How does appearance affect your creditability?

 

Should we be judged by the way we dress?  No, but we are judged on everything from our age, our intelligence, how much money we make, etc. in the first 11 seconds.  First impressions do make a difference and are oftentimes hard to overcome.

In an article on 'What does business casual really mean,' I found the following.....

"Many highly intelligent, well-qualified, capable men and women are often disqualified or dismissed because 'they don't sell for what they're worth,'" Price told Business Insider. "They've left the 'business' out of 'business casual' and the lack of professional appearance holds them back. It's frustrating because clothing certainly does not determine one's actual competence and credibility; it does, however, influence others' perception of those qualities — and that reality impacts career opportunities."

80% of success is showing up, but how you show up also matters.  

For many years as an image consultant, I taught these concepts.  Even when I left my corporate job, I gave presentations on 'Dressing for success when interviewing for a job placement firm.  Many of the people I spoke with assumed they should dress according to the job for which they were applying.  Not necessary.  I advised to always dress a step above the job you were applying for.  For instance, if applying for a position where business casual is appropriate, an open-collared shirt with a sport coat would be more appropriate.  

Being in sales and meeting with potential clients means you are constantly interviewing.  Appearance does come into the equation.  Whether networking or on scheduled appointments.

Here are a couple of podcasts that further define the importance of dress and appearance.

In Podcast #649, Dr. Misner discusses the 12x12x12 rule.  In this article, Dr. Misner states....

You want to come across as a professional, whether you’re going to a chamber of commerce function or a big event. You want to come across as a professional, generally speaking. I try to dress at or above my audience level. But not all professions have to do that. If you’re a car mechanic, you don’t have to dress, you know, in a suit and tie. But you do want to come across, you know – khakis and a nice shirt. You want to look professional.

In Podcast #577, Meaghan Chitwood, BNI Northern Alabama Region Executive Director, recounts her experience with being 'not referable' as a business coach.

When Meaghan first joined a BNI chapter in Alabama, she’d just come out of the construction industry. Although she was now working as a business coach, she was still dressing to fit in on a construction site. She was focused on establishing credibility by knowing what she was talking about.

One day, two of her fellow BNI members came to her and said “We want to help you, because right now you’re just not referable.”

Are you referable?  What does your appearance say about you?  How are you showing up?  It's always been my philosophy that you never know when you're going to meet your next best client or referral partner.  I think sometimes BNI members take their weekly BNI meeting for granted in that these people know me, they know what I do, etc.  Maybe so, but what about the visitors or members from other chapters who could be potential clients or referral partners?  My advice....'Don't ever miss an opportunity to make a good first impression!'

Happy Networking,

Annette

BNI Area Director

How the best in every field rise to the top

7 Great Success Habits  by Brian Tracy

From February 2013 - The habits of success have been studied by great thinkers and philosophers for at least 2,500 years.  After personally studying the subject for more than 30 years, I have found that the very best people have the very best habits.  Based on these findings, I have identified seven habits that you need to develop if you want to perform at your very best in everything you do.

1. Goal orientation.  You need to become a habitual goal setter, and dedicate yourself to working from clear, written goals every day of your life.


2. Result orientation.  Result orientation is made up of two practices.  The first is the practice of continuously learning so that you become better at what you do.  The second practice is that of time management, which means setting very clear priorities on what you do and then concentrating single-mindedly on the most valuable use of your time.


3. Action orientation.  This is really the most important habit for material success.  It is the ability to get on with the job and get it done fast.  Fast tempo in whatever you do is essential to your success.  You need to overcome procrastination, push aside your fears, and launch 100% toward the achievement of your most important goals.
4. People orientation.  This is your decision to cultivate within yourself the habits of patience, kindness, compassion, and understanding.  Virtually all of your happiness in life will come from your ability to get along well with other people.  And getting along well with other people is based on a set of habits that you have learned, or failed to learn, from childhood.  But it is never too late to become a wonderful human being in your relationships with others.  The more you practice being a truly excellent person in your relationship with others, the more you will internalize those qualities and actually become that person.


5. Health orientation.  This means that you must make a conscious effort to eat the right foods in the right proportions.  You must exercise on a regular basis, continually using every muscle and joint of your body to keep it young and fit.  And finally, you must have regular habits of rest and recreation that will enable you, in combination with diet and exercise, to live a long, full life.  Remember, your health is the single most important thing you have, and it is completely dependent upon the habits you develop with regard to the way you live.


6. Character orientation.  In the final analysis, the character you develop as you go through life is more important than virtually anything else.  Honesty means that you practice the "reality principle" in everything you do.  You are completely objective with yourself and with the world around you.  You set very clear values for yourself and you organize your life around your values.  You develop a vision for yourself and then you live your life consistent with your highest ideals.  You never compromise your integrity or peace of mind for anyone or anything. This attitude of honesty will enable you to enjoy all of the other habits that you are developing.
7. Self-discipline orientation. This final habit guarantees all the others.  Your ability to discipline yourself, to master yourself, to control yourself, goes hand in hand with success in every area of life. My favorite definition of self-discipline comes from Elbert Hubbard: "Self-discipline is the ability to make yourself do what you should do, when you should do it, whether you feel like it or not." 

Every one of these habits--goal orientation, result orientation, action orientation, people orientation, health orientation, honesty, and self-discipline--can be developed and must be developed for great success.

Now, here are three steps you can take immediately to put these ideas into action:

First, write out and review your goals each morning before you start out; then work on them all day long.

Second, practice the very best health habits you know until they become second nature; be firm with yourself;

Third, discipline yourself daily to do the things you should do, when you should do them, whether you feel like it or not.

In appreciation,

Annette