Fare Bella Figura - Make A Good Impression, Be A Sharp Dressed Man, Episode #117

Fare Bella Figura - Make A Good Impression, Be A Sharp Dressed Man, Episode #117 (Video here:https://bit.ly/48F46FS )

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 attended a breakfast networking event "Women Leading The Way: Unique Qualities That Build Success" run by the American Chamber, held at the Tokyo American Club in Azabudai, trying to find a potential client.

I didn't find any unfortunately, but I did meet a lot of recruiters. This is a consistent theme with the American Chamber - lots and lots of young recruiters and no clients. These recruiters are usually totally untrained too. How can I tell? This day was a good example, with two people from the same firm sitting together at the same table. We have a rule in our office, that we never sit together when networking, so that we can cover the room and meet more prospects. If by chance we find when we sit down, we are at the same table, one of us has to get up and go find another table.

That is how the Pros do it, but obviously not this recruiting firm and they are not alone. I see this behaviour often. I cover networking techniques in my book Japan Sales Mastery, if you are interested.

By chance, I was seated next to a well dressed lady who turned out to be a previous Japan President of a major international jewellery brand, so I invited her to join me on my podcast Japan's Top Business Interviews and talk about one topic - her experiences leading in Japan.

This event was followed by an Executive Coaching session and later lunch at the Tokyo American Club. Back at the office in Akasaka, I had another Executive Coaching session, this one online and later an online meeting with an old friend of mine from Melbourne who was seeking my advice on entering the Japan market.

I wanted to look professional and yet approachable for the networking event, which I knew would have a lot of ladies present.

I chose my custom single breasted navy beadstripe suit with wool fabric by Lanifico Carlo Barbera Super 140s. The firm was founded in 1949 in Biella, and is now located in Pettingengo Italy. It had with notch lapels, side vents, pocket flaps, double cuffs and I wore over the calf navy socks.

The bright blue bead stripe is a nice change from the other pinstripes and chalkstripes I have. I find plain solid colour suits boring, so I go for pinstripes, chalkstripes and window pane patterns. They look plain from a distance, but give an entirely different impression when you get up close.

The blue shirt was from Abelard 1922, my Australian shirt maker, the collar stays were light metal from Rampley & Co London, the striped pink tie from Thomas Pink London, tied in a double Windsor knot.

I chose this tie in pink to make myself less fearsome looking in my powerlook beadstripe suit and the blue stripe in the tie worked well with the navy in the suit. The pocket square was from the Amalfi series from Massimo Pirrone and had a variety of colours, so I could pick up the tie easily.

The cufflinks from Louis Faglin Paris 1899 were pink to match the tie.

It so rare to find pink cufflinks, which is a bit strange given how often men wear pink ties these day. Don't believe me? Next time you are out shopping, check out the range of men's cufflinks and I bet you won't find anything in pink.

The silver corporate badge from Dale Carnegie, the pen was my black and gold Mont Blanc, the business card holder from Lanvin, the watch was my vintage rectangular 30mm Longines S30 EFCO with a black dial, stainless steel case and bracelet.

The high shine black shoes were wingtip Derbys with brogueing and a decorative medallion.

The shot was taken in the Wintergarden in the Tokyo American Club in Azabudai.

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About The Author

Dr. Greg Story, President Dale Carnegie Tokyo Training

Contact me at [email protected]

Bestselling author of “Japan Sales Mastery” (the Japanese translation is "The Eigyo" (The営業), “Japan Business Mastery” and "Japan Presentations Mastery".? He has also written "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しょう) and his brand new book is “Japan Leadership Mastery”.

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.