The purpose of a reception zone is clear enough, and the focus is on providing a welcoming environment as people arrive in the practice. But the reception area also provides opportunities to market the practice. Consider the following:

• A staff board, with photographs. Clients like to know who they are dealing with. Include qualifications. A nice touch is to add a sentence about individual staff members' special pet-related interests. You are 'selling' your people, and that's no less important than selling products and services.
   
• Selected 'spontaneous purchase' products. Supermarkets put great thought into which products they display as you wait in the queue. Often little things that you didn't intend to buy, and do so more 'on a whim'. If you have room, the reception zone is the ideal place to display such items.
   
• Freebie dog treats. Most dogs walking past our practice actually strain on the leash to come in! That's because they get goodies out of a jar at our reception desk. We all know that too many treats are contraindicated, but if you can make the dog want to come in, it's beneficial for everyone.
   
• Freebie cat treats. Don't neglect cats: we use small grip seal bags to make presents of catnip leaves and dried fish for the client to take home. Our sales of catnip and dried fish have soared!
   
• A good supply of 'bribes' is also useful to get a wriggly dog to sit still on the scales. Clients will often want to know what their pet likes so much, and whether they can buy a supply to take home.
   
• Display boards to highlight important, and changing announcements: new stock and promotions, new services, 'Lost and Found', 'Homes Required', pet sitter details.
   
• Weighing scales: when those overfed animals come into the practice, don't wait ... get them straight on the scales!
   
• A "Dog Park". This is a glorified name for a robust hook, mounted near the reception desk: you know how hard it is to write a cheque and hold onto a dog lead whilst your 6 stone Rottweiler is investigating Mrs. Jones' Persian cats!