May 29, 2011. Paul Hixon
The switch from a small company to a larger one means that you must adapt and act like a bigger company from now on. And bigger companies have reception areas where people are greeted and helped in any way they need to.
These companies follow a certain reception area etiquette which means to take care of your guests as they might just be your next client. A very important thing to remember is that if your receptionists don’t know what they should be doing they won’t do it.
You, as the owner are responsible for showing them exactly what to say, do and how to act with the people they will come in contact with. You must also accentuate their extreme importance in the well being of the company so that they know were they stand. Also, pay them well and watch them so they don’t screw up. Invest in them, as you are investing in reception chairs and reception desks, so that they know what needs to be done and make sure they do it.
One of the most important job in the world is that of a receptionist, yet there are so many that do not see it this way. What they don’t realize is the fact that they are, in their own way, building the company they work for. Because they are the ones that create boundaries between the company and potential clients, their job, behind those reception desks, is important. Here are some tips to do it better:
The first rule is to: focus on visitors!
This is a very important rule (probably the most important) because if you attention is distracted by something else then you will do a poor job of helping visitors. When someone enters you must immediately give them a pleasant smile and use your body language to tell them that they are welcome here and they can ask questions that you will help them with. This needs time to actually master, but no one was a master at first. In time, you will learn what needs to be done and become better!
You will learn that you must offer your visitor a chair while he is waiting, maybe even a coffee if your company has that option. You will learn that you can also ask for his coat so that he gets more comfortable. Try to answer all of his questions and do it with a pleasant, warm voice so that he is encouraged to ask more questions. Be generally pleasant and you will be winning the battle and attracting a new client for the company.
Updated May 29, 2011. Published March 27, 2011. Paul Hixon
