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One of my favorite stores is Barnes & Noble. Yes, it has lots of books, music and movies. But what I love most about it is that it feels like I’ve been invited to hang out. Big, comfortable chairs. Coffee and snacks. Did I mention the big, comfortable chairs?

Well, it turns out I love Barnes & Noble because the company has created a “Being Space.”

Sociologist Ray Oldenburg first conceived of the Being Space in his 1990 book “The Great Good Place” and described it as a place where people hang out. They take it easy and “commune with friends, neighbors and whoever else shows up.” A place where you can enjoy a cup of coffee with friends, people-watch, read a book or play a computer game.

Think about it. Starbucks. The Apple Store. The laundry center where you can watch a movie while you wash clothes. It seems that retailers have caught on.

But what about the service industry?

Imagine this: What if clients or business friends and vendors were invited to stop by your office? Maybe they’re between meetings or just need a place to catch their breath.

They could grab a cup of coffee, hop on your wireless high-speed Internet connection (or use the computer in your open work station), make some phone calls or grab a book off your bookshelf.

Do you think they’d take you up on your offer? Does it say something about your brand that you’ve created a space where they could? Would it alter or intensify their opinion of you and what working with you might be like?

What do you think – could you create a Being Space?

Drew McLellan is Top Dog at McLellan Marketing Group and blogs at www.drewsmarketingminute.com. He can be reached at Drew@MclellanMarketing.com. © 2009 Drew McLellan