Projecting a Professional and Polished Look

Program Objectives

• Discuss how personality is formed and what are the factors affecting it;

• Identify ways to improve their self-image;

• Discuss and demonstrate techniques on improving one’s outer image; and

• Identify and draw up a personal improvement plan.

Course Outline

MODULE ONE: UNDERSTANDING

PERSONALITY• How Personality is Developed• Personality vs. Character• Your Self-Image and Your Inner Self• Aligning your Inner Self and Your

Self-Image

MODULE TWO: DEFINING THE IMAGE YOU WANT

• Self-Visioning: The Ideal YOU• Overcoming Obstacles to your

Ideal Self• Keeping the Ideal YOU in Mind

Course Outline

MODULE THREE: ASPECTS OF IMAGE

• Appearance and Grooming• Dressing for Success• The Power Look for Men and Women• The Finer Points: Taking a Look at

Details• A Pulled-Together Look

Course Outline

MODULE THREE: ASPECTS OF IMAGE

• Posture and Facial Expression• Being Aware of Your Facial Expression• The Look of Confidence• The Aristocratic Poise

Course Outline

MODULE THREE: ASPECTS OF IMAGE

• Behaviors: Gestures and Words• Controlling Over-gesticulation• Using Gestures for Emphasis• The Right Words to say For the Right

Situation• Phrases to Avoid

Course Outline

MODULE THREE: ASPECTS OF IMAGE

• Etiquette and Manners• Conducting Oneself during Client

Visits• Projecting Your Organization’s Image • The Polished Image

Course Outline

MODULE FOUR: SYNTHESIS AND INTEGRATION

• A personal improvement action plan

• A commitment to continuous growth

Course Outline

Professionalism

• A set of internalized character strengths and values directed toward high-quality service to others through one’s work

• Their work is a statement of their personal commitment to excellence of performance

You and Your Image

Making it Work for You

What is Image

• Your IMAGE is how people feel about you. It is their impression of you and based on this, others will react to you and treat you.

Importance of Image

• Your ability to advance to positions of greater responsibility will often depend on the impression you communicate to others.

What Determines Image

SELF• good• true

• beautiful

SELF-CONCEPT

OrSELF-

IMAGE

YOURIMAGE

• The way you look;• Your behaviors;• What and how you say it;• How you treat others.

• YourExperiences• OthersExpectations• YourExpectations

Self-Concept

• organized consistent set of ideas, attitudes, and feelings you have about yourself that influences the way to relate to others.

• comes from roles you play in your life

Self-Concept

• What other people tell us about ourselves;

• Our observations of our own behaviors and its consequences;

• How we measure up to relevant norms.

A Positive Self-Concept

• Identify and accept your own limitations;

• Visualize the results you want;• Set goals and affirm these goals;• Make decisions; and• Develop expertise in some area.

• Imagine that it is Monday morning, 9a.m. three years from now. . .• Where are you?• What are you doing?• Who are you seeing?• What are you wearing?

• It is now noon, same day . . .• Who are you going to see?• Where are you going for lunch?

Tone of Voice

Job Knowledge

MannersDress and Grooming

Past Performance Confidence

FacialExpression

CaringAttitude

CommunicationStyle

Your image speaks volumes.Peter Drucker

Dressing for Success

How you Dress

Candidates for promotion who believe the only criteria for job-promotion success should be their credentials may be surprised to know that when all other qualifications are equal, the best-dressed candidate usually gets the job.

The Primacy Effect

• The tendency to form impressions quickly at the time of an initial meeting.

• First impressions establish the MENTAL FRAMEWORK within which a person is viewed, and later evidence is either ignored or reinterpreted to coincide with this framework.

The Four-Minute Barrier

• Human relationships will be established, reconfirmed or denied.

• It is within these first few minutes that people’s attention spans are at their greatest and powers of retention at their highest.

How to Dress for a Sales Call

• Call the receptionist or secretary at the prospective client's office for tips on what employees there wear.

