These days, many small business owners work at home. It’s a smart solution to keep costs down as you establish your business. If you’re hosting a meeting with your clients, however, your home may be one of the worst places to meet. While your home may be beautiful, you need to consider alternative options. After all, choosing the right place for a business meeting is imperative in creating a great impression.
Read on as Connecticut Business Centers, a leading office space solutions provider, discusses the best and worst places to have a meeting.
Where are the Best Places for a Meeting?
- Coffee shops offer a casual environment for a meeting and delicious drinks that you and your clients can enjoy. Most cafes also have free Wi-Fi available. If you have a presentation on your laptop, take note that outlets may be in short supply, especially in shops with high traffic. For plenty of privacy, consider a large independent cafe chain or large city center coffee shops with private rooms and event spaces.
- Hotels have a wide variety of choices for meetings. For small casual meetings, you can use the lobby, the restaurant, or the cafe area of a hotel. For larger meetings, most hotels have conference rooms for a price. If you need to do last-minute printing and copying, you may find access to the hotel business center helpful.
- Many serviced offices are available to hire for a fee, which means you don’t have to be a tenant to hold a meeting or conference. You also get free Wi-Fi, refreshments and can even book catering through the provider. Also, if you are looking for business spaces outside your home, you should consider a virtual office. Instead of becoming a tenant, this allows you to use the address as well as telephone and mail-handling services of a serviced office for less than it costs.
Where Are the Worst Places for a Meeting?
- Restaurants or fast food outlets might make the meeting too casual. Not only that, but these places also tend to be noisy, making them less-than-ideal choices for holding a meeting. They may have free Wi-Fi and booths, but compared to coffee shops, these places don’t give a good impression.
- Pubs or sports bars should be an off-limit place for professional business meetings. You might think drinking builds closer relationships, but holding a meeting in these places may increase the risk of having one too many. Even if you stay businesslike, the place may be too noisy, especially if there’s a sports game playing on the television.
- Your home may seem convenient and comfortable, but inviting clients into your home office can be awkward. Not only that, but it may also make them feel pressured because they’re now a guest in your home.
If you want to have meetings in a professional business setting, you can always turn to Connecticut Business Centers. As a leading office space solutions provider in the area, we offer conference spaces that convey the right image to your clients and business associates. Our meeting rooms are available during weekday business hours and can be scheduled through our administrative staff.
To reserve space, give us a call at (203) 359-5600 or fill out our online contact form to set an appointment.