Designing Your Agency for Success

Whether you’re just opening your We Insure agency or have been in business for years, consider the design of your office — because it can have a tremendous impact not only on the quality of your employees’ work life — but on the success of your business too. Here are some considerations as you design and furnish your space.

Focus on fundamentals. Your agency should always look clean, organized, professional and on brand. You may have a creative personality, but this is probably not the place to indulge a passion for whimsical or experimental décor. Insurance is a business built on trust and credibility, and that’s exactly the feeling your customers should get when they walk through the door. On the other hand, this also means you shouldn’t feel pressured to have a space worthy of Architectural Digest either.

Consider practicality. The last thing you want customers to see are stained carpets, worn finishes and dingy upholstery. Selecting commercial-grade fabrics and finishes with good stain and wear resistance can go a long way toward keeping your office looking clean and neat. 

Support your branding. You don’t need the We Insure logo emblazoned on every visible surface in your office, but integrating your brand colors into the fabrics, floor coverings and artwork helps present a professional, pulled-together look. Don’t introduce a cacophony of clashing colors that can compete with or obscure your valuable brand identity. We Insure offers packages that can help you incorporate the brand into your office quickly and tastefully. 

Provide privacy for consultations. As you well know, discussions about insurance needs can wander into sensitive areas, and the last thing you want is for your customers to feel exposed or uncomfortable during a consultation. Design your floor plan to allow sufficient privacy to accommodate such conversations. 

Light it up. Good lighting, supplemented by natural sunlight, is ideal. Go for a light and bright feeling, but avoid creating a harshly overlit space. The goal is to create a warm and welcoming environment with enough task lighting for reading and other work.

Remember that details matter. Just like with an insurance policy, it’s the little things in design that sometimes make all the difference. That means no dead plants and no clutter that could make your agency operations appear disorganized. Also, consider instituting a policy on the amount and type of personal items permitted to be displayed on desks. But you probably don’t want to be overly restrictive, as personal touches can also become conversation starters between your team members and customers that create a point of connection. 

Bring in a pro. There are many benefits to hiring an interior designer to help you make decorating decisions. Not only can a commercial interior designer guide you on any selections that must comply with local codes, but they can also assist with selecting low-maintenance fabrics, flooring and finishes — as well as help you create an overall pleasing look that supports your branding and fits in with the community you operate in.

By creating a welcoming and professional space for your employees and customers, you’re laying the foundation for your agency’s success. Be sure to give design decisions their due as you embark on your entrepreneurial journey.