HOW A LAW OFFICE’S DESIGN CAN WIN (OR LOSE) CLIENTS
It’s no secret that the legal profession is one of the most competitive fields around. In order to be a successful law firm, you need to be competent, savvy and always prepared. What’s more, you need to ensure that you are attracting the right kinds of clients.
When searching for the ideal client, different firms try different strategies. Some opt for advertising. Others network and rely on referrals. And we all know law firms who host seminars in hopes of winning over clients. Whatever your firm’s marketing strategy is, one key element should not be overlooked: your office design.
While certainly everyone is cognizant of the condition of his or her office, few of us really ever stops to consider the impact that it has on our guests.
Entering an office that you have never visited is a visceral experience. On some level, all of our surroundings are sending us a message about the people who we are visiting. Even the minor details in an office—but especially the major ones—can play a major role in determining whether or not we ever step foot in that office again.
As such, it is important for all legal professionals to really evaluate their office design. What message does the layout of your office convey to your visitors? Is it helping you in signing the right kinds of clients? Realistically, how much is your current office costing you in lost opportunities? What’s more, how is your design impacting your firm and your career?
Take a moment to consider just a few elements that have a major impact on your office design:
How does your lobby greet your clients?
The lobby is where visitors get their very first impression about your firm. Lobby areas that are crowded can make everyone who enters feel uncomfortable. After all, who wants to be crammed into a small space with strangers when we are considering legal options that could impact the rest of our lives? Providing an open area gives a sense of freedom and well-being. It gives your visitors a place to breathe, relax, and digest the emotions that are influencing their decision-making.
Beyond that, the furniture in every legal office needs to be tasteful and understated. Sure, you want to stand out among the competition. But you don’t want to be known as the law office with hideous furniture. Get something simple yet elegant. Your visitors will notice and immediately associate the taste with the professionalism of your law firm.
What atmosphere is your lighting creating?
It’s amazing how we as individuals get used get to the lighting of our office. After a few weeks working somewhere, we may start to ignore how overwhelmingly bright or uniquely dark certain parts of our office are. While these features might now be normal for you, they might send an immediate red flag to your potential client.
Combining natural and artificial lighting is the best option for crafting a dynamic law office. By utilizing direct and indirect lighting, strategically placing bulbs and lamps will provide a soothing, liberated atmosphere for your guests. In addition to sunlight, environment-friendly LED lights are the best choice for cost-effective lighting that doesn’t sacrifice quality.
Who does your desk say you are?
Believe it or not, your desk is talking about you. In fact, it talks to every single person who walks into your room. It tells a full story about who you are, who you think you are, and how you treat other people.
But guess what? Your desk isn’t the only one gossiping about you. Every piece of furniture throughout your entire office is speaking.
When a client sits in an uncomfortable chair, they hear: “You aren’t a priority.”
When your client sees an askew bookcase, a voice whispers: “You’re risking a lot.”
Furniture is tells a story all the time to anyone who is willing to listen. In well-designed offices, the story is about a competent firm who cares about clients and fights for justice. In poorly-designed offices, the tale is one of risk and uncertainty.
Sometimes it is hard to know exactly what story the furniture is telling. Likewise, it can be hard to design the right kind of lobby and coordinate the proper kind of lighting. This is why law firms often turn to design experts who have a proven track record for defining and delivering functional, elegant workspaces that both streamline efficiency and reduce overhead.
If you are concerned that your office is losing you clients, do not waste any more time. Contact a respected design solutions provider today!
For more information, contact Infinity Group via 860-726-9384 or marketing@infinitygroupus.com
