Fare Bella Figura - Make A Good Impression, Be A Sharp Dressed Man, Episode #112

Fare Bella Figura - Make A Good Impression, Be A Sharp Dressed Man, Episode #112 (Video here:https://bit.ly/4e8AUbb )

In business today, people judge us immediately based on how we are dressed, before we even get to say one word. Unfair? Yep! I run my own soft skills corporate training business in Tokyo. Every day I carefully choose my clothes to determine that so important first impression. How do you handle it?

This day, I had a meeting with my Sales Manager and later a final online training session for a multi-national organisation's APAC team. I wanted to look approachable for the training session.

I chose my grey Versace suit with a Prince of Wales check, and purple lines through it. It had peak lapels rather than the usual notch lapels for a single breasted suit, a Barchetta breast pocket which means little boat in Italian and is reminiscent of the prow of a boat angling upward, side vents, flap pockets, double cuffs and I had over the calf grey socks. Speaking of which and why they are absolutely necessary for all gentlemen, the other day I was at a British Chamber breakfast function where a gentleman on a panel discussion had ankle length socks. Sadly, they were way too short, so when he was seated we all had an excellent view of his hairy legs - most unattractive and demonstrated that he was lacking in self-awareness. Always go for the over the calf version and you will always look professional, no matter how much your trouser leg may be pulled up when you are seated. Let's keep our hairy shins a family secret.

The mauve shirt was from Australian maker Abelard 1922 with French Cuffs. The pocket square is my own creation and some fabric I bought in Kyoto and have repurposed as a pocket square. It is a bit thick, but done in a reverse puff it did a good job of combining the light mauve to pick up the colour in the shirt, with some white tips to make a nice contrast with the strong Thomas Pink London purple and black striped tie. I went for a Four-In-Hand knot for the tie because the silk tie is quite thick and can be a bit too much for a double Windsor knot. I have quite a few Thomas Pink London ties and they have quite strong patterns.

The silver corporate badge from Dale Carnegie, the pen was my black and gold Mont Blanc, the business card holder from Lanvin, the watch my vintage gold 24m Cartier Tank Francaise with a black nubuck alligator strap.

The high shine shoes were recently polished and were looking particularly high shine, which I was very happy about. They are very close to a mirror shine which actually I don't aim for, because of the immense amount of time that takes and the heartbreak you get when you scuff the shoes in the back of a Tokyo taxi or someone risks their life by standing on your toe cap. After all that work, you feel like crying or commiting a homicide.

Carmina Majorca cap toe Oxfords with a Swan Neck design, a Rain last, dark brown vegano leather, with JR Redenbach soles.

This shot was taken in the Mochizuki Room in our Akasaka HQ.

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About The Author

Dr. Greg Story, President Dale Carnegie Tokyo Training

The bestselling author of “Japan Sales Mastery” (the Japanese translation is "The Eigyo" (The営業), “Japan Business Mastery” and "Japan Presentations Mastery" and his new books "How To Stop Wasting Money On Training" and the translation "Toreningu De Okane Wo Muda Ni Suru No Wa Yamemashoo" (トレーニングでお金を無駄にするのは止めま and Japan Leadership Mastery (under translation).

Dr. Greg Story is an international keynote speaker, an executive coach, and a thought leader in the four critical areas for business people: leadership, communication, sales and presentations.?He leads the Dale Carnegie Franchise in Tokyo which traces its roots straight back to the very establishment of Dale Carnegie in Japan in 1963 by Mr. Frank Mochizuki.

He publishes daily blogs on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter

Has 6 weekly podcasts:

1.?????Mondays -??The Leadership Japan Series,

2.????Tuesdays – The Presentations Japan Series

Every second Tuesday - ビジネス達人の教え

3.????Wednesdays - The Sales Japan Series

4.????Thursdays – The Leadership Japan Series

Also every second Thursday - ビジネスプロポッドキャスト

5.????Fridays - The Japan Business Mastery Show

6.????Saturdays – Japan’s Top Business Interviews

Has 3 weekly TV shows on YouTube:

1.?????Mondays - The Cutting Edge Japan Business Show

Also every Second Thursday - ビジネスプロTV

2.????Fridays – Japan Business Mastery

3.????Saturdays – Japan Top Business Interviews

In the course of his career Dr. Greg Story has moved from the academic world, to consulting, investments, trade representation, international diplomacy, retail banking and people development.

Growing up in Brisbane, Australia he never imagined he would have a Ph.D. in Japanese decision-making, become a 39 year veteran of Japan and run his own company in Tokyo.

Since 1971, he has been a disciple of traditional Shitoryu Karate (糸東流) and is currently a 6th Dan.

Bunbu Ryodo (文武両道-both pen & sword) is his mantra and he applies martial art philosophies and strategies to business.