IMAGE - the first impressions
Sridhar V.
Logistician | Community Builder for Entrepreneurs | Helping entrepreneurs unlock their true potential & continuously scale up their business ?? | Think and Grow Rich Ambassador | Motivational Speaker
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Image is one of the major factors that influence buying decisions. Your personality and your attitude reflect in the way you show up at networking events be it OFFLINE or ONLINE.
Research says people decide within the first 7 seconds whether they want to do business with you or not and the decision is based on their impression of you. In other words, it strengthens the age-old saying “the first impression is the best impression.” Sometimes it takes a lot of meetings and trust-building before this image is reversed. We do not get such opportunities often to meet people a second time leave alone a lot of times.
Just because most networking these days is Online, people tend to take it casually. Putting your best self forward is a choice you have. And choices have consequences. Again, how we show up has a direct connection to our self-image. Because most of the time it is a subconscious decision we make.
Dressing up based on industry and to the occasion is very important. It reflects that we have given serious thought to it.
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Registering and not turning up (worse not communicating inability to attend)
Attire appropriate to match industry and event (even if the event is Online)
Turning up on time
Listening more than speaking
Being well prepared
Crystal clear in communication
Oozing confidence
Genuineness in commitments (No loose talks)
Willing to help others (not transactional)
Following up appropriately
Smiling and friendly versus a serious (don’t approach me) look
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Video and Audio quality
Video is kept turned On at all times for a Video conferencing event
Audio is kept mute at all times except while speaking
Good Lighting
Using a Laptop vis-à-vis a mobile
Ensures that the surroundings are clean and worthy of a video conference.
Looking "outside-in" is the best way to make the right decisions on your Image and how you show up for meetings.
The question in this regard to ask yourself is – “What are reasons you would never buy something from someone?” Make a list and see which areas you may need to work upon to improve your image.
Please do share below in the comments if you have anything more to add to the above list based on your experience attending a networking session.
Experienced Business Communication Executive | Strategic Leader in Organizational Growth & Brand Development | Expert in Driving Engagement and Innovation
3 年Wonderful article Sridhar V.. Yes first impression really matters. Agreed ????????????????
Why settle for "GOOD" if "EVEN BETTER" is an option? Know your talent and treat it well Leading Gallup CliftonStrengths Coach, Dubai
3 年Such an important piece of advice Sridhar V. Our image is our personal brand statement to the world and since first impressions count so highly, it's important we get the right message across.
Founder Director at Auracious Global Consulting
3 年Sridhar V. ...Couldn't agree more on the First Impressions and how your overall persona creates a certain perception in people's minds....sometimes even in.less than 7 seconds...The impact of First Impressions is Huge...In my opinion, First Impressions are the lasting Impressions... Especially in my Image Etiquette Workshops , First Impressions...Tops my list...
Senior Business Development Manager at Bond Interiors I Luxury Interiors I Turnkey Design & Build I Commercial Interiors I Retail I Luxury I F&B I Travel Retail I Mill work I Strategy & Networking I Speaker I AI I
3 年Great article Sridhar, Personal interactions (meetings) have a short code of conduct which you rightly mentioned here, however the image as in broad sense is created through your attitude and that's the feeling one will carry about you as you rightly quoted in the phrase "How you made them feel?", Are you seen as a part of the problem or a solution? Are you seen as a flexible colleague or manager or a rigid , adamant individual? Do you have mindset to understand others contribution, struggles, achievements , do you compliment them? This is much more needed to be in you to have that image of yours as a special one among the lot. I have seen and worked with some of the most talented and successful individuals who never understood how difficult is to work with them, how they make other feel about them just because they are on the pinnacle of the glory, success and competence. If such an attitude is nurtured by individuals then it takes not even 7 seconds for that image to come out of that soul which will be always avoided, unfortunately.........