Written on the 24 April 2008 by Rachel Quilty of Jump the Q.
Design an image that attracts clients. Position your business image for your market’s expectations.
In 30 seconds your client has judged your business and decided whether they like you, whether they trust you and whether they will do business with you.
How you will treat a client is reflected in your business image. Sixty-seven percent of first impressions are accurate. If you look good, your product will be good, your prices will be good and your client service will be good.
Encourage staff to appear as neat and attractive. More attractive people are more persuasive. Develop the habit of thinking how you are positioned in the hearts of your clients.
A better image equates to a better bottom line. There is no doubt about it! Image management has become the new strategic issue in brand building.
If you have a positive professional image, you are attributed with other positive skills and abilities. This is known as the Halo effect.
For example if you look confident, you will be perceived as competent and intelligent.
You will be good to do business with. People are willing to accept your prices and will question you less. Your customer service will be faultless.
If you don’t have a positive image people will challenge your product, prices and question service and quality. You will not be afforded the same opportunities, promotions and attention. This is called the Horn Effect.
The OPSM advertisement is a great illustration of this. The girl initially seems young and lacking authority and the ability to help the customer. She returns from the back office with professional looking hair and glasses and is immediately given the customers respect. Same person, different image, different perception of abilities.
Social psychologist say our first impression is made up of
55% visual
38% tonality
7% the words we use.
Within 6 seconds a person has formed an opinion of your business abilities and their likely experience. You have made an irreversible impression.
Present to impress and your clients will be!
Image management and the customer experience is so important that Ms Debbie Mayo-Smith include the following advice in her latest book, '101 Quck Tips: Create a great customer experience.'
Brand Yourself! And Jump the Q! Your personal brand should reflect your abilities and potential. Rachel Quilty, Personal Brand Strategist, known as ‘the Authority’ on personal branding and author of must- have book ‘Brand Yourself’. Go to http://www.JumptheQ.com.au for FREE strategic branding tips. Rachel encourages Jump the Q clients to think strategically when developing a personal brand to get that job offer, gain that promotion or win that client.
Jump the Q assists you to strategically and systematically leverage your professional profile and build your personal brand to become the authority in your industry. Get your free personal branding tactics and tips at http://www.brandyourselfblueprint.com
We assist you to develop your Personal Brand Strategy by:
- Discovering your purpose.
- Designing your best personal brand.
- Devising a personal marketing plan.
- Developing your Signature Brand.
Copyright permission: You have permission to use this article by respecting the copyright by publishing the entire article as it is with no changes and by agreeing to include the above reference at the end of the article, or where you quote the author in which case please include the authors name and company name. In the event you wish to use any or all of this content please advise Jump the Q.
