Understanding what your boardroom says about your business

The boardroom is a place where business deals are won or lost, important ideas are discussed and client pitches are made. As one of the most important areas in your office, how you utilise this space can be extremely telling. The way you choose to design your meeting room can have a profound impact on how potential clients, customers and employees view your business as a whole. Everything from your choice of table to the décor scheme can speak volumes about your values, accomplishments, ambitions and company culture. Ever wondered what your boardroom says about your business? Read on to find out more.   Does it reflect your brand image?   The interior of your boardroom can play an important role in promoting your corporate brand. If the décor is generic, scruffy or inconsistent, you run the risk of sending out the wrong message and damaging your reputation. Remember, your boardroom may be where clients and customers begin to form their first impressions of your company, so it’s important that this space clearly defines who you are as a business. Whether you’re delivering a presentation to a prospective client or conducting an interview with a potential employee, your surroundings can help to set the tone and reinforce your message.   To create a solid image that people will instantly recognise as your brand, the interior should reflect your company’s persona. For example, if you’re a high-tech, forward-thinking firm, your boardroom might include sleek tables and modern chairs, and be packed full of creative design elements to emphasise your status as an ultra-modern innovator. On the other hand, if you’re a more traditional firm, classic wooden tables, leather chairs and a traditional décor scheme might be more fitting. Not only can having an on-brand interior help to communicate your company’s story to clients and visitors, but it can also instill a sense of unity among employees and make them feel more engaged with their roles. In turn, this can improve productivity, collaboration and performance.   Are you showing off your success?   No matter how successful your business is, if your boardroom does not show off your accomplishments, you could be missing the mark. To put this room to its best possible use, everything within it should exude a sense of success and professionalism. After all, a boardroom that looks drab, has poor quality office furniture and worn out equipment is bound to reflect badly on your business and it could give the impression that you are careless and unprofessional in your endeavours.   This is why it’s crucial to make sure the fittings and furnishings are up to scratch, as they will likely be the first things that people notice as they walk through the door. Meeting spaces also offer the ideal opportunity to display awards, certificates and achievements and demonstrate to visitors and employees what gives you an edge over your competitors. If you have a wealth of experience and expertise, make sure it is clearly visible. If you’ve won numerous awards, let it be known. Whether it’s a trophy cabinet, framed certificates or displayed testimonials from your most prestigious clients, showing off your accomplishments is a great way to help you win business and instill pride in your staff.   What does it say about your work ethic?   The layout and design of your boardroom can say a lot about your company’s attitudes towards work. For example, a creative business that has a fun, casual approach to business may choose to break away from the traditional set up and incorporate more playful designs and vibrant colour schemes to create a high energy vibe. Alternatively, if you want to emphasise your expertise and be viewed as a respected authority in your industry, your interior design may need to exude a more formal, conventional look.   Even your choice of table and chairs can be representative of how your firm likes to do business. For example, round meeting tables with matching chairs can help to create a relaxed environment and promote a sense of equality and collaboration. A traditional, rectangular boardroom table creates a more formal structure where there is a clear head of the meeting. Modular or portable furniture, on other other hand, can show that your company has a flexible approach to work. When designing this room and choosing your boardroom furniture and fittings, it’s important to think carefully about how your company operates to help you establish the right tone for the space.   Do you have good attention to detail?   It’s all well and good having an on-brand design, high-quality furniture and framed awards on display, but sometimes it’s the less obvious touches that can make all the difference. Unfortunately, many companies fall flat when it comes to the finer details, and in turn this can prove to be a costly oversight when it comes to losing out on valuable custom. If you want to create a meeting space that isn’t simply style over substance, it’s crucial to have all the amenities and facilities in place.   Remember, boardrooms are multi-functional spaces, so it’s important that they are well equipped to accommodate a variety of activities. For example, if you regularly use your boardroom for presentations, it’s a good idea to have a computer, projector and other visual aids readily available. If your budget can’t quite stretch to state of the art equipment, simple touches like a water dispenser, complimentary snacks and branded stationery will show staff and visitors that you have taken their needs into consideration and reflect positively on your company as a whole. Being properly equipped demonstrates to others that you are well prepared and have excellent attention to detail.   The way you decorate your boardroom can say a lot about your company’s achievements, goals and work ethic, so it’s important that you get the design spot on. If you’re looking for inspiration on how to create the perfect meeting space for your business, why not browse the collection of boardroom furniture available on our website? You shouldn’t struggle to find something to suit your specific needs and budget.