It’s time to move office space. You’re designing the space, meeting with the architect, and picking out colors. It’s exciting.
It’s critical that you keep one this one thing in mind as you plan your new space…
Your office is not for you. Your office is for your clients.
Sure, it’s nice to have a space where you can be efficient, effective, comfortable, and happy. I encourage you to be sure you meet all of your needs so you can work at the highest level.
But all of that is secondary. All of that is about you, and your office is for your clients. Get the client part right first. Make it the highest priority, and then figure out what you need to do for yourself.
When there is a need to compromise due to finances, space limitations, or other constraints, put the client first—always.
There are lots and lots of ways to design an office. You don’t have to do it like every other law firm. You can be different. You can approach the whole project in whatever way you like so long as you always put the client first.
Personally, I like the way restaurants use their space. They build a space out front for the customers. They do all their customer meetings in the dining area. They create a comfortable space for waiting in the lobby or bar. Everything in the “front of the house” is customer centric. Then you walk through the kitchen door and discover the space intended for the people working in the restaurant. It’s a very different space back there.
Disney does the same thing with its theme parks. Its amusement parks have public areas but also behind-the-scenes areas where the work gets done underground or is otherwise out of sight.
I visited two law offices last week where it was clear that the clients were an afterthought (if they even got that much thought). In both cases, the client waiting area was a hallway with chairs shoved around. It screamed out that the lawyers didn’t make the clients a top priority. Don’t let that happen.
I visited another firm where the best parking spots—those right outside the front door—were all reserved for the lawyers. Clients were left to drive round and round the block hunting for somewhere to park. Not good.
Design a great space, but make sure the clients are the center of your design. Clients, after all, are what this business is all about.