• Consider the job's location. • Realize that before you speak, your

clothing already has. First impressions occur within 30 seconds, often subliminally. A person makes at least 10 value judgments about you during this time

How to Dress for a Sales Call

• Know what complements you. • Pay attention to detail. Your outfit

should be spotless and well pressed. • Unless you are told specifically that the

sales call is business casual, plan for business formal attire.

• Think conservatively while selecting your outfit.

• Choose and try on your clothes in advance.

• Make sure you shower and brush your teeth.

• Take time to clean your hands and fingernails. Have them clean and trimmed.

How to Dress for a Sales Call

• Wear something that fits correctly. • Be sure after each wearing your

outfit looks fresh. Take into consideration your schedule when planning what you need.

• Above all else, be clean!

How to Dress for a Sales Call

The Corporate Outfit

The Corporate Outfit

Women’s Corporate Outfit

Men’s Corporate Outfit

Dressing Tips for Men (DO’s)

• Business Formal - Suit and Tie • Head

• neat hairstyle • short, trim, and well-groomed hairstyles

work better than long, messy ones. • Wear light scented cologne.• Neck

• complimentary tie • silk with a conservative pattern.• Tip of the tie should touch top of the belt.

Dressing Tips for Men (DO’s)

• Suit • Jacket and trousers are a must! • Dark, solid colors are best (Black, Navy,

and Dark Gray).

• Shirt • White collared shirt is safe, blue

otherwise, but do not wear button down collared shirts.

• Belt • Always have a belt on.

• Socks• Dark “dress” socks should match the suit.

• Shoes • Oxfords or loafers. • Clean and polished please!

Dressing Tips for Men (DO’s)

• Business Formal – Suit and Tie• Head–

• no hats/caps! • NO heavy scented

colognes.• Cufflinks, necklace, rings, etc.• Face

• no facial hair and the 5o’clock shadow look.• Socks

• Leave your gym socks at home!• Shoes

• No sneakers, tennis shoes, or running shoes

Dressing Tips for Men (DONT’s)

• Business Casual – Shirt and Slacks • Head

• neat hairstyle • short, trim, and well-groomed hairstyles • Light scented cologne.

• Neck• complimentary tie• silk with a conservative pattern.

• Suit • collared shirt and slacks. • jacket is a nice addition but not required.

Dressing Tips for Men (DO’s)

• Business Casual – Shirt and Slacks • Socks

• Dark “dress socks” that match the slacks. • Shoes

• oxfords or loafers• Clean and polished please!

Dressing Tips for Men (DO’s)

• Business Casual – Shirt and Slacks • Head – hats or caps! • NO heavy scented colognes.• Suit – pocket or logo t-shirts or shorts! • Socks – Leave your gym socks at home!• Shoes – NO open-toe slippers or sandals.

Dressing Tips for Men (DONT’s)

Recommendations (MEN)

• Two-piece suits• Five 2-button, 3-button or double breasted

suits.• Sport coat and trousers

• They should always contrast for a more casual look.

• Ties• The knot should fill the space at the top of

the shirt

When combining suit, shirt and tie, choose:• One solid and two patterns• Two solids and one pattern• Three patterns

Recommendations (MEN)

Best Colors

• Suits, Sport Coats, and Trousers• Navy, gray and charcoal are powerful

colors.• Be careful with black – it can be

intimidating.• Medium blue is friendly.• Pinstripe adds power.• Plaid sport coats are too casual for

business.

• Shirts• Should always be long sleeve• Solid colors are preferred; white is the

best and safest choice.• Pale blue is acceptable.• Light blue and red pinstripes are

acceptable alternatives.• Avoid lavender, peach, plaids, dots

and broad stripes.

Best Colors

• Ties• Tie should contrast with jacket.• Tie and suit color should complement

each other, but not match.• Burgundy, red and navy work as

background colors.• Small geometric prints and stripes are

good choices.

