Attraction Information

Create a Climate for Success by Mastering Your Total Image - Part 2


In part 1 of this series, we discussed your Total Image and the first of several essential components - Your Hidden Image. This month, we'll continue discussion your Total Image with the second component: Your Reputation.

Your Reputation can be defined several ways - according to the American Heritage Dictionary of the English language, there are three main definitions:

1. The general estimation in which a person is held by the public.

2. The state or situation of being held in high esteem.

3. A specific characteristic or trait ascribed to a person or thing, i.e. a reputation for courtesy.

All that said, your Reputation is one of the most valuable assets to your business and personal life. You must know - and be concerned with - what others are saying about you. Not to the point of obsession, but it is important to know how you are seen in your community.

One of the fastest ways to destroy a good reputation is to become known as someone who does not follow up their words with actions. Too often in today's society, business professionals who you hold in high esteem do not earn that standing because they don't follow through on what they say they will do.

How do you treat your clients? Can you state confidently that you treat all your clients with equal respect and courtesy? When trying to establish rapport and a relationship with a potential or new client, it is essential that you listen thoroughly and completely to what they are saying as well as what they are NOT saying.

Even after you've established a rapport with a potential client, never leave them feeling brushed off or unappreciated - they are likely to dwell on the experience and as in our previous installment, not only feel badly about how they've been treated, but tell 7 others about the treatment they received.

One of the ways you can encourage trust, respect and courtesy with clients is to maintain eye contact during your conversation. Your eyes are one of your most essential and important communicators - they speak volumes without you ever saying a word.

Looking your client straight in the eye communicates confidence, honesty and interest - all qualities you'd like them to associate with you and your business. Try to take brief breaks in your eye contact so the interaction doesn't become confrontational - you also need to gauge the other person's reactions and allow them time to respond.

Your Visual Image is equally important to your success as an entrepreneur - though you may see certain clients infrequently, there are many other aspects of your Image that must be dealt with: how your promotional materials reflect your business status and expertise, and even how you answer the phone.

As a rule of thumb, consider investing one month's income (not profit, income) per year into your professional wardrobe. Knowing you look good will go a long way toward helping others to treat you with the respect due your professional status. Take some time to choose your professional wardrobe, and build in some time and dollars for inevitable alterations.

Clothing is mass-marketed to an 'average' body type, size and height that may not even exist outside the world of 'fit models' used to check garment construction. If you are like me and have a 'real' body versus one of those airbrushed creations from a fashion magazine, you'll find that most clothing won't fit perfectly off the rack. Take the time and invest in alterations that won't add a ton to the cost of your clothing, but will make a huge difference in how you LOOK in the clothing.

Every day, you can make slight and subtle changes in your look that will move you from 'everyman' or 'everywoman' into the 'stylish, professional and business-appropriate' category. Take something you've previously worn (or recently purchased) and study it in detail.

This could be a suit, shoes, undergarments or accessories - try to see them with new eyes and use new combinations to create fresh looks with little or no cash outlay. Use your accumulated knowledge to purchase a business appropriate but different look the next time you go shopping, and don't forget - there are image professionals all over the U.S., Canada and the world who stand ready to assist you in creating a Total Image that reflects your professional status.

About the Author: Dianne M. Daniels is an Image & Color Coach, Consultant and Professional Speaker, and the author/publisher of "Polish & Presence: 31 Days to a New Image". She has helped individuals refine and define their personal and professional image, along with corporations and organizations. Learn how to create your Personal Climate for Personal and Professional Success at http://www.imageandcolor.com


MORE RESOURCES:

NW Evening Mail

Fete-full attraction
NW Evening Mail, UK - 1 hour ago
There was plenty on show including performances from dancers, Jukalo the juggler and the Whitehaven Brass Band. Visitors also enjoyed home-made cakes, ...


McDermont Field House water attraction on hold
Visalia Times-Delta, CA - 12 hours ago
“We were unaware that we were classified as a ‘water amusement attraction’ with the state of California. We didn’t even know we had to be certified by OSHA ...
Lindsay wave machine may reopen soon Visalia Times-Delta
all 2 news articles


At this convention, O'Malley no longer hot young attraction
Baltimore Sun, United States - Aug 27, 2008
By David Nitkin The past couple of years have left some tarnish on one of Maryland's once-sparkling political leaders. Martin O'Malley arrived at the 2004 ...


Queensland's new 'must-see' attraction opens
The Age, Australia - 22 hours ago
Premier Anna Bligh has described a new walkway through a rainforest canopy in far north Queensland as a "must-see" tourist attraction. ...


Tough love's fatal attraction
Asia Times Online, Hong Kong - Aug 26, 2008
By Julian Delasantellis One of the most popular programs on the American A&E cable television network is called Intervention, or as I like to call it, ...


stv.tv

Beautician and a beast: Violent past of girl in 'fatal attraction ...
Edinburgh Evening News, UK - 3 hours ago
By ALAN McEWEN A GRIEVING mother has told how her son became entangled in a "fatal attraction" with a beauty therapist who was cleared of killing him during ...
Exclusive: Bottle thug taunts victim's family as she is cleared ... Glasgow Daily Record
all 8 news articles


Reserve’s growing attraction
Aberdeen Press and Journal, UK - 3 hours ago
... hardworking volunteers at the reserve who have helped us to develop the garden into a great attraction – not just for wildlife but for visitors as well. ...


Toy train attraction is on track for record
expressandstar.com, UK - 2 hours ago
Drayton Manor, which recently became home to Europe’s only Thomas Land attraction, teamed up with toymakers Tomy and Hit Entertainment to try and break the ...


Attraction more than just appearance
The Student Printz, MS - 8 hours ago
Another factor in physical attraction is BO That's right--body odor. Musk is a pleasant pheromone that biologically attracts us to one another. ...


Art is the star at family attraction
WalesOnline, United Kingdom - Aug 27, 2008
A DOUBLE display of art has come to the valley in the form of a family exhibition. Brother and sister Alison Williams, 48, and Mark Bearpark, 50, ...

Attraction - Google News

home | site map
© 2006