I’m sure you’ve heard the famous saying “You only have one chance to make a good first impression.” Have you asked yourself lately what first impression your shop presents to your customers?
I recently read an online article from Psychology Today that got me thinking about the topic of first impressions. It talked about the “halo effect,” defined online as the “tendency for an impression in one area to influence opinion in another area.” A second article indicated people make judgments quickly and based on little information.
Let’s dig into this topic a bit to see whether or not you’re putting your best foot forward and presenting your shop’s best first impression.
You may be saying to yourself right now, that you present a great first impression. That may be true. You may be saying all the right things to welcome your customers, but is your shop giving off bad non-verbal messages that negate its best self?
A third article about creating a fabulous first impression indicated that clothes matter. So, let me ask you “Is your shop well-groomed?” The article notes that grooming “matters in terms of how others judge you, as well as how you behave too.”
What do your shop’s office and gasp your bathroom say about your operation?
You may provide the best auto services in the area, but an inappropriate office wall post, a dirty restroom or an unpleasant smell within your shop can cause a customer to question your service quality. And, it wouldn’t be a stretch to presume that a negative first interaction clouds their discussions about your business among friends, family, and acquaintances.
Ask yourself these questions:
Is your restroom poorly lit and the size of a broom closet? Is it woefully undersupplied? Could it use a little TLC to don its best outfit? I’m not telling you it needs to be wearing a tuxedo, but it shouldn’t be wearing a tuxedo T-shirt either.
I would ask the same about your office space. Could it use some sprucing up to spotlight its best self? I have been around auto body shops practically my whole life and I am always relieved (no pun intended) when a restroom is clean. A sanitary restroom should be just as important as friendly customer service and quality care.
I encourage you to go back to your shop with fresh eyes. Ask yourself if it is making its best first impression. A quick facelift could yield dividends for your business.
