If you ask someone to name the most important person in their business they’d likely name the CEO, a manager or the top sales representative. But the most crucial person may actually be the person you wouldn’t expect: your receptionist!
When clients or visitors enter your business for the first time, the person to greet them is typically not the CEO or sales manager. It is the receptionist. This is the person who creates the first impression that a client or visitor has of your business and it’s essential to choose the right receptionist for your company’s image.
While many people view the role of the receptionist as minor, this couldn’t be farther from the truth! The role of the receptionist is vital to the smooth operation of any office. Duties often include: acting as an ambassador by welcoming people to your business, screening phone calls, and directing client traffic throughout the work day. Organizational skills are an intrinsic part of the receptionist’s job, as is diplomacy, proper etiquette, and good judgment. Good receptionists will create a welcoming atmosphere for your clients and visitors; they help to keep the staff organized; and they serve as an information center for clients, visitors, and employees.
A company’s CEO may set the tone for corporate culture and brand, but it’s the staff that reinforces it with the clients. Effective company owners know that their customers’ experiences start with the person who answers the phone and greets people at the door. The receptionist!
Some have suggested there is a trend towards the removal of the receptionist position altogether. This trend – often seen within start-ups or technology companies –is often a result of financial restraints. These companies believe a receptionist area is a poor use of real estate and/or they believe a receptionist salary can be better applied to a position they consider more important. Some of these companies are using various technologies to greet their visitors and while these endeavors can be successful in certain industries, most companies eventually realize the need for a live receptionist.
At Barrister Executive Suites, we offer highly trained and professional receptionists and they are included as a part of our Full Time Office and Virtual Office programs. Our hiring process for receptionists is very selective; the average length of time that a receptionist has been with us is 5 years!
Learn more about these Barrister Office Programs and discover the right space for you….at the right price…and with the right receptionist!
