 |
|
Sherese
Duncan
|
Taking
Stock
of
Your
Personal
Image
for
Business
Whether
you
represent
a
small
business
or
a
major
corporation,
your
goal
is
positive
results
with
clients,
both
current
and
potential
ones.
But
before
you
can
get
your
foot
in
the
door
the
first
time—or
the
tenth
time—your
visual
image
has
to
be
attractive
to
your
prospect.
Some
people
would
disagree,
but
it’s
true.
You
may
be
able
to
make
the
appointment
over
the
phone,
or
sell
tons
of
products
online,
but
in
person
your
first
impression
on
your
prospect
is
visual.
Your
image
is
made
up
of
numerous
elements,
some
you
carefully
cultivate
and
others
you
may
not
even
be
aware
of.
To
give
yourself
an
image
“check
up,”
there
are
several
areas
you
can
examine:
1.
Others’
reactions
to
you.
Other
people’s
initial
reactions
to
you
can
tell
you
a
lot
about
whether
your
image
is
working
for
you
or
against
you.
Ask
yourself,
do
people
assume
you
are
a
lot
older
or
younger
than
you
really
are?
Do
people
take
you
seriously,
or
do
they
seem
unconvinced
or
dismissive?
Are
strangers
surprised
when
you
tell
them
what
you
do
for
a
living?
Such
questions
should
help
you
interpret
signals
you
receive
from
different
people
in
your
various
spheres
of
interaction.
Also,
are
you
changing
your
introduction
based
on
the
situation?
You
should
be.
This
is
important
so
that
you’re
not
presenting
a
cookie-cutter
approach,
which
is
very
easy
to
pick
up
on.
2.
Your
body
language.
Sit
if
front
of
a
full-length
mirror.
Study
how
you
look.
Be
sure
to
examine
all
parts
of
your
body.
How
do
you
look
in
different
positions?
Is
your
body
saying
what
you
want
it
to
say?
When
you
want
to
appear
friendlier,
are
your
arms
folded?
Are
you
sitting
in
a
masculine
position,
when
you
want
to
look
softer?
Once
you
are
aware
of
how
you
look,
you
can
make
little
changes
here
and
there
to
make
your
body
say
what
you
want
it
to
say.
3.
Your
business
approach.
Professionals
today
need
to
know
the
new
rules
in
business.
In
life
the
Golden
Rule
is,
“Do
unto
others
as
you
will
have
them
do
unto
you.”
In
business
however,
you
need
to
go
by
the
Platinum
Rule,
“Do
unto
others
the
way
they
want
to
be
treated.”
There
are
many
ways
to
approach
business
from
an
image
standpoint
but
we
tend
to
make
mistakes
that
can
be
avoided
very
easily.
The
problem:
we
forget
to
pay
attention
to
the
details.
The
following
are
some
basic
business
image
mistakes
to
avoid
regarding
the
way
you
approach
business:
•
Sending
out
sloppy
business
materials
•
Not
doing
what
you
say
you
are
going
to
do
•
Failing
to
say
“thank
you”
in
writing
•
Not
being
punctual,
nor
informing
of
an
absence
•
Not
answering
important
e-mails
and
voice
mail
messages
in
a
timely
manner
Of
course
these
are
very
simple
things
but
sometimes
we
get
caught
up
in
bad
image
habits.
Just
be
aware
and
work
on
avoiding
the
common
mistakes.
4.
Your
appearance.
Looking
great
needn’t
be
a
big
deal.
It’s
a
matter
of
having
a
simple
routine.
Here
are
some
quick
tips:
•
Keep
jewelry
simple
and
elegant;
ensure
your
makeup
is
light
and
natural
looking.
Make
sure
nails
are
manicured,
and
use
clear
polish
or
a
neutral
color.
Always
make
sure
your
clothing
is
crisp
and
clean;
most
importantly
that
it
fits.
There’s
nothing
worse
than
a
woman
in
an
ill-fitting
suit.
In
addition
make
sure
to
decide
on
your
business
look
and
stick
with
it
order
to
project
a
consistent
image.
There
are
many
ways
to
enhance
a
simple
suit
with
color
and
accessories,
just
maintain
the
look
and
you'll
be
fine.
Special
Note:
Check
your
appearance
in
a
three-panel
mirror
if
possible.
Watch
for
scuffs
on
shoes
and
wrinkles
in
clothing.
Do
not
allow
your
clothing
to
“wear”
you.
The
wardrobe
that
works
best
for
you
and
your
business
image
is
less
about
fashion
and
more
about
function.
5.
Internationally
Accepted
Guidelines
for
Dress.
Even
if
you
do
not
deal
in
international
business,
you
must
know
the
internationally
accepted
guidelines
for
business
dress.
No
matter
where
you
are,
if
you
see
a
sign
with
a
fork
and
knife
pictured,
what
does
that
mean?
Food,
right?
That
is
what
I
mean
by
internationally
accepted
guidelines.
Here
are
a
few
basic
wardrobe
pieces
that
work,
no
matter
your
environment:
•
Men:
A
dark
suit,
tie,
and
white
or
blue
dress
shirt.
•
Women:
Matching
skirt
suit,
or
a
dress,
or
matching
dress
and
jacket.
These
are
a
small
portion
of
the
things
you
can
do
to
take
stock
in
your
image,
but
you
are
an
important
part
in
the
achievement
of
your
goals.
Having
the
correct
outward
appearance
and
the
right
attitude
may
take
you
farther
than
education
or
experience.
|
Small
Business
Consultant,
Sherese
Duncan
“the
Lady
of
Profitable
Solutions,”
is
President
and
CEO
of
Efficio,
Inc.
a
small
business
education
and
consulting
firm.
For
more
information
about
Duncan
and
her
company,
go
to
www.efficio.biz
or
if
you
have
a
burning
business
question
that
needs
to
be
answered
email