Best Colors

• Ties• Paisleys with subdued patterns are

alternatives.• Tie colors should be subtle.

Best Colors

Dressing Tips for Women (DO’s)

• Business Formal – Dress or Pant Suit • Head

• Neat and well-groomed hairstyle. • Light perfume.

• Suit • Jacket and trousers/skirt or dress a must! • Preferably matching.• Skirt should be no shorter than slightly above the

knee or no longer than just below mid-calf• Shirt

• Collared shirt in light or pastel colors.

Dressing Tips for Women (DO’s)

• Business Formal – Dress or Pant Suit • Hands

• Briefcase instead of a purse.• Socks

• Conservative hosiery at or near skin color.

• Shoes• Closed-toe, low heels or flats. • No high heels or platform shoes.• Must match or darker than hemline.

• Business Formal – Dress or Pant Suit • Accessories

• Small pieces• One ring per hand

• Belts• In neutral colors• No wider than 1 inch

Dressing Tips for Women (DO’s)

Dressing Tips for Women (DONT’s)

• Business Formal – Dress or Pant Suit• Head

• Frizzy, out-of-control hair. • No heavy scented perfumes.• Face

• Heavy make-up.• Suit

• Short skirts or tank tops!• No sheer fabrics, frills, ruffles, straps or

plunging necklines.

Dressing Tips for Women (DONT’s)

• Business Formal – Dress or Pant Suit• Accessories

• Dangling earrings• Chunky jewelry

• Socks • Runs in hosiery (bring an extra pair).

• Shoes• Open toe shoes, sandals

Recommendations (WOMEN)

• The skirt suit and pantsuit• Should be mainstay of your wardrobe.• A single-breasted jacket is more

formal and more conservative than double-breasted jacket.

• Double-breasted jacket should always be buttoned.

Recommendations (WOMEN)

• The skirt suit and pantsuit• 2 types of skirt suits and pansuits

• The matched suit in which the jacket is not worn with other skirts or slacks

• The constructed jacket with a constrasting skirt or slacks.

Recommendations (WOMEN)

• Unconstructed Jacket.• A casual, loose fitting jacket that can

be used to mix and match with skirts and slacks to extend your wardrobe.

• One- or two- piece Dress• Can be worn alone or with a jacket.• Not as powerful as a suit though

The Winning Posture

Use your Body - Posture

• stand, sit and walk with good posture

• stand with your feet around 30-40 cm apart for better balance

• avoid swaying and rocking or wagging head

T

NEDK

K

A. The “Stand Tall” Posture. This is the aristocratic bearing. You know this man is happy and successful.

B. The “Watch Out” Posture. This posture is still good but slipping. It probably belongs to one who has always stood tall, but has now begun to take things easy.

C. The “Trouble Ahead” Posture. This belongs to the person who never remembers to stand or sit straight. He slumps at the desk, slouches when he walks and curls up in an easy chair in the evening.

D. The “Trouble Is Here” Posture. This person has gone so long without straightening up that there is a complete let-down in his muscles. He has indigestion, constipation, rheumatism and goodness knows what not.

The Winning Posture

Using Your Voice

Maximizing Your Voice

• keep head straight when talking• give your abdomen freedom to move• instead of clearing throat or coughing, try

swallowing, drinking, pausing or taking deep breath

• open mouth wide enough• avoid talking too much when you’re hungry or

your throat is dry

Use Your Voice - Inflection

• Pitch• vary• lower pitch voices are preferred by

listeners• use varied pitch to emphasize

• active points• prime points

Use Your Voice - Volume

• Volume• speak strongly for normal delivery• vary volume level for emphasis• do not “trail off” at the end of sentences

• Pace• speak quickly when conveying excitement

Use Your Voice - Diction

• Speak clearly at all times, especially key words

• Learn correct pronunciation of words and names

• Nonverbal Communication Skills • Verbal Communication Skills • Etiquette

• Greet the prospect with a firm handshake.

