How Do You Value Yourself? Your Business? Your Clients?
Are you wondering why your business may not be taken seriously? (like this guy in the photo) …No matter what business you are in – It is important that you show that you take your business seriously and dress accordingly.
There are so many different types of businesses it really does help with that first impression if your clients can identify with what your business is when they see you. For example if you were an accountant and turned up for an appointment wearing board shorts and a T shirt how seriously do you think the client would take your business? If you sell surf boards and turned up for a business meeting you still may dress differently to the accountant but even then board shorts are for the weekend and “time off”.
To be taken seriously and to charge for your time and services it is respectful to your clients to show up to a meeting dressing for that occasion.
As mentioned in a previous article Confidence with Style your own personal style can definitely be incorporated into your business and it is a positive if you can incorporate this into your branding. This can even be done consciously so that people identify your style with your business for all the right reasons.
Clean tidy attire and attention to detail all counts for that all important great first impression. Even if you love to dress casually and your business does not fit with wearing suits or shirt/tie or formal business attire my advice would be to consider
- branding with a colour scheme for your business that resonates with you and maybe having some garments embroidered with your logo. It does not have to feel like a work “uniform” as you could have a variety of different garments that you wear to work
- Make sure your business image is a change from what you would wear on your days off and relaxing. I am talking about really relaxing … shorts, sweatshirts, singlets, thongs.
- Think about the type of business you are in or even if you are a job candidate at a job interview – Think about the type of work you do in your business, or will be doing at the job you are applying for and dress accordingly. Make sure how you dress is congruent with this.
- Professional sports trainers and Personal Trainers will be wearing their sports attire as this IS their business. This would be appropriate dress for them.
- Think about the person you are meeting with and take this into account also.
Imagine this guy has just had a business meeting with a new client. He cant understand why he hasnt been taken as seriously as he would like to be. Can you imagine the different reaction if he dressed in a tidy shirt with (or even without) a logo, a smart pair of trousers and some good shoes other than joggers. He is good at what he does (lets say for example “a graphic artist”)- He has charged accordingly for his great work and cannot understand why he has difficulty in people seeing his value on first meeting.
Visual appearance does count. It shows respect for your clients, yourself and your business. You may be incredibly good at what you do but as I always say why make things hard for yourself? Create that all important good first impression and then the rest is providing that top business value to your clients. You really can create a great image and still keep your personal identity. We do not need to sacrifice personal style for a great business image.
Contact Moana Robinson at Beauty Glow for confidential, friendly and professional assistance and advice.