Patricia Butler Consulting

A Sense of Place for Every Business

Patricia Butler — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 23:53:45 +0000

I want a business to have a sense of place. By that, I mean I want a business environment to make its clients feel comfortable and attached to its space. In other words, when a new client drives to a business, he or she immediately feels welcomed. Signage, parking, entryways – all clearly point the visitor to the destination. And then, once the visitor/client opens the door, he/she receives and easily interprets the non-verbal messages the office or store sends out. The visitor opens the door, sighs, and non verbally says: “I’m here. I know where to stand or go and I feel welcomed.” Do most businesses do this? Consider the effects this would have on clients. I think it is worth trying to achieve – a sense of place for every business.

Once inside…

Patricia Butler — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 19:47:45 +0000

A perceptive business owner needs to take the time to walk into his/her office, store or restaurant and discover firsthand what customers will see, feel, hear and smell. Unfortunately, an owner often finds it hard to be objective and ruthlessly critical about his/her business. But, first impressions are powerful influences and a savvy business owner must create an environment that sincerely and consistently welcomes potential and established customers. Often a good site analysis by an objective observer ends up confirming what a business owner ‘kind of’ knows, but hasn’t been able to pinpoint or address. It is the little things that count because today’s customers are choosing more deliberately and carefully.

The Outside Communicates Too!

Patricia Butler — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 19:14:30 +0000

How does a Masters in English literature blend with a Masters in Landscape Architecture? I enjoy looking for the subtext in words and places, and once found, I work hard to make sure the messages communicated by the ‘media’ are the ones the sender wants delivered. People often ask me how a ‘place’ of business can communicate. How many times have you pulled into a parking lot and be unable to locate the business you are looking for or the designated parking spaces for it or even the front of the building? What are the messages the business is sending to potential customers? Of course, in Phoenix when temperatures hover around 110, finding a parking space near the entryway or in the shade sends a welcoming signal to customers.

Maybe business owners need to look objectively at their businesses’ exterior elements and decide whether they contribute or detract from a customer’s first impression. A parking facility with shade and clearly designated signage and parking spaces sends a subtle, welcoming message to all customers.

The Power of a Story

Patricia Butler — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 19:02:02 +0000

While looking at the past discussion topics on an ethnography forum, I read a contributor’s comment on the power of the story. He then referred his readers to the website Days with My Father, a site that demonstrates how powerfully a story can connect with readers. Even if this site did not have the photographs, its words would still resonate. Once again, the lesson is that carefully chosen meaningful words connect on many levels.

Websites and beyond

Patricia Butler — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 17:40:31 +0000

When creating a website, many people overlook an important and obvious element that contributes to their businesses’ credibility – grammatical correctness! I’m amazed at the common errors I see. If a business doesn’t care enough about proofreading its website content, then how likely will it be to attend to the details for a paying customer? But, a website is only one method of communication, and as a wise marketer − Harry Beckwith − said, “All communicating is marketing!”

Communication

Patricia Butler — Sun, 31 May 2009 21:02:48 +0000

Communicating depends on a listener and a speaker. Most of the time, communicating consists of two speakers.