How to make your home office welcoming and safe for client meetings

by Sam Marcum, Sr. Editor, Optix Communications

Now that working from home is here to stay, perhaps you are looking at ways to improve the look of your home office for client visits—Optix Communications shares how to prepare your home office for clients while safeguarding your space.

Encourage mask-wearing

Implement a mask-wearing policy to ensure your clients are kept safe, especially if you're likely close to each other. 

Let fresh air circulate

Allow as much fresh air as possible to improve the ventilation in your home office space. If there's a sliding glass door and lots of windows around, you should leave these open so that your home office looks and feels light and airy. 

In addition to keeping all doors and windows open, use an extra fan or two within the vicinity with a well-functioning HVAC system to ensure fresh air flows through your home. Invest in a ceiling fan by hiring someone with experience. An installation costs around $250, which is a small price to pay for the improved comfort well-circulated air can provide.

Furthermore, when utilizing your HVAC system to improve airflow, you should also take care to maintain it regularly and inspect the air filters periodically to ensure that they are filtrating the air properly. Finally, install a UV light as an added safety measure to stop airborne viruses in their tracks. 

Automating processes

Consider incorporating automated software into your home office setup. For example, automating your invoice process will allow the processing of client invoices digitally to reduce the transfer of documentation. Moreover, when you choose to go paperless, you have the option of creating a customizable invoice template that you can reimagine and design to suit your brand. 

Pick your own colors, fonts, and logo, which you can create using a label maker for a personalized touch. In addition to automated invoices, you can implement other automated measures such as automated doors, direct automatic payment methods, and app technology so that clients can use their personal electronic devices to complete transactions and sign forms digitally. 

A professional-looking home office

Of course, when it comes to staging your home office, it's important that it looks as professional as possible. You'll need the right lighting, especially when hosting virtual meetings. In addition to ensuring that your lighting looks as professional as possible, it's equally important to ensure that your home office looks organized, tidy, and clutter-free.

Keep in mind that any work you have done to improve your home office may improve your home's value as well. If you do any renovations, be sure to take before and after photos. You'll also want to keep receipts and records of work done for the next time you appraise your home.

In summary, maintaining a professional, warm, and welcoming home office is important to create a favorable experience for your clients. However, it's still vital to do so safely as we adopt a new way of living ad working after the pandemic.

For help creating and refining your business's communication strategy and plans, contact Optix Communications today.