Ten seconds is all it takes to make a first impression –
whether it's your personal presentation or the first
contact a potential client or customer has with your
business through the telephone, website or other
communication collateral.
When they walk through their door – or you walk through
theirs – your image is imprinted in the first moment.
Research has proven that 67% of first impressions are
accurate. Your personal image tells the world who you are
and where you are going. Your business image says the same.
Every email, voicemail, and phone call you make creates
first impressions that build your brand.
But it's not just your logo or your business stationery
that needs to look good. How you present yourself in person
also says a lot about your brand. For many small business
people or business entrepreneurs, you are your business and
how your project yourself is vitally important to the
success of your business.
How you shake hands, make eye contact, conduct yourself in
social situations and the clothes you choose to wear
contribute to your personal brand. Your image is like the
weather. People notice when it's extremely good or
extremely bad. People shouldn't judge us by our outward
appearances but of course you know they will. First
impressions can indicate to a potential client, your sense
of style, ambition and self-confidence level.
Another measure of your success in dealing with people is
due to personality.
Your voice, way of talking, body language and the way you
develop relationships with your clients all count towards
giving you a 'manner'. Your personal manner speaks loudly
to other people. You may need to do some self-analysis on
your plus and minus personality traits before establishing
a self-satisfying public image.
Sometimes things like aggravating speech habits, lack of
good manners, sloppy dress or grooming can be your worst
enemies.
Punctuality, your tone of voice, these are the things about
you that speak loud and clear to others. Make sure that
they're working for you.
I'm sure you've seen many examples of people who have had
too much to drink at the office party and regretted things
done or said. Perhaps not such good personal PR for career
progression.
Maybe that date who sounded so promising on the telephone
really let you down when you met and saw how badly dressed
and untidy they were.
I'm not suggesting you need to have a complete makeover and
invest a fortune in new clothes – but it is those little
things that people notice.
You've no doubt invested a lot of time, effort and money
into setting up your own business and learning many new
skills – why not invest some time and effort into yourself
– you're worth it!
* Business image – brand all letterhead, newsletters,
email messages for a professional
* Personal image – establish a strong visual image –
develop your own style and personal brand. Be aware of
grooming and professional dress sense.
* Self image – get rid of bad habits, develop
self-confidence and charm, walk tall and smile!
----------------------------------------------------
Sue Currie, the director of Shine Communications
Consultancy and author of Apprentice to Business Ace – your
inside-out guide to personal branding, is a business
educator and speaker on personal branding through image and
media. Sign up for free monthly tips on personal and
professional PR at
http://www.shinecomms.com.au/contactmanager/default.cfm
and learn more about how you can achieve recognition,
enhance your image and shine.
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