Your Office Space Is An Extension Of Your Brand

 
Lets face it, from the first second a potential client, partner, investor or employee steps foot into your office space, your company is being judged. Whether consciously or sub-consciously, a visitor to your space will make some initial assumptions about your company based on the aesthetics, cleanliness, culture, design, vibe, lighting, noise levels, floor plan, temperature, furnishings, etc. of your office.

Does this mean that every office needs to look like Google's headquarters?

NOT AT ALL.

It simply means that if the elements above are not consistent with the rest of your brand/corporate message, you could be creating an unnecessary strike one against your company.

Here are a few examples of an office sending an inconsistent brand message:

- You're an interior design firm but your reception area is cluttered with torn furniture that looks like it was purchased at a garage sale.

- Your start-up company is playing host to a group of penny-wise investors and your space is decked out with the most expensive italian leather furniture that money can buy.

- You're a corporate attorney dealing with very sensitive information and your client's files are openly displayed on your desk.

- Your an office furniture company and your space is completely furnished with another companies furniture. 

- You're a graphic design/branding firm with an outdated corporate logo emblazoned throughout your office.

Stepping back and really looking at your office space from an outside perspective can be difficult if not impossible. By clearly defining your brand, identifying the types of visitors you will be hosting and being crystal clear about what you want your space to portray about your company, you put yourself in a much better position to get valuable 3rd party input.

Perhaps you can create a short survey and invite a few friends and family members to visit your space and offer feedback. This exercise might give you a much better idea of what vibe your office is giving off.

Of course if you're an entrepreneur or small business looking to share space within an existing office, your ability to control every element will be somewhat limited. With that said, you can still do your best to search for available options that best represent your brand. 

Much like your companies website, your office space can go a long way to help ensure that your brand message is consistent.

Save the strike one's for next months opening day.

Related Posts

Shared Office Space Part 1 | An Entrepreneurs Perspective 

Shared Office Space Part 2 | A Space Holders Perspective

  

   

Comments

[Greg Hoffmeister]

This is so true. You only really get one chance to make that "first" impression. What startups need to remember is that inexpensive space doesn't need to look "cheap". Splashes of color on certain walls, lighting and cool/slick Ikea furniture can really make a difference without breaking the bank.

[Jamie Arent @ computer chair]

back pain- desk job- chair pillow?