We all spend roughly a third of our day – if not more! – in our workplaces. We need them to be practical, organized places conducive to a productive day. But what about personal, welcoming, or even attractive?
In the future, the role and value of client experiences will count for everything in hearing care. In order to prepare for the future, we need to be more than client-centered, we need to client-driven.
As an audiologist, you welcome people into your workspace all day, every day. What do your office and website say about you? Does your involvement with the hearing loss community end once you walk out the doors at the end of the day, or would clients (and potential clients) know where to find you through awareness and outreach work?
One of the key areas in which we can express our dedication to people with hearing loss and begin to create trust is the physical environment where we offer our services. The physical surroundings are opportunities to welcome your clients and the families and engage with them before they even meet you. Clients need to feel comfortable, welcomed, appreciated, and that their needs are acknowledge through the feel and organization of your workspace.
Just as we want our methods in a session to be personalized, we should strive for the same user-friendly approach in our physical, virtual, and community workspaces. Just as a person-centered approach puts clients at ease to talk about what their real concerns are, a warm, welcoming environment can help set the same tone before the appointment even begins.
No matter what space you’re working in, make sure it has a personal touch.
