| p>Being a lifelong student, I am regularly attending | | | | skirt, long hair and big dangly earrings? |
| seminars etc. to become the best I can be in all areas | | | | Did she look like a competent and professional |
| of my life. | | | | person? |
| In the past year I have undertaken an Image and | | | | What first impression would she create? |
| Brand Management Program with Image Group | | | | How about the manager who wears a cardigan, light |
| International and the knowledge I have gained and | | | | grey suit and brown shoes. He also has a moustache. |
| applied has affected so many areas of my life and | | | | Would you feel confident using his services? Does he |
| my business. | | | | appear to be 'with it'? Would you think his organisation |
| Being a 'holistic' program it has encompassed topics | | | | is up with the times? |
| like branding, colour psychology, personal image, inner | | | | And the personal assistant with the low cut top and |
| image, communication and so much more. | | | | tight fitting pants? Is she being perceived as a |
| In this article I'm going to focus on personal image and | | | | competent person and someone you'd take seriously? |
| how it affects your results. | | | | She may suit the image of a trendy organisation and |
| Do You Dress For Success? | | | | yet what opinions would you form if she worked with |
| Being an avid networker, I get to meet many people | | | | you? |
| and am constantly astounded by the way the majority | | | | We've all seen or know of people like this. Perhaps it's |
| present themselves. | | | | you and you don't even know it! |
| I met a ''coach' who raved about how successful they | | | | Image in the Workplace |
| are and what they do for their clients. This person was | | | | It's a serious business. Image Coaches are being hired |
| at least 10kgs overweight, her chest was exposed | | | | by organisations to teach their people how to present |
| and her clothes were very inappropriate for a business | | | | themselves in the best possible way. How are you |
| environment. If you were looking for a coach, would | | | | and your people perceived by your clients, prospects |
| you consider investing in her services? She obviously | | | | and suppliers? |
| had her own issues to deal with. What she said didn't | | | | Your personal image can be either positive or negative. |
| match how she looked. | | | | It can accelerate your success or hinder it. |
| The accountant who called himself a 'wealth | | | | How to Transform Your Image |
| strategist'...he had a beard, looked very unhealthy and | | | | If you seriously want to enhance the results in your life, |
| was wearing a tweed jacket....what impression did he | | | | consider seeing an image coach. In fact as part of the |
| make? None. He appeared scruffy and obviously didn't | | | | services we offer, we've included image coaching as it |
| take care of himself. How could he take care of other | | | | has been so beneficial to many of our clients. |
| people's affairs? | | | | Some of the results achieved have been astounding. |
| In contrast to these people, the mortgage broker who | | | | An accountant who was considered a 'pushover' by |
| was dressed extremely well in a tailored suit ,who | | | | her staff and business partner had a total |
| obviously took pride in her appearance and looked | | | | transformation. Because of her quiet nature she wasn't |
| confident and competent. If you were interested in | | | | taken seriously. She also dressed in a way that |
| borrowing money would you consider utilising her | | | | reinforced her lack of confidence. |
| services? Of course you would. She gave the | | | | Since having coaching around her image... looking how |
| impression that she knows what she's doing. By the | | | | to dress in a more flattering way with credibility and |
| way, whether she is competent or not you'll only find | | | | power, she is far more confident and has become |
| that out if you do business with her. However if she | | | | very assertive. It's also made her look 10 years |
| cares about herself, chances are she cares about her | | | | younger! |
| clients and provides a good service. | | | | The image coach you'll work with will show you how |
| Perception is Reality | | | | to present yourself in the best possible way. When |
| Would you prefer to do business with someone who | | | | you look good, you feel good. When you feel good |
| looks confident and credible? Whether we like it or not | | | | you attract people to you like a magnet! |
| people will pass judgement on you within a few | | | | So if you want to attract the right type of people to |
| seconds of meeting you. They will make assumptions | | | | you in business and in your personal life, then this is |
| about you personally and your organisation. | | | | definitely one area you should invest in. |
| Would I Do Business With You? | | | | If this is of interest to you, email au. |
| Think about it, what opinion would you form about a | | | | The Final Word |
| person who looked old fashioned, dressed in ill - fitting | | | | Looking successful is just as important as being |
| clothes and wore heaps of make-up? You'd probably | | | | successful. Whether we like it or not, people judge us |
| think their ideas were old fashioned to match their | | | | in a number of ways. To be credible we have to look |
| image. And that also gives an impression of the | | | | like we know what we're talking about as well as |
| organisation they represent. | | | | having the skills and abilities to deliver. |
| What about the 50 year old lady I met who runs | | | | Don't forget... You are your most important asset and |
| conferences and turned up in high-heeled shoes, short | | | | you are worth investing in. |