Personal Grooming Talk For Executives And Sales Professionals
I’m delighted to be here today to share personal grooming tips with a room filled with executives and sales professionals.
Your image is much more than just the portrait of how others perceive you. It is both a revelation and reflection of your character and style. In today’s world, we buy brands because we associate a particular brand with certain values. For example, there are many brands of shoes out there. But some of us go for one particular brand over others. Price is not always the considering factor. We also take into account the design, the feelings associated when you wear Brand X, past experiences with that brand; and other peoples’ feedback regarding that brand.
Thus, if you want to create brand-share in the minds of others, it really starts with having a good image to impress. After all, first impressions count.
As a certified image consultant, I have personally witnessed the allure that a good image attaches itself to. It is powerful. It is magnetic. And it appeals.
Here are three important tips all executives and sales professionals should bear in mind as they will help you navigate the sometimes complex social scene while networking and climbing the corporate ladder.
Tip #1: Perfect Your Poise and Presence
People judge us by our outward presentation. The clothes we wear indirectly express who we are and how much we care about how we look. Our facial expressions show whether we are having a good or bad day. Our body language reveals if we are tired or not in the mood to interact with anyone.
I always share this example with my audience. Imagine if you are at a social gathering of 100 people and you know you can only meet a handful of new people. What would you do?
Well…You have to decide whom you want to spend your time with, right?
Everytime I ask this question, members of the audience will respond that they will chat up the person who leaves you a good first impression.
In the same way, you are also one of the 100 people in the room. And like it or not, people are also making the same decision about whether to approach you.
People buy people first. People look at your face, your overall presentation, body language and other non-verbal signs to decide if you are on their get-to-know-you list.
Being presentable and having an approachable poise will increase your chances of having successful social encounters. In short, show signs that you are friendly and approachable.
Tip #2: Increase Your Likeability Factor
Many people focus on their capability and overlook their likeability. Students spend lots of time developing their ability, graduating from one school after another. Business people too often focus on their products while neglecting a vital part of business – being a likeable sales person who can sell effectively.
It will be hard to make sales even if you have a good product if people don’t like you – particularly if you are working in a service industry. When you patronize a restaurant, a hair stylist, or go shopping, you expect people to treat you nicely. One rude remark is all it takes to make you think, “I’m never going to that place again.”
No matter how good the food is or how great the hair stylist is, you will never return.
Personally, there is a two-step system you can use to help increase your likeability factor. It always works for me. Step one would be to listen attentively. Step two would be to engage your non-verbal signals.
Easily said, but honestly, less than 20% of sales professionals do that. They are only interested in closing the sale.
You will not sell anything until your listener is sold on you. And that only happens if you have built sufficient rapport.
People buy because they like you. Just take personal trainers for example. Almost any personal trainer can help you lose weight or build muscles. That is a given. But you will choose one personal trainer whom you like – either because of the way he respects his clients, or the way he looks etc.
This is very crucial in service-related industries like insurance and property.
Tip #3: Boost Your Character Quotient
Very often, your reputation precedes you. I discovered this when people I’ve never met before tell me they have heard of me prior to meeting. I was like wow.
Our personal reputation is of great importance. Some people say, “I do what I want, I don’t care what people think. I wear what I want and if you don’t like it that’s your problem.”
Such people are often inconsiderate and are often slow in their social skills development.
How could anyone say, “I don’t care what people think?”
Can a student go to school in a smelly uniform and possibly say, “I don’t care if people think I smell?”
Can an office executive go to work dressed in shorts and slippers saying “I don’t care what people think as long as I feel comfortable?”
We do care what people think, and so we behave appropriately and dress accordingly to the social norms.
As you can see, it is not difficult to equip yourselves with useful personal grooming tips that will take you places and help you build your brand as you carve a successful career as an executive or sales professional.