Two simple things that make a difference
The small things in life can make a big difference – someone opens a door for you, your greeted with a smile and hello at the supermarket checkout, or a random stranger picks up something that you dropped or prompts you to tuck in a tag that’s showing on your jumper.
Something so small and seemingly inconsequential can have a considerable effect to brighten your day – and the same can be said in business.
Small things in business
Remembering how these little things impact your personal life, have you ever considered how little things can improve the perception of your business? There is so much potential to impact your brand and customer experience by encouraging and role modelling good manners and thoughtfulness, backed by the psychological phenomena of social proof.
‘Social proof’ explains a fundamental human behaviour where we copy the actions of others. It’s a sign of conformity that’s very prominent in humanity.
It is nothing new to psychologists, and it’s nothing new to many successful marketers because it is often exploited in marketing.
In an age where we have to make sacrifices in business and find ways to save money, it’s instrumental to start using smaller things that will make a big difference for your firm.
Of the hundreds of things that are worth doing, we want to mention only two for your firm, that will impact those who visit your offices for meetings and events. They are surprisingly easy and may surprise you at the same time.
Two small things to implement
- Keep your office bathroom clean and well stocked. It might sound silly at first, but the brand damage that can be caused by a terribly kept bathroom is immense. Imagine this situation: You end a successful meeting with a client. You feel thrilled at how well it all went. You felt a real vibe and real understanding between the two of you. The potential in working together will be both personally rewarding, as well as beneficial to your firm. They have a similar feeling and leave the meeting glad to have chosen to meet with you. They take a look at your million dollar view, get a smile from your receptionist, and are feeling that you have their best interests at heart and can truly support them to achieve their goals. Then they visit your bathroom – and the goodwill you have built is suddenly ‘flushed down the toilet’. It is unclean, toilet paper is strewn across the floor and none is left in the toilet cubicle. If your firm cares so little about the state of their bathroom and the people using it, how can they care for the details of this new assignment?
- Mind your manners! Another small thing that makes a huge difference. It is not expensive, it just requires thoughtfulness. Be polite. Speak nicely to others. Listen intently. You’ll notice that staff and clients will appreciate your care. It shows Bear in mind that by manners we also mean returning phone calls, responding to emails, sending thank you cards, following up on your promises, checking in after an event or meeting, and much more.
Start being a true leader and start caring about the little things in your business!