Picture this: a guest steps into your office for an important meeting. Instead of the archaic sign-in register or a receptionist on a phone call who asks them to wait, they are greeted by a digital system that notifies you instantly of their arrival and directs them to the meeting room. This is the efficiency […]
Picture this: a guest steps into your office for an important meeting. Instead of the archaic sign-in register or a receptionist on a phone call who asks them to wait, they are greeted by a digital system that notifies you instantly of their arrival and directs them to the meeting room. This is the efficiency you can expect from a modern workplace guest management system.
First impressions hold enormous weight, how guests are welcomed and managed can forge crucial relationships, boost work efficiency, and enhance your brand image. Guest management has become an essential cornerstone of any modern coworking space.
Read on to learn more about what guest management at the workplace entails and how it can transform our interactions with our guests and visitors in a professional setting.
Guest management at the workplace involves managing and enhancing every aspect of a guest’s experience within a workplace. Instead of the usual sign-in register, today’s guest management approach is to create a seamless, secure, and positive experience for every guest who enters your workplace.
Guest management involves everything from pre-arrival communication and check-in protocols to workplace navigation, host notification, and check-out protocols. An effective guest management system will make guests feel welcome, informed, and valued throughout their visit while maintaining workplace safety and security.
A guest management system is not just about creating a first impression but is also critical to the safety of your workplace. Your assets and sensitive information stay protected when accurate records of entry and exits are maintained. This is also helpful in an emergency evacuation situation as a robust guest management system can quickly account for all guests on-site.
As workplaces strive to improve their guest experiences, they face some common challenges.
Workplace security and guest convenience often work against each other. A guest policy that is too stringent invariably leads to inconvenience, while a policy that is too lax creates security issues, especially if you’re working with sensitive information. The solution lies in making a guest management strategy that balances these two constraints.
A one-size-fits-all guest management strategy will simply not work, as different guests require different management processes. This is especially true for coworking spaces where various professionals work under the same roof. The challenge here lies in creating a guest management system that is flexible enough to cater to everyone’s needs while maintaining efficiency and consistency.
While you can adequately prepare for planned guest visits, unplanned arrivals can throw a spanner into the best guest management and security systems. An adaptable guest management system is required that does not compromise efficiency and security when dealing with unplanned guests of different types.
Modern workplaces should consider digital solutions for guest management. These can include online pre-registration forms, digital check-in kiosks, and guest mobile apps. These solutions will lead to streamlined check-in/check-out and can reduce wait times, creating a positive first impression.
A high level of personalisation leads to higher guest satisfaction. Some tips to successfully personalise the guest experience in your workplace are:
Previous guest records can help you gain valuable insights into the efficiency of your guest management strategy, allowing for continuous improvement. Some critical patterns to look out for include peak guest visiting times, repeat visits, and average check-in times. This data can help you plan out staff scheduling, enhance security protocols, and refine the guest experience.
Your guest management system must have a provision for feedback via a digital survey on the spot, or through follow-up emails. This feedback is crucial to identify areas of improvement in your system.
Even with the most innovative digital tools and solutions, the importance of a well-trained front desk staff and security team cannot be overstated. Ensure that all receptionists and security staff interacting with guests are well-versed in customer service principles and your guest management protocols.
For freelancers and startups operating from coworking spaces, it’s not practical to invest in a personal guest management system. However, it’s crucial for your guests and clients to have a smooth experience when visiting your office space.
At Garden Office Bermondsey, we understand the importance of efficient guest management for coworking spaces. Our fully furnished, customisable private offices and meeting rooms in the heart of London come equipped with high-speed Wi-Fi and other essential amenities, including complete guest management support. To know more, visit Garden Office Bermondsey today!
