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What really amazes me, with all the personal and professional development seminars people attend, from executives in corporate world, business owners and employees alike, very little investment has been made into the way they look ... personal image.

Perception is Reality

I'm no image consultant, however I have been to a couple of different ones to try and improve my appearance. Not from a vanity perspective, but to look as good as possible.

Wouldn't you prefer to do business with someone who looks confident and credible? Whether we like it or not people will pass judgement on you within a few seconds of meeting you. They will make assumptions about you personally and your organisation.

Would I Do Business With You?

Think about it, what opinion would you form about a person who looked old fashioned, dressed in ill - fitting clothes and wore heaps of make-up? You'd probably think their ideas were old fashioned to match their image. And that also gives an impression of the organisation they represent.

What about the 50 year old lady I met who runs conferences and turned up in high-heeled shoes, short skirt, long hair and big dangly earrings?

Did she look like a competent and professional person? What first impression would she create?

How about the manager who wears a cardigan, light grey suit and brown shoes. He also has a beard. Would you feel confident using his services? Does he appear to be 'with it'? Would you think his organisation is up with the times?

And the personal assistant with the low cut top and tight fitting pants? Is she being perceived as a competent person and someone you'd take seriously? She may suit the image of a trendy organisation and yet what opinions would you form if she worked with you?

We've all seen or know of people like this. Perhaps it's you and you don't even know it!

Image in the Workplace

It's a serious business. Image Consultants are being hired by organisations to teach their people how to present themselves in the best possible way. How are you and your people perceived by your clients, prospects and suppliers?

Your personal image can be either positive or negative. It can accelerate your success or hinder it.

The Final Word

Looking successful is just as important as being successful. Whether we like it or not, people judge us in a number of ways. To be credible we have to look like we know what we're talking about as well as having the skills and abilities to deliver.