Image Matters!

Image Matters!

Personal branding is particularly important for sales representatives, who can be the customer’s one contact with their company. Access problems and occasional distrust of the industry mean that the impression you convey can make or break your relationship with healthcare professionals. So why not make ‘to dress for success’ your New Year’s Resolution for 2009? In the first of a new series, we examine why your image matters.

In uncertain times, it is crucial that you portray a consistent image to your colleagues, your managers, your team and, most importantly, your customers. In the current climate, others need to feel confident in your value. Now is a good time to take a look at the impact you make on others. Is it consistent with what the business offers or are there perception gaps?

First impressions last and any damage takes a long time to repair – in some cases the opportunity will be lost forever. Success in business comes from the ability to portray the values of your company through your appearance, behaviour and communication style. It raises your profile above those of your peers.

Top Tips for Men

Sarah Setterfield is a Personal & Corporate Image Expert; she has worked with many companies to show their brand ambassadors how to represent the brand of the business through appearance and impact. If you’d like some help in creating powerful personal impact, contact Sarah Setterfield at impact4success on 01908 375371 or email sarah@impact4success.com.

The business uniform for a man is, of course, the suit. With so few options of suit colour available you have to be style savvy to ensure that you stand out from the crowd. Your appearance should create interest, increase your visual competence and avoid negative stereotyping. Here are a few tips to consider:
• A pinstripe suit will create more gravitas than a plain suit.
• If you are above average height and slim, opt for a high fastening top button on your jacket or go for doublebreasted. This will remove some of the height and therefore the possibility of being perceived as intimidating.
• If you want more height and a slimmer look, then opt for a single breasted jacket with a low top button.
• Your shirt and tie choice should reflect your personality and your value. Colour is key here, avoid the boring pale blue shirt and dark blue tie and go for something more interesting; bolder colours work well as shirt colours.
• Tie knots and shoes are noticed by everyone, avoid the tie knot you learnt at school and learn how to tie a Half or Full Windsor. Shoes should always be clean and polished; they are a representation of your attitude towards business!

Top Tips for Women

Unlike men, women have a vast choice when it comes to clothes; unfortunately this also gives us greater potential to get it wrong. Work should be about your abilities and values to the business, not how good your figure is! Here are some top tips for a successful business image:
• Today, a trouser suit is considered to be as professional for a woman as the skirt suit. (This wasn’t always the case though!) Pinstripe material or a dark matt fabric will give you the greatest professional presence.
• The most flattering jacket (whether part of a suit or not) for most women is a fitted style with a v-neck and the hem finishing at the hip bone. Low top button for a more slimming look and high top button for a broader look.
• Women’s shirts allow you to maintain a sense of gravitas when the jacket is removed. If you work in a male-dominated environment, the shirt option is always a good one when attending meetings.
• Accessories are best kept subtle when your most professional look is needed. In a high impact environment a statement piece of jewellery will get you noticed and make you memorable. The key is to use it at the right time!
• Make-up is a key part of your grooming, even a little natural make-up is better than none at all. Research has shown that make-up does help your promotion opportunities.