TAKE PRIDE IN OUR APPEARANCE

Fundamental of the Week: #23 - TAKE PRIDE IN OUR APPEARANCE. Your personal appearance makes a strong statement about the pride you take in your performance. Dress neatly and professionally. The appearance of our office makes a similar statement about the quality of our work. Take responsibility to see that our office environment is clean, neat, and professional.

Most people have heard the phrase “You don’t get a second chance to make a first impression.” Think about the impression that is created between these two people—one who wears a professional suit, pressed shirt, polished shoes, and appropriate tie and the other with a wrinkled suit and shirt, dirty shoes, and a frayed tie. Which person creates the best impression? 

Obviously, appearance does not mean the individual personifies the qualities of character, chemistry, caring, and competence. However, appearance does send a message that you pay attention to the details. And if you pay attention to your appearance, you are telling our clients that you care about the details of your work.

The same principle applies to our overall office environment. Have you ever noticed a piece of trash, a leaf, or dirt that was tracked into the office? If you see it, take the time to pick it up. It, too, gives a client or visitor an impression about who we are and if we pay attention to details.

We also need to be just as diligent about our personal work space. Client paperwork should always be neatly filed away and/or shredded if it does not need to be kept. Our desks should be neat, clean, and well organized.

Our attention to the details of our personal appearance and office and work space will give our visitors greater confidence in our attention to details. Let’s make sure that the first impression we create is the one that is consistent with our core values.

(Note: For additional information about other Fundamentals known as The Bernhardt Way, click on the following link or call the office and ask for a copy of The Bernhardt Way: The Bernhardt Way.)