• Maintain steady eye contact with the interviewer.

• Use positive vocal qualities and facial expressions.

Verbal Communication Skills

• Sit attentively to demonstrate your interest and enthusiasm.

• Dress in a suitable manner to convey a polished, professional image.

Verbal Communication Skills

• Mirror the prospect's body language • Sit properly. Use the athletic and low-

cross positions. (The low cross position is more appropriate sitting position for females.)

Verbal Communication Skills

• The less a person moves their hands and arms, the more powerful they are.

• Try to keep your hands lower than your elbows, rest them on the arms of the chair or your thighs.

Verbal Communication Skills

• Use proper grammar. • Don't exaggerate and don't be

negative. • Be specific; refer to concrete

experiences.• Keep to the point. Don't bring up

extraneous matters.

Verbal Communication Skills

• Be as specific as possible. • Don't try to dominate the

conversation. • Ask appropriate and well thought out

questions.

Verbal Communication Skills

Verbal Communication Skills

• Your voice is an important tool. Make sure that it projects

• Enunciate carefully, but don't fake an accent.

• Your tone should be enthusiastic and confident.

Verbal Communication Skills

• Avoid fillers like "um," "you know" and "things like that."

• Silence is perfectly acceptable. Take time to organize your answers.

• Avoid slang and informal language. • Answer questions in the language in

which they are asked.

Etiquette

Importance of Etiquette

• Make a good impression.• Get and gain business.

Common Faux Pas

• Inappropriate language• Disregard of others’ time• Inappropriate dress/poor grooming• Misuse of telephone• Failure to greet appropriately• Poor listening skills• Distracting mannerisms• Poor use of technology• Disregarding rules of privacy

Meeting Mistakes

• Arriving late, leaving early or intermittently

• Exceeding time allotment• Not coming prepared• Doodling, drumming fingers or

yawning• Being sarcastic, attacking people

rather than ideas

Meeting Mistakes

• Not participating or listening effectively

• Going off tangent• Engaging in side conversations• Reading, eating, smoking, burping• Falling asleep • Making a mess

Other Pointers

• Beware when using rumor.• Know how close you should stand

to the other person.• Sometimes the wardrobe choice is

critical.

Handling Business Cards

• Exchange business cards either at the beginning or at the end of the meeting.

• Whenever you receive a business card, make it a habit to study the business card and comment on it.

• Do not thrust your business card at anyone with whom you are hardly acquainted with.

Handling Business Cards

• Never write on your business partner’s business card. • Leave it on the desk all throughout

the meeting.• Do not just thrust the business card in

your pocket. Have a business card case.

Introductions

• Always stand up when being introduced to someone.

• The name of the person of highest rank, or the person of honor, should be spoken first.

The Handshake

Handshake

• Degree of firmness• A firm handshake will communicate a

caring attitude, whereas a weak grip communicates indifference.

• Degree of dryness of hands• A clammy hand is likely to repel

people.

Handshake

• Duration of grip• By extending the handshake, you can

often communicate interest and concern.

• Depth of interlock• A full, deep grip is more apt to convey

friendship and strength to the other person.

Handshake

• Eye contact during handshake• Shake hands with everyone – men

and women – the same way.

Ten Commandments for Gender Neutral Etiquette

• Shake hands with everyone the same way.

• Women should always stand when introduced, as men do.

• Use you full name when introducing yourself.

• It is proper to address women as “Ms.”

Ten Commandments for Gender Neutral Etiquette

• Introduce people based on rank, not gender.

• Avoid touching people.• Avoid showing too much skin.• People open doors for people, not

necessarily men opening doors for women.

Ten Commandments for Gender Neutral Etiquette

• The host of a business lunch, the one who invited, pays for lunch regardless of gender.

• Avoid saying, “hon”, “dear”, “tita”, “ate”, “sis”, etc. to people in the work environment and over the telephone.