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Muraspec - It’s official, first impressions really do count for businesses - if you’re not up to scratch expect to lower your prices!
Although we are continually being told that
first impressions count, a new survey out today by Muraspec,
leading manufacturer of wall coverings, shows that they not only
count, but they can affect the bottom line of UK businesses!
Hitting hard, this survey was carried out with over 100 decision
makers in small to medium sized UK companies across a variety of
business sectors.
It’s official, bad first impressions will cost your business
money. When asked if the state of someone’s offices would affect
their overall purchasing decision, almost two thirds (62%) of
respondents said that it would be harder for the supplier to
secure their business! In addition, when questioned about the
affect first impressions have on them when walking into their
suppliers offices, over a third of respondents said that shabby
offices would make them expect a price reduction when
negotiating business! However, for under £2,000, a UK small
business can strengthen their position with suppliers and
customers, simply by refurbishing their reception area.
Not only is it money that is at stake, a company’s reputation
and it’s ability to retain and recruit new staff can all be
affected if the physical premises aren’t up to scratch. Just as
a limp handshake won’t get you a job, a ‘limp’ reception area,
will be an equally great turn off. No matter how much money is
spent on advertising and PR, if you have visitors to the office,
the physical state of the building is still important. Asked
whether the condition of a company’s office reflected what their
overall brand stood for, 88% of respondents said it did and over
half (55%) said that they would trust a company less if their
offices were shabby and scruffy.
It needn’t cost millions to revamp. For under £2000, a reception
can be given a clean and modern look using the latest in
wallcoverings to create a positive impact on staff, customers
and suppliers. When asked what first impacted them on entering a
potential supplier’s building, over two thirds (68%) of
respondents said that they noticed the cleanliness and décor of
the reception area. However, whatever is done to improve the
overall first impression given to visitors, it will be money
well spent, as over two thirds (68%) of respondents said that
they expected an improved environment to alter the perception
visitors had to the company.
Richard Wallington, Muraspec’s head of marketing, comments: “We
commissioned this survey as we wanted to see if first
impressions really did still matter or not in this world of
virtual electronic relationships. It seems that from a customers
point of view, if they are called upon to visit their supplier,
or potential supplier at all, then first impressions do still
count – a lot. In fact, we were shocked at the number of
respondents who actually said that they would expect a reduced
price if the premises didn’t give off the correct image! Having
only recently refurbished our own reception area, I must admit
the results have come as a pleasant re-enforcement of the money
we have invested!”
Email:
dcharcharos@publicasity.co.uk