First Impressions Count

In business, image and public perception are king. That’s why it’s so important that the information your business displays on it’s social media and website, has to be a) accurate and b) professionally presented. The old adage that “you never get a second chance to make a first impression” has never been truer.

Temporarily Closed

We noticed last week that someone had edited the hours of business on the HSL Facebook group and on Google. Here’s what was displayed:

Of course, we noticed it, and soon after we posted it up on social media, the Google hours were changed back to what it was before. What we do find quite shocking is that no one from Hamptons has noticed that the Facebook page has been showing the venue as “temporarily closed” for 6 days now. No doubt this will be altered back as soon as they read this piece, but the damage is done. First impressions !

Transfusion Confusion

Wonderful to see the NHS Blood and Transplant (NHS BT) service at Hamptons. It didn’t look terribly busy when we drove past, but apparently 150 people attended. We did find this post (later edited by Hamptons) to be a little odd.

A picture of an empty hall. **First impressions !**

Perhaps it would be better attended, if the parking fees were waived. When a local resident questioned this on the Hamptons FB page, the comment was quickly removed, rather than answered.

This has led to Hamptons creating a flurry of NHSBT events on Facebook, which only take you to the event page when you click it. You can book an NHSBT appointment here, but Hamptons sessions aren’t even currently listed. First impressions !

We do however commend Hamptons for boldly upgrading the post donation catering to something more Mediterranean.

Salad and chilli sauce with your plasma mate ? **First impressions.**

SLOPPY business PRACTICEs

It’s something we’ve touched on before, but when you are trying to save a business, you do really need to put in the effort, and do things properly. First impressions !

It does seem that Hamptons are rather relying on bookings from the public purse to save the business. Another kids camp is booked in for December 20th-23rd and 28th-31st from 10am-2pm (in collaboration with the Essex Cultural Diversity Project). We are confused as to why Hamptons aren’t currently promoting it. You can book a place here.

To stand any real chance of surviving 2022, Hamptons needs to up it’s game. They need regular bookings that generate supplementary income on top of the room hire fees. And that looks unlikely to happen !

It’s something that members of the Chelmsford Muslim Society should be asking the Hampton’s directors, or the worshippers will just continue to subsidise a failing business, Perhaps it is time for some changes on the mosque management committee.

Or maybe the Chelmsford Muslim Society should just give up on the “biggest mosque in Essex, and move on !

KBO