| Style, poise and flair are qualities that are difficult | | | | look as if it is. It should have the custom-made |
| to define, but easy to spot. Everyone knows | | | | detailing and fit.o Buy quality clothing. You should |
| someone who is graced with them, and, chances | | | | spend your money on a few pieces of good |
| are, that person is at or on the way to the top | | | | clothing rather than packing your closet with a lot |
| of his or her profession. | | | | of second-rate apparel.o Hair should be neatly |
| Certainly a winning image isn't the only factor that | | | | trimmed for both men and women. For example, |
| determines career success, but it is an important | | | | many business executives say that they don't |
| component. In today's highly competitive business | | | | take a man or a woman seriously if they have |
| world the quest for corporate advancement is | | | | long hair. |
| complicated by the changing nature of the | | | | To have a winning image, good communication |
| workplace. | | | | skills are crucial. In business, the foundation of |
| Diversity, job mobility and internationalization | | | | effective communication is empathy, the ability to |
| present new challenges. Corporate restructuring, | | | | understand the needs of coworkers, employees, |
| downsizing and fierce competition for | | | | clients and superiors. The strength of your |
| advancement mean that success requires more | | | | handshake, tone of voice, and your choice of |
| than good work and positive attitude. Without the | | | | words all are important to your communication |
| right professional image, even loyal, reliable | | | | and therefore to your overall image. |
| workers will be more likely to get pink slips than | | | | Usually people know how to relate to those below |
| merit badges. | | | | them but not to those above them. If you want |
| Many people think that all you need are excellent | | | | to establish good rapport with your superiors then |
| skills to be successful, but in fact, to move up the | | | | you need to show respectful deference in both |
| corporate ladder today you have to understand | | | | business and social situations and avoid any false |
| image, political skills, and attitude. No one is born | | | | camaraderie. |
| with a winning image, though some learn it at an | | | | Most people are unaware how important a proper |
| early age. Style is acquired. | | | | introduction is to projecting the right image. For |
| There are seven elements of a person's image; | | | | example, when you're at a business function you |
| color, wardrobe, grooming, image objects, | | | | should always introduce the person of lesser |
| communications, protocol, and etiquette. Most | | | | importance to the person of greater importance. |
| people think of image solely in terms of | | | | If you have a president of a company who is a |
| appearance and this is not correct. When it comes | | | | woman and a customer who is a man, the |
| projecting the right image you also must consider | | | | woman should be introduced to the man because |
| your personal situation and your goals. | | | | in that relationship, the customer is the more |
| If you want to rise to the top of your field you | | | | important person. |
| must remember that everything counts. So your | | | | A positive attitude can be the make-or-break |
| goal should be to look great every day. While | | | | factor that separates people headed for the top |
| color initiates the image-management process you | | | | from those who will spend their lives in middle |
| also have to be aware of things like the make of | | | | management. Your attitude towards others is |
| your shoes and your hairstyle. | | | | either the biggest asset or biggest liability in |
| The biggest problem for aspiring executives is | | | | business because it is connected to your "inner |
| appearance and the nothing does more to add to | | | | image." Your inner image is the reputation and |
| or take away from a person's image than color. | | | | relationship you have with yourself regarding your |
| The best colors for a given situation vary | | | | self-image, belonging, purpose, and competence. |
| according to the role a person will have in it. | | | | The first step in improving your inner image is to |
| For example, you should keep your color | | | | examine your perceptions of yourself and others. |
| combinations subdued if you want to blend in and | | | | The best way to do is by examining your |
| not outclass the boss, or if you just want to | | | | lifestyle, relationships and goals. Ask yourself a |
| gather information without drawing attention. If | | | | couple important questions: "If you could make a |
| you are a leader, though, you need a high level of | | | | wish list, what would you change? What do you |
| contrast in your clothing to create a powerful | | | | like about yourself?" The answers to these |
| look. | | | | questions will help you find out what your values |
| In addition to your choice of colors, there are | | | | are. |
| many other details that you need to pay | | | | Projecting the right image is internal. It will raise |
| attention to in projecting the right image:o Wear | | | | your awareness and cause you to have a more |
| quality shoes in current fashions. Shoes should | | | | positive and gracious attitude. You'll become more |
| always be high-quality and new-looking.o Handbags | | | | sensitive visually, kinesthetically and aurally. |
| should be new, but briefcases don't need to be. | | | | To move up the ladder of success you must |
| Like shoes, handbags should be exemplary. | | | | always put your best foot forward in everything |
| Briefcases, on the other hand, should look like | | | | you do, from appearance to environment to the |
| they are good quality but have been used for a | | | | way you treat others. The rest is up to you! |
| long time.o The appropriate shirt style depends on | | | | Copyright©2007 by Joe Love and JLM |
| your audience. A good rule of thumb for dress | | | | & Associates, Inc. |
| shirts is, if your shirt is not custom-made, it should | | | | |