Making an Entrance!

    When a client is able to enter a building or place of business with confidence, another step of hospitality has been accomplished. Doors can either be welcoming entrances or inhospitable barriers. 

     There are two definitions of ‘door’ that are applicable to this conversation.  The word ‘door’ can be defined as a ’swinging or sliding barrier by which an entry is closed or opened’ - identifying it as a piece of furniture or part of a structure. This is the way we usually think of a door. The second definition, ‘a means of access or participation’, speaks of opportunity.

     I particularly like this second definition, especially when thinking of the entrance into our business space as being welcoming to our clients.   A door is an invitation to participate in our business.  Suddenly this makes the door very important. 

Here are a few tips:

1.     Is the door well marked by color, style, size, an awning, lighting, and signage? In other words – is the door easy to find in order to identify your business?  A door is a focal point that tells us where we wish for people to enter.  Let’s not make it difficult to locate!

2.     If there are two or more doors, be sure that all doors are unlocked. This sounds like a no-brainer, but have you ever noticed how frequently you reach for the right hand door – only to find it locked?    So why is right door locked and the left side open for business?  Here’s my theory . . .   We are a right handed culture and most of our daily habits navigate to the right.  The ‘business’ unlocks the right door from the inside which is the left door to the client.  Again –thinking from the client’s point of view offers valuable information. A locked door gives many messages to your client including 'not open for business' and ‘you are not welcome here.’

3.     Being able to see in and see out is important for everyone concerned. It is how we first begin to navigate a space.  Doors with full length glass allow us to physically and emotionally feel safe by seeing where we are going.  We are able to note whether others are about to open the door or be in our path when entering. We can start to assess where to check in, where to wait, how busy the space is.  Each piece of information we gather before entering, helps us feel more confident and secure.

     With every step of a client’s movement to the building, into the building, and within the building, we must create spaces that offer hospitality. Let’s give thought to what makes a great entrance for our clients so theirs is a confident entrance!