YOUR BUSINESS IMAGE

ARE YOU SCARING YOUR CLIENTS AWAY?

It’s pretty well known that people subconsciously form an opinion about someone within a matter of seconds of meeting them for the first time – and much of that opinion is based on visual impression.

So, it’s surprising how many businessmen and women still neglect to put the necessary thought and effort into projecting a positive business image for themselves.

After all, what’s the point of spending large

sums of money on a great looking website,

slick brochures and advertising if you

don’t inspire confidence in prospective clients when they actually meet you?

How can you ensure that potential clients are already formin

g a positive impression of you by the time you shake their hand, and not thinking about running for the hills?

People tend to buy from people they trust - not only to be honest and professional, but also to be capable and energetic on their clients’ behalf - so your business image should suggest all of those qualities without your having to say a word!

OK, so you don’t have a bolt through your neck, but if you’re wearing colours which are harsh or overpowering on you, you can look washed out and drained – leading prospective customers or employers to wonder secretly whether you have "what it takes" to do a good job for them.....

The COLOURS you wear play a really important part in the image you project. Choosing colours to flatter your natural colouring will not only help you to look better generally, you'll look healthy, brighter and full of energy - and by association give an impression of competence and capability.

Choosing the right shades of colour will make all the difference as to whether you look ‘in the pink,’ or in urgent need of medical attention!

You can clearly see the contrast between these two pictures showing the

effect of different shades of pink.

Below Left - Rose Pink is flattering Below Right - Salmon Pink is draining and harsh

Here are some general tips to guide your business wear choices:

A FORMAL BUSINESS LOOK - a suit is always ideal for business

meetings and will be a requirement for many working in a large corporate environment or one of the more conservative business sectors. Lapels on your jacket mean business and accentuate professionalism.

But what colours to choose?

An Authoritative Look - to project leadership and authority, choose a suit in a very dark neutral colour, and team it with a shirt or blouse in a very light neutral.

The sharp contrast in this look is great when you need to chair meetings or to convey a powerful "Don't mess with me" impression. For someone with dark hair and dark eyes, this might be a black suit and a white shirt. Very dark grey or dark navy for the suit could also work.

Right – Lord Sugar fires yet another Apprentice “hopeful!”

For those whose colouring is warm toned though, or who have red hair, these cool dark colours can be very draining – try a dark charcoal brown with a pale oatmeal instead.

Right - the actor Damien Lewis

looks good in a warm light brown jacket (near picture) but the navy/sky blue combination really doesn’t flatter his colouring! (far picture)

Fair haired people may find that very strong, deep shades will be overpowering for their colouring and leave them looking ‘washed out’, so choose a lighter navy or medium grey, worn with ivory or off-white.

Professional but Approachable - If you'd like a friendlier image or to appear more of a 'team player’, choose a shirt or blouse which blends with your suit colour, rather than contrasting with it. For a black or dark grey suit, this could be a lighter grey/red striped shirt, a light rust or warm beige shirt with a suit in dark chocolate or coffee, or a lighter blue shirt worn with a navy suit.

Brighter Colours always introduce a more approachable note. For men, a splash of a flattering colour in their tie will immediately make their image a little more relaxed. This also helps to soften the effect of suit colours which may not flatter you, but are demanded by your profession. Ladies can do the same with a scarf, and should also remember that a tailored jacket in a vivid colour is still business-like, but good for occasions when you want people to talk to you!

Take Care with Black - it's a very powerful colour and suggests a commanding image, but can also create 'subconscious' barriers to trust. You can soften the impact with a pinstripe in your black suit. For those business people who need to create strong relationships of trust, relaxation and openness with their clients - therapists, counsellors and coaches for example - I'd advise against too much black in your outfit.

CASUAL BUSINESS STYLE - Men can achieve a less formal impression by swapping very structured tailoring for slightly looser styles, or more casual fabrics (needle-cord, linen, suede, leather, tweed) and slightly brighter colours or patterned shirts.

Ladies can substitute a tailored jacket for a longer line draped cardigan or waistcoat, and introduce vivid colours for their top, shoes/accessories to immediately look more relaxed - great for those 'dress down' days when no one knows what to wear........!

It’s essential that your style of work wear reflects the values and qualities associated with the business sector you work in – a well tailored suit is an absolute necessity for anyone working in any of the more traditional professions such as law, accountancy or banking and is highly recommended in any business which offers to manage people’s money or investments! A scruffy, unkempt appearance will not encourage anyone to hand over their hard earned savings to your care………

Those in more “creative” professions can afford be rather more relaxed about their business style; prospective clients won’t be too alarmed if a designer or concept artist shows some individualism in the way they dress, and might well be slightly worried if the artistic genius they are relying on for exciting fresh ideas for their brand turns up to a meeting in a sober pinstriped suit!

So – dress appropriately, but remember that whatever your profession, the basics of good personal grooming are important:

• Nasal hair (in men or women!) is extremely off putting – remove it. Now.
• Invest in a good hair cut and make sure (men) that any facial hair you wear is neatly trimmed.
• Clean fingernails
• Polish your shoes
• No stained, frayed or crumpled clothes
• Wear clothes which fit you properly – tight, ill-fitting clothes do not inspire confidence……

And finally – why ladies should always wear lipstick
It’s astonishing what a difference just a lip colour in the right shade can make.Every lady has her own views about how much make up she likes to wear – some may never leave the house without ensuring that they are perfectly made up, while others take some persuading to bother at all.

Of course every individual is entitled to their own opinion on this, but do be aware that you may be selling yourselves short if you don’t, at the very least, put on lipstick. It takes only a few seconds but really brightens your face, and also enhances your eyes by balancing their colour with colour on the lower half of the face.

These pictures, taken within a few minutes of each other, show the difference – in the lower picture, the lady is not wearing any makeup, in the top picture she has just added a bright red lipstick to complement her best combination of black and scarlet. Yet how much brighter her eyes and complexion appear!

It is worth bearing in mind that women who wear make up in the work-place earn, on average, 25% more than women who do not.

Why is this?
Firstly – they look healthier and brighter, which suggests effectiveness, competence and energy in doing their job.
Secondly – if they are sufficiently well organised to be able to present themselves at work looking smartly groomed, bosses or prospective clients will conclude that they are also likely to bring those organisational skills to their business activities.
Thirdly – they