Monday, August 2, 2010

Dressing For Success In Today’s Business Environment

Several years ago the latest buzz in the business world was “Dress for success.”  It stressed that part of being successful was looking successful, talking successful, acting successful and basically emulating success in all aspect of your life and actions.

This all revolves around how others perceive you and react to you. The old expression “you only have one chance to make a first impression” is very true. Whether we want to admit it or not we judge people by their appearance. A successful person looks successful and we use this impression as bases for our decisions.

Have you every looked at kids walking down the street with their pants dragging on the ground and trying to hold them up with one hand. I have often thought how ridicules they look. This is my perception of them and this is the perception that will determine how I interact with them. Right or wrong my opinion of them and there abilities is based upon this impression. In most cases this is the only impression I will every have of them so any future interaction will be limited.

Then I look at the way some “professionals” look, dress, and talk. I am amazed at the lack of professionalism in appearance when they come to the office; go out into public and worst of all when they met with clients. Whether we like it or not we are always on display and need to act accordingly.

I look at what they post about themselves on social media and other public outlets. Social media is becoming one of the top sources of initial business contacts which includes real estate, service providers at all levels and other contacts. When I think about it I have to wonder what kind of image are they trying to put across?

When you are thinking about buying or selling what may be the largest single investment of your life do you want some party animal handling your business or do you want a professional working with for you.

Something to think about.

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