Receptionists are quite often the first person that customers, candidates or clients interact with when making contact with your organisation, so they are essentially the face and voice of your company and for this reason they play an extremely important role in the representation of your organisation. The influence of receptionists in general is crucial in reflecting the culture of the company, hence this article will give insights on tips and tricks that will benefit the company at large. guest column:Emmanuel Zvada The receptionist is the first person visitors meet at your office. Being so, receptionists have a strong influence on a visitor’s perception. If the receptionists are irritable, this may prompt the visitor to retaliate. On the other hand, if the receptionist’s grammar is faulty, people may suspect that the quality of the company’s products and services are probably defective, too. The same conclusion may be drawn if her attire and grooming is shabby. Front office people can either give good or bad image of the company, hence organisations should make sure they invest much in them. Most receptionists need additional training in certain areas and these will be discussed below. They must be great communicators and listeners The receptionist’s oral communication skills should be excellent. If your receptionist cannot communicate properly, there is always a chance for improvement as long as the person is determined. Communication skills are the best asset that a receptionist can have. They communicate with clients face-to-face and virtually. If you are a receptionist you should have the ability to speak well and convey information clearly. Active listening and great customer service skills are also a must. A talented receptionist can connect callers and visitors with the right employees, as well as handle basic customer service problems and requests adeptly. Properly groomed with pleasing personality Since the receptionist is the first person to greet visitors as they come through the door, she should be well groomed and wear standard business attire. A pleasing personality is more a combination of being friendly, helpful, approachable, cheerful, and other pleasing traits that make talking to the person a pleasant experience. Note that a pleasing personality does not mean a pretty face, although beauty adds to it. Any business benefits from a friendly smile and pleasant personality that greets its customers. A receptionist is such an employee. A visitor walking into the office is often received by the receptionist, hence he or she should be a welcoming and pleasant personality. Have top-notch organisational skills Receptionists are the people that represent the face of the company. Aside from taking calls and directing visitors, they often deal with clients, organise events and set up meetings. A receptionist often coordinates a variety of supportive services for the entire office, which might include overseeing or managing clerical or administrative staff, co-ordinating special events, managing travel arran