’s warm and welcoming, while also ensuring that guests can see that they’re in good hands if an emergency situation should occur. Make sure everyone on your staff is on the same page, and invest in quality security infrastructure that you can depend on for years to come. That’s how you keep visitors coming back.