You occasionally need to meet with clients or vendors when you work from home. How can you meet safely while making a great impression? All it takes is forethought and careful home office design.
The following guide provides some great resources to help you make the most of this meeting space…
Designate an area of your home for business
If you plan to invite clients to your home, you should have an area set aside for business purposes. Consider converting a room into an office, which can increase your property value as well as impress visitors. If you plan to add an office, track improvements with photos to help you determine the increase in your home’s value.
Update your software
Taking advantage of a virtual space for business dealings is an excellent way to improve efficiency while keeping employees and clients safe. For example, integrating invoice and payment software allows you to track funds while providing customers with convenient ways to pay.
Additionally, video conferencing allows for face-to-face communication without leaving your desk. There are some privacy concerns, so you should consider the following before choosing a video conferencing software:
- Licensing terms and agreements
- Privacy controls
- Recording capabilities
- Consent requirements
Create a Mask Policy
Limiting contact during in-person meetings is essential for everyone’s safety. To that end, you should wear a mask when meeting clients and require them to do the same. Studies show that masks with the following features filter out 79% of airborne particles:
- Metal nose bridge
- Filter insert
- Two layers of nylon fabric
Additionally, try to keep at least six feet apart whenever possible.
Upgrade your air filtration system
The latest heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems produce clean air with the help of ultraviolet radiation. UV rays kill bacteria and viruses, making this feature a powerful tool in preventing the spread of illnesses. If you anticipate regularly meeting clients in your home, upgrading your HVAC system is an excellent investment.
Ensure good ventilation
Good ventilation is another way to prevent the spread of illnesses. If your office has windows, you can encourage natural ventilation by keeping them open. You can also run your HVAC system or use a fan to increase airflow in your office.
Choose a neutral colour palette
Your home office’s color palette is one of the first things clients will notice. To create a relaxing atmosphere that doesn’t feel too clinical, choose a neutral paint color, such as:
- Seafoam
- Navy blue
- Pale gray
- Cream
Optimize space
You don’t want clients to feel cramped, so optimize your office to make it feel spacious. Even if you have limited space, you can still make your office feel open with the following design tricks:
- Store or discard any unnecessary items
- Choose a light paint color
- Utilize vertical space for storage
- Bring in as much natural light as possible
Stay organized
A cluttered desk doesn’t look professional, so it’s essential to organize your workspace before seeing clients. Find a place for every item and return it when you’re done using it. Drawer organizers are a cheap, easy way to create designated spaces for office supplies.
Embody your brand
Whether you’re meeting clients in your office or it’s serving as the background of a virtual conference, the space should embody your brand. You can ensure your surroundings align with your company values by matching decor to your brand’s tone. For example, if your business is all about streamlining, you can reinforce that idea with a minimalist design.
Putting forth the effort to keep clients comfortable and safe shows how much you value them. With conscious design choices, you can create the perfect environment for strong business relationships.
If you’re looking to grow and increase your business, Expert Velocity can help provide you with the marketing assets that can help propel your business forward. Drop us a message to learn more.
