On far too many campuses and in far too many healthcare settings, finding one’s way around is difficult at best and downright distressing at worst.
Whole buildings, floors, or offices may not be clearly marked.
Arrows may be misleading or make little sense to the walker.
Maps may not be updated or may not show things to scale.
The people who are on the grounds everyday – the employees, the students, the participants, the regular volunteers, etc. – they “just know” where everything is (or they know who to ask to find someplace) and so, signage can be an invisible problem.
But, let a new patient try to find her way. Let a prospective student and their family figure out where to park. Let a first-time volunteer try to show and support a cause he cares about.
Far too often, signage is viewed as a physical plant concern, an operational issue.
But, I often remind clients that signage may be part of your institution’s first “in real life” introduction to someone – a friend, a volunteer, a potential donor.
And, don’t we want to make their first experience with us as easy, as frictionless, as welcoming as we can?
The next time you arrive on your campus, or at your healthcare facility, come onto the grounds with the eyes of a first-time visitor.
Can you easily find your way to become more engaged?
If that isn’t an advancement question at its heart, I don’t know what is.
