​FIRST IMPRESSIONS MAKE A DIFFERENCE

​By Moe Lastfogel
Director of Sales and Marketing for The Retail Observer

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Moe Lastfogel

What’s on your desk? First impressions make a difference. What does a customer see when they step into your of ce, cubicle, or workspace? Do they see a cluttered mess or an organized work area? Like the store you work in, organization and cleanliness in your work area are key to that  rst impression. What people see in a salespersons desk is what they see in that person.

Who would you rather have work on your car — the mechanic with greasy tools and rags piled on his bench or ones whose tools are organized in an orderly fashion? Maybe the messy guy knows his job and is a great mechanic, but that’s not the point. How he treats his tools tells you how he will treat your car. That’s the first impression, and that’s the most important.

What’s on your desk that you can do away with? What can you do to be more organized and give a better look to your work environment? I understand you have quotes, delivery orders, returns, and other paper trails to follow-up, I’ve been there too. Are pens, paperclips, and notes strewn everywhere? Get organized but have fun with it. Conversation starters are a great way to get to relax your clients. Instead of a store-bought pen holder, file rack, or desk organizer, find some things you can use on your desk to give your client a little background on you.

Maybe a coffee cup with your favorite saying, a family picture, or a place you have been for your pens. A golf ball or baseball-themed container if you’re into sports to hold rubber bands and paperclips. The options are endless.

I’m not touting to be the Martha Stewart of desk top design, but some personal touches, some organization, and a clean work space can give you an upper hand in winning over your clients’ trust and respect.

Happy Retailing,
Moe Lastfogel
​moe@retailobserver.com

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