First Impressions Are Vital To Success
Competition in today's business world is intense and making a good first impression is vital to one's success.
Improving your image and personal brand is a simple way to enhance a potential employer, colleague, or client’s first opinion of you. It can reinforce your reliability and competence in your field; and help you to advance your career.
Always Ask Questions First Before you can sell anything to anyone, you need to create a positive and trusting rapport. The best way to do this is to begin by asking questions. Learn as much as you can about what your client’s problems and concerns are. Don't try to use a one-size-fits-all approach. Customizing builds memorable relationships.
Share a Story For centuries now, storytelling remains the most basic tool for connecting us to one another. People attend, remember and are transformed by stories. Offer true-life examples of how your product or service helped others, like case studies or testimonials. Even in the world of business, stories have a unique power to move people’s hearts, minds, feet and wallets in the storyteller’s intended direction.
Be Truthful Your credibility is based on your ability to be honest in all situations. Always tell the truth, even if it costs you the sale. Your client will appreciate your candor and remember your honesty. As a result, he or she will be more likely to recommend you to another potential client or use your services in the future.
Mix Personal with Business A good first impression should be both personal and “business-like.” If you connect only at a personal level, you risk seeming unprofessional or irrelevant to whatever business context you may find yourself in. But if you connect only at a business level, you’ll be relevant, but you won’t be nearly as memorable.
Dare To Be Different Do something out of the ordinary that your client or customer would never expect. For example, instead of sending a text or an email, send a handwritten thank-you note, a gesture that is becoming increasingly rare. Or stand out from the crowd by dressing differently than everyone else. Wear a fashionable pair of shoes, socks, scarf or an amazing tie, anything that adds a bit of refinement, elegance and a splash of style to what might otherwise be a nondescript outfit.
Always Go Above and Beyond In today’s competitive business environment just about anyone can match or beat prices and everyone promises great service. So, one of the best ways you can be remembered is to perform at levels that consistently go above and beyond normal expectations. Try to look for ways to constantly improve your customers’ experience and be ready to interact in the highest professional manner.
At Jennifer Grant International, we are masters at helping people to make that all- important first impression. Contact us anytime for a free 15-minute coaching session to help you make a winning first impression. https://jennifergrantinternational.com/book-a-consultation