The success of your Chiropractic or Holistic Healthcare practice is directly related to the quality of your space. The environment you create is one of the very first things your patients will see. They see that before they even meet you or assess your skills.
Before a patient even meets you, or assess your skills as a doctor, they will be judging you by something else: your environment. The success of your practice is directly related to the quality of your space. The lobby is the first impression of the environment you have created.
There is no magic formula for developing an ideal lobby space. Sure you can spend a ton of money on fancy chairs, or adjust the lighting “just so” but there are a few important things that you may not have thought of.
Build an efficient and effective floor plan and flow
Form follows function. Your floor plan affects the way you and your staff function in a space. The most important element of your space is efficiency and ease of use. It doesn’t matter how beautiful your cushioned chairs and sofas in the lobby are, if they impede movement or make the room feel crowded.
Click here to download 15 FREE Floor Plans that we have created for doctors like you.
Your space conveys a message of your practice and represents your image
Before deciding on the environment you want to portray, consider what services your practice will offer. Who is your target patient? Are your clients looking for a peaceful, zen atmosphere or a more clinical approach? Will you be selling products? Perhaps you’ll want an area to display them, connecting your company with exclusivity and style. Understanding your end goals will help you determine what culture you want to create and which then how to appeal to that audience.
View our portfolio to get ideas for the look of the space you will create.
Creating a culture affects the behavior and feelings of your client
Your chiropractic office represents you, so think of how you want your patients to perceive you. Do you want to appear prosperous? High-end? Warm, caring, and gentle? Or expert and clinical? Also, consider how your space impacts client behavior. If you plan to have a high-volume practice, for example, you may not want to give your patients “hang out for a while” comfort because you could end up with a crowded lobby.
Your space will speak volumes before your patient even meets you personally and can impact the tone of their entire experience. Before you start considering your culture, contemplate the history of your patients and what they will expect. Consider your own theory of chiropractic wellness delivery and how you want to express that in your culture.
To illustrate the concept of creating a culture, let’s explore two contrasting mega corporations: Starbucks and Walmart.
Starbucks
Starbucks created a cultural phenomenon. Unlike fast food restaurants, which are designed for dozens of customers to come, spend a few bucks, and leave quickly, Starbucks changed the mold. They built small, cozy areas where people could come, spend only five or six bucks a person, and stay for hours.
Starbucks created an environment that people wanted to hang out in. Everything about their culture says: Linger. Congregate. Read, write, and relax with friends. I still meet with doctors every day who say, “I want my environment to feel like a Starbucks. I want it to feel comfortable, relaxed. I want people feel invited to just hang out.”
Each Starbucks makes different use of their space. They’re not all alike, but they do create the same culture. Culture isn’t about being cookie-cutter. It’s about creating the energy you want for your business.
Walmart
Not all cultures are the same, and very different environments still each serve a specific purpose. What do you think of when you walk into a Walmart? Everything feels inexpensive, not luxurious, and it certainly doesn’t give off the “Stay and hang out” vibe.
When you walk into a Walmart, do you think about what you wear or how you look? While people may feel out of place in a T-shirt and jeans at an extravagant restaurant, one appeal of Walmart culture is the acceptability of dressing down. Walmart is appealing to a culture that matches what they’re trying to do. Knowing this, it’s important to recognize your demographic and the culture you want to set up.
How CrossFields Can Help
There are a lot of competitors out there. How are you going to differentiate yourself? Schedule your Complimentary Consultation to learn how we can bring your ideal environment and vision to life!
