Jeanette M. Coon, A.I.C.I.

Tip #1 – Image – 2/05/01 

You have an image, whether you want one or not. One of the things that make up your total image is your wardrobe. Your clothes say to the world who you are, what you want, and where you’re going. To get the right image, you need to apply the same decision-making "know-how" to your wardrobe that you do to your job. You’re not just a person with bright ideas, but one who can handle the details and execute the follow-through. That’s the correct image to make you a success. 

Test Your Knowledge 

1. True or False?  We may try to avoid passing judgment too quickly, but at first meetings, we inevitably assess people by how they look. 

2. True or False? When dressing for a Casual Friday workday, always consider the day’s activities and agenda when determining whether to dress casually or more formally.  

Answers: 

1. True. Dress is a powerful business tool. Whether you are dressing up or down, you should never forget how important your wardrobe is in helping you go beyond your current level of success. You should be able to dress casually and still exude as much power, credibility, and authority as when wearing a traditional business suit. 

2. True. Consider a day’s activities and agenda when determining what to wear.  Casual wear may suggest immediately to others attending a meeting that the occasion is not important enough to bother dressing more appropriately. This is not an impression one would wish a client to have. 

If a meeting is to be held at your office on a "casual dress day," and is initiated by you, then you may want to let visitors know in advance that your company will be wearing casual clothing so that they may dress casually if they prefer. This is also true for clients or vendors visiting the office. The next best thing to do is not schedule a meeting on a casual day.

Tip #2 – Heart-To-Heart Communications  - 2/14/01 

As we approach Valentine’s Day, many of us stop what we are doing to let those we care about know how special they are.  If we only did this in business! How we communicate with others is the most important thing we do, and yet most of us are so busy, we forget to stop and say thank you.

It’s the little things that count:

ª       When we meet someone, do we hold our shoulders back, establish eye contact, smile and shake hands with a firm grasp?

ª       When we are in a group and someone is speaking to us, do we keep eye contact with the other person while he or she is talking to us, rather than looking over his or her shoulder or around the room?

ª       When we answer the telephone, do we make others feel happy it was us who took their call?

ª       When we place a call, do we make the person on the other end feel that we appreciate their help or their time?

ª       When someone goes out of their way for us, do we take a minute and write a short note just to say “thank-you?”

ª       Do we pat ourselves on the back “for a job well done”, keep a positive attitude and project that attitude to others?

Have a wonderful Valentines Day 

Tip #3 – Professional Business Attire  - 2/26/01 

Choosing your business wardrobe is not as easy as it used to be. We have so many choices that it can be a difficult task. When faced with making business wardrobe decisions, consider the image you are trying to create in your business. Do you want to appear artistic, elegant, intelligent, precise, organized, competent, cutting-edge, scholarly, technical, or successful? What message are you trying to communicate? Although there are certain things about ourselves that we cannot control, we CAN control how we portray ourselves to the world. Our wardrobe, grooming, and nonverbal communication combine to make a lasting impression on others. And this IS within our control.

Tip #4 - Making Contact - 3/6/01 

The face and the eyes are the most expressive parts of our bodies. establishing rapport between people. Solid eye contact instantly conveys a feeling of sincerity, honesty and warmth. Lack of eye contact communicates an array of negative messages:

            Dishonesty

            Deviousness

            Lack of interest

            Insecurity

            Shyness

            Boredom

It is not necessary to have a stare-down with someone, but do not worry about how many seconds of continuous eye contact you maintain. Concentrate on the person you are speaking with.  Eye contact is the single most powerful and influential means of communication we possess. Use it to show a simple and natural expression of the interest you have in others.           

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“Make Me Feel Important” 

Today I did a training for a Mercedes-Benz dealership, and one of the things we focused on was how important it is to make the other person feel important. Be the best that you can be - then forget about yourself - and make that other person feel important. You will not fail to be a success. 

Tips #5 – Make Me Feel Important  - 3/14/01 

Last week we just touched on making the other person feel important in our inter-personal relationships. This week we’re going to look at the opportunities we have on the telephone!

Every telephone call is an opportunity - an opportunity to enhance customer relations and the image of your organization.

All callers have needs that must be met on the telephone:

¶     To be recognized

¶     To feel valued

¶     To feel appreciated

¶     To feel respected

¶     To feel understood

¶     To feel comfortable about a want or need.

Customers are won and lost over the telephone. Communicating effectively on the telephone is a unique skill, and when mastered, it can make you a success!

Tips #6

You have an image, whether you want one or not. But is it the one you want?
             Ask yourself:

1. What is the image I do project?

2. What is the image I want to project?

3. How can I improve?