Investing in Professionalism at Your Small Business

More than 28 million small businesses are operating in our country right now. All of those business owners wake up in the morning with their hands already full. They face huge challenges as they attempt to compete with their peers and with massive corporations. Margins can be thin, and hours can be long. But small businesses represent the American dream. They matter, and so do their owners.

Small business owners work hard, and the savvy ones are always looking for an edge. Sometimes, that edge comes in the mind of their target customer or client. When a business is perceived as more "professional," it can punch above its weight class. It can tackle projects that it might not otherwise have been let anywhere near, and it can grow in reputation and in size. For a small business, appearing professional is key, and the ideas below can be critical.

Details matter.

What is professionalism? We can define it in broad terms such as "reliability," "attentiveness," and "dignity," but when we talk about how it looks in practice, we tend to fall back on small details. We talk about showing up on time for a meeting, the careful look of a suit and tie, a firm handshake, or the raised text on a classy business card.

Details matter. If you're going to project professionalism and competence to your clients and customers, you need to nail the little things. In the same way that a movie set would look fake without the clever little real-life details, your business will look amateurish and undersized until you achieve the tiny things that come naturally to larger corporate operations.

Business Cards, Nameplates, and More

What sorts of details are we talking about? Business cards and nameplates, for one. Your business card should be simple and classy—unless, of course, you run the sort of business in which creativity is a major selling point. In that case, you might want to go with a more unusual business card. But don't forget about your employees, either. Matching name plates and business cards could give your operation the feel of a well-oiled machine. Your company may already be extremely professional, but remember that it's important to look that way, too!

Office Design and Furniture

Your working space matters. What you do with your office layout and decor can affect productivity. It can also affect the way in which your employees, customers, clients, and partners view your business. You want everyone involved to consider your business professional and effective.

So design your space to look the part. Make sure that the furniture matches and is in good repair. Lay out things wisely, and remind employees that your space needs to be neat to stay efficient and impress clients and others.

Customized Envelopes, Folders, Binders, and More

Details matter, and details can be as small as the letters on a folder or a binder. Your company name, or your name, or the project's name—all of these things can be put down on paper inside of a binder or folder, or course, but there's something to be said for the "wow" factor of seeing them permanently inscribed on a custom folder or binder. Happily, things like custom folders aren't too pricey, so it's not hard to create this next-level bit of signature professionalism.

Sure, none of this changes the nature of your business in any fundamental way. You're good at what you do, and you don't need any help there. But by nailing the details, you can communicate its competence to others outside and inside of the organization, and that can be a very valuable thing for a small business.