You Have 7 Seconds To Make A First Impression

A discussion about how interior design can significantly impact small businesses. It discusses how the first 7 seconds of a customer's experience through visuals, layout, lighting, colors and materials can strongly influence their impression and emotions. An optimized interior that guides customers and communicates the brand can increase customer engagement, spending and loyalty, transforming a transaction into an experience. Interior design is presented as a strategic investment rather than an extravagance that small businesses should recognize for its potential returns.

Transcript

The 7 Second Opportunity, Ep. 2

Randi Lynn Johnson 00:00

When it comes to the success of a small business, the focus is most often on innovative products, smart digital marketing and robust customer service. seldom does the spotlight fall on one of the most potent but overlooked aspects of business development. Interior design, interior design can be the silent architect of a business's growth, a strategic investment that speaks volumes about your brand converts casual visitors into loyal customers and boosts your bottom line. In an era where customer experience is king. Every element of business including the aesthetic appeal and functionality of a space can heighten or diminish the perceived value of a brand.

So you know, the adage that you never get a second chance to make a first impression. This holds particularly true in business. Yes, according to Forbes, it takes less than seven seconds to make a lasting first impression. So like you're saying the look of your business, the way someone feels, when they come in, as they're immediately making opinions, and whether they it's subconscious, or, you know, they're aware, it's saying something…

Robin Pasley  01:15

it's saying something for sure. This is one of the things that we think about, I think it was what makes interior designers different from other colleagues in our field, like architects or engineers who are definitely necessary to get these skills spaces built. But we think about how the user is engaging visually, everything they come into, so if they walk in the door, and they don't know where to go, we know there's a problem. If they walk in the door, and there's not a focal point, or, you know, something that's telling us about where we are and why we're there, and what we're gonna do next, this is all about, you know, from the very basics of life safety and wayfinding, to just branding, like, you know, who are you? Did I come to the right place, you know, kind of look it around? And if we're, if there's too much of that, then those seconds are passing by quickly, you know, and there, it's part of that impression.

Randi Lynn Johnson 02:08

Because it communicates information about who you are, before you even get a chance. That's exactly right. Yeah. And

Robin Pasley  02:16

if what they're encountering when they walk in everything from materials, to signage, and branding, to even sounds and smells, is on par with who they are, then we're going to be bringing those bills for great impressions.That's so true. Because the layout, lighting colors, materials chosen, and it all creates an emotional response and a comfort level. Oh, yes. And so you have that conducive environment encourages customers to stay longer, engage more and spend more? Oh, absolutely.

Robin Pasley  02:51

I wish I could quote the guy right now. But he has written a book and one of his data points was how the emotional connection to a space. So how a space makes you feel, was directly linked to brand loyalty. So in other words, if they walk in and they don't have a good feeling, they won't be as quick to want to come back. And yeah, repeat. Yeah, it transforms a simple transaction into an experience. Absolutely. Which I love. Well, and it's what our whole, like, everything's changed in our world, right? It's not just about price. It's not just about how fast can we get it, all of those things are way more competitive these days. It's now coming down to what is the experience? Like I mean, think about what social media has done to just going to get a sandwich, like, you know, like, you want to take pictures of the place you're in, and what does that sandwich looks like on my plate? You know, I mean, we eat with our eyes now, way more than ever, because of social media. So that translates into the environment in which we're having that sandwich. And yeah, did it make me feel like I wanted to come back. I mean, all of that can't be pinned on interiors. Like if your company has horrible customer service, well, I can't help that. But if you're doing all of your side of the equation, well, we want to come in and meet you and help your business grow.

Randi Lynn Johnson 04:15

It's time for small business owners and entrepreneurs to recognize the potential that lies within the literal walls of their operations. Interior Design isn't an extravagance reserved for big brands. It is a tangible investment that can yield immeasurable returns. In an increasingly competitive market, the merits of this strategic approach can make all the difference in not just surviving but thriving.

Robin Pasley  04:39

Pasley Commercial Interiors. Design to help your business grow.