Welcome to October's edition of Shine Communique with tips on how to let your personal brand shine through. This month I've been busy doing publicity for the book Apprentice to Business ACE - your inside-out guide to personal branding. Just yesterday I did an interview with Vogue
Although the interview was about our how we develop our own personal brand, it got me thinking about the next part of the process and how we present ourselves from an outward appearance point of view. So this month's article looks at the topic of Dress for Success. Is it irrelevant in today's business world? Send me an email if you'd like to comment.
Keep shining!
Dress for Success
Is that title irrelevant in today's business world? How much importance do we place on dressing up for work? Well I think in some instances not enough.
What message does your image send? Do you feel confident in the way you present visually through what you wear? It seems that there is still a lot of confusion in the work place about how we should dress. I read a posting recently on small business website Flying Solo which detailed one guys dilemma about what to wear to a client interview and possible photo shoot. To wear a tie or not to? Well the reaction from the comments posted was varied, from "I wear a funny bowtie to break the ice" to "my best suit" to "who cares?"
Well here's what I think and I'd love to know what you think. Send me an email with your comments.
How well do you understand the image you put across? Image is created by a lot of different ingredients acting together. Physical appearance, dress, voice, manner, the views you express or the fact you don't express any and the way you react to the people around you. These impressions are made instantly. Images are so powerful because however little you may like it they do say something true about your personality. It's no accident that you dress, talk and behave the way you do.
So what is your visual appearance like? Do you grab the first thing you see in the morning or put some thought into what is the most appropriate outfit for that day? Having an extensive wardrobe of all the latest fashions isn't really necessary. Establishing your own image and a strong sense of individual personality and style is the key. You may only need a few quality, signature pieces that reflect your individual style and that you can mix and match. You don't have to look different every day you just need to look good and look professional.
Lets look at the scenario of work from home.
Get up and get dressed! Ditch the pj's and trackie daks. Put on something smart and comfortable. I've often read that it helps to have a separate work place in your home, a dedicated office phone line, well it's the same with your personal brand. To be making calls, sending emails and acting in a professional way to run your business, means dressing in a professional way too. Now I don't mean you need to wear a tie or a corporate outfit but choose clothes that make you feel like you're working. You must look smart not only in the eyes of the people you're around but your own as well.
Going out to meet a client? Dress appropriately for the occasion. Do your research. You wouldn't go to a client meeting without knowing something about the company. Find out how the boss dresses that's a start or the code of dress in that organisation and take it up a notch. After all you're there to win the client's business and that won't happen if you dress inappropriately or look like a slob. Think about what they're looking for.
If you're in finance, law or other professional services they want you to look like a credible, successful business person. You might be in IT or a creative service. Your potential client wouldn't expect to see you in a 3 piece suit. However does that mean you need to wear jeans and scruffy sneakers? Think about it plan it out. You are part of the package that you're presenting to the client. Dress for the job you want, not the job you have. Balance your individual style with clothing that will appeal to those you are trying to impress. People shouldn't judge us by our outward appearances, but of course they do.
I know a number of professional speakers, it's the industry I'm in. Let me share an example of two men, both $10,000 speakers. One works mostly with creatives yet has invested time and money into developing his image, finding the right cut to suit his body shape, wearing flattering colours, and choosing smart casual outfits. He looks like a $10,000 speaker. Another with a great reputation for the work he does with leading entrepreneurs still chooses to wear the tried (or maybe tired) and trusted jeans and black jacket. Mmmmm.
What do you think? Send me an email and I'll incorporate some comments when I continue this article next month and address casual days or the casual workplace environment, plus the corporate office.
Shine Seminars
As spring is in the air now might be a good time to take a close look at your own brand. Does it need a bit of polish or reinvention? What image are you projecting? I'm currently taking bookings for one-on-one personal branding consultations. Read more about the process here.
Email me to arrange a free mini telephone consultation
For corporations is your team representing the company in the most appropriate way? Read how our in-house seminars can help your team to stand out and shine. Or contact us now to make an inquiry.
Shine Brand Champion
Kevin Roberts CEO of Saatchi and Saatchi has a lot to say about branding with his books Lovemarks and The Lovemarks Effect. Although his perspective is from a product point of view the same principles apply to your own personal brand. Whether you are an employee or the boss you are still the public face of the organisation. As I am often in
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Shine Communications Consultancy
T: 1300 855 102