Are you someone we would want to do business with?
In sales we know that more often than not, people buy people. We buy off people that we like, we trust and that we think are credible and experts in their field. So to make the job of selling and winning new business easier, what you wear and how you conduct yourself goes a long way.
Have you ever thought about the impression you want to leave on people? What would you like people to think of you? Would you like to be seen as
- as an expert in your field
- as approachable and trustworthy
- as though you make a lot of money
- as creative
- as to reflect professionalism, integrity and confidence?
What we wear each and every day goes a long way in helping to create the right impression and getting people to buy from you, however, so many people get it wrong, don’t care or simply have no idea. Some of these people have tried to sell to me and have succeeded in creating a great impression over the phone only to leave bitterly disappointed once I’ve seen their appearance.
For me, how you look tells me a lot about how you conduct yourself and your business and whether I want to do business with you.
To give us an idea on what we can do to create a great impression, I’ve asked Stylist, Jeff Lack from To be Well Suited for some quick tips on how to dress and look the part.
Tips for your corporate profile - compete or stand out and get ahead of the rest
What do you look like when you walk out the door? How do you feel?
Are you buzzing with enthusiasm and confidence for the day ahead?
Does your appearance accurately represent your business?
We know the numbers on trying to change a first impression (i.e. it’s hard), so put some thought and energy into your appearance and reap the rewards. Ask yourself, what first impression are you giving today?
Here are some quick tips to help you get started:
- Clean, pressed garments and clean well maintained footwear are a must. If you are seen as untidy and unkempt this can leave the impression that you are untidy and unkempt in your business dealings.
- Go for modest well-fitting apparel with colours that are coordinated, suit you and suit the industry that you work in or are selling to.
- Casual Friday - don’t look at casual Friday as an opportunity to slothe or wear what should only be worn on weekends around the house. Take on the attitude of ‘fashion Friday’ and do a great smart casual ensemble that you could go straight from work to a nice restaurant.
- When you’re going from the Job site to a Meeting. change your work boots to smart boots that you can slip on easily. Keep a knit and/or jacket handy to throw on and instantly smarten up your look.
- If you have multiple appointments to a range of different clients, gauge which clients expect that level of professional image and plan accordingly. Keep a jacket, tie or scarf and spare shoes in the car so you can easily change between appointments.
- Don’t go overboard on the perfume and after shave. When you apply don’t keep applying it until you can smell it; everyone else is getting twice what you can smell.
- Watch the body odour and the bad breath, it’s a deal killer. Have a spare deodorant in your car or in your desk for emergencies and to freshen up during the day. If you suffer from bad breath or you smoke, brush your teeth regularly throughout the day.
- If your colleagues or your clients are a bit smelly, have greens in their teeth, threads hanging off or have toilet paper on their shoes, tell them! You would rather know, so let them know; they will squirm more than you will, trust me.
When you are looking good and feeling great you will exude confidence, positivity and success. Your colleagues and your clients will sense this, draw from it and will want to do business with you.
Wouldn’t you prefer to do business with someone like that?
