Make A Powerful First Impression For Your
Small Business.
Be Unique and Stand Out With Your Clients and Customers. A Wall Mounted Waterfall Fountain Grab People's Attention.
First impressions are so important when it comes to gaining the confidence of potential clients and associates. Despite the fact that they can be very misleading,
we often make very quick judgments regarding an individual or company based on a first impression. Like it or not, these impressions are made before anything is even said
or done and are typically strictly based on appearance. We have all done it and will continue to do it. Sometimes we're right, but often we can be very wrong.
Millions of dollars are spent every year to create a bigger and stronger first impression and even more money is being made. Big businesses have been using
water wall fountains
to impress and impact their customers and clients, and it's been working, but before we go there, let's explore the importance of making a strong first impression for small businesses as well.
The idea of creating incorrect first impressions reminds me of a story I heard from a very successful entrepreneur. Darren was out for an evening walk and ice cream in
the park with his family on a beautiful summer evening. As they strolled through a section of the city they seldom visited they passed by a small Porsche dealership.
After strolling through the yard they found a sportster convertible that caught their attention. Darren entered the dealership in his casual shorts, t-shirt and sandals to
inquire about the vehicle. There seemed to be only one person in the small showroom and he was deep in social conversation on the phone. With his feet up on the desk, a
milkshake in one hand and phone in the other he kept on in conversation making casual glances over to Darren periodically.
Darren could hear the conversation and it was definitely not business and could have easily been ended to make a potential sale. After which seemed like forever Darren
left in disgust, never to return. Darren recognized the casual glances from the sales person as he looked over his shoulder and 'eyed him up'. By all appearances, not
only his dress, but the dress of his family outside the show room window would indicate that he was strictly a tire kicker, yet Darren could have easily paid cash for the
car. What's the point? We need to be careful about what image we portray and judgments we make based on appearance.
I could take us in two directions with the analogy above. I think it is obvious the mistake that the salesman made, and detrimentally affected both Darren and the
salesman. It challenged Darren to be on his guard as deals may be lost or not even come his way based on how people perceive him solely based on appearance. Most of us
have heard at least a million times the importance of looking our best for an interview or important 'one shot' presentation. It's a no brainer. It is easy to think about
when we apply these principles to our personal appearance, but how about the space in which you work?
Business author and consultant Michael Gerber summed it up best in his book
"The E Myth Revised"
, "A business that looks orderly says to your customer that your people know what they are doing. " The context in which Michael wrote these profound words is somewhat
different, however the message applies very clearly to the impact of physical appearance in regards to business.
It is important that you make a strong statement to your potential customers that portrays the image you want them to have about you and your business. It is important
to have the look and feel of your business space consistent with the image you want to portray. Despite the choice of décor I suggest that an indoor fountain or
waterfall be something for you to consider. They really can make a bold statement and also bring an inviting calmness to the office atmosphere.
It can truly be a wonder how an indoor water feature can add to your image and the feel within the interior of your building.
Interior wall water fountains
within a building have been typically associated with very successful and prosperous businesses and people. In recent years it has become much more affordable and
realistic for small businesses with a small decorating budget to give the appearance and image of the larger more established businesses. There is a definite allure with
both the sights and sounds of moving water that can make a strong statement especially if it includes a company logo or incorporates a product display.
When Brent was remodeling his bar he was looking for a bold new look that set him apart from the other establishments on the block. After visiting a local spa for a
gift for his wife his attention was drawn to the display case for the spa's merchandise and products. Within the product display was cascading water over the glass
backdrop of the case. Then it hit him; cascading water on the glass backdrop behind the bar! What if there was water running down the back wall behind his merchandise
(bottles and glasses) behind the bar? After developing the idea even further he had his logo engraved in the glass. What a transformation of a rather typical bar.
Along with the water feature Brent also included some colored accent lighting that truly makes the wall come to life. And really that's what moving water does to a display.
It creates movement and emotion. It draws attention and gets noticed.
Give yourself permission to let your imagination run a little wild. Regardless of your business you could likely create an impression with water that will create a
unique feel to you and your business. Whether it is a very elegant, classy, wall mounted unit, a product display case, or a small unit on a desk top, indoor water fountains
are a unique feature inviting or drawing curious people in. They can also be simply a means to bring peace in a rather stressful environment like a funeral home or
dentist office.
Consider the possibilities and options, but regardless, make sure you portray the image you want your clients, employees and potential customers to see. What is the
décor and feel of your building telling the people that visit your business? Does the look and feel of the physical building accurately give the impression that you are
operating a vibrant, up-to-date, effective business that is riding the cutting edge? It's often the small details and small things in life that can tip the scales in your
favor over and above your competition. Don't let your competitor get the advantage because you weren't thinking about your first impression. And maybe you can think
outside the box like Brent and make a real splash with your new look.
Garth Epp is an entrepreneur from central Canada who has been fascinated by allure and mystery of moving water and also the inner working of business online. He has
combined both loves by creating
Premium Indoor Fountains.com
, an information based website introducing visitors to the wonder of indoor fountains.
| 