Your Office Reflects Your Standards
I was visiting a local hospital and saw this sign outside their orthopedic unit. It was like an episode of Wheel of Fortune.
THE GOL_ S_ _ _DARD IN ORTHOPEDIC CARE.
It took me a while to figure this one out. In fact, I walked by it for a few days, before I realized what it said.
They had been awarded “The Gold Standard in Orthopedic Care” for total hip & knee replacement.
Based on the condition of their sign, I questioned if they truly live up to that reputation.
If you are going to talk about excellence, make sure that every aspect of your company maintains that excellence. Failure to pay attention to the details may result in loss of patient confidence and loss of clients.
If your office looks disorganized, the information is out of date, or you are out of supplies, it reflects an attitude of carelessness, a lack of attention to details and poor planning. Clients may think… If they can’t run their office, can I trust them to do their job well?
We’ve said it before, and it bears repeating. Take a look at your business from a customer’s point of view. Walk in the front door, sit in the waiting room, walk through the office, what do you see?
This walk-through concept doesn’t apply just to medical offices.
Whether you offer TVs, tuxedos, or tax preparation services, if you own a business, stand on the other side of the sales counter or sit in the customer’s chair. Look up, look down. Is the signage readable, is the information current, is it comfortable and inviting? Do your surroundings reflect a place of excellence?
Of course, every office needs to have things fixed or updated. When this happens, let your clients know that the disarray is the exception, not the norm. Posting a simple sign that acknowledges the areas that you are working on shows that you are in the process of improvement…not in the process of falling apart!
First impressions make a difference in how you are perceived. Make sure you set the right tone the minute people walk in the door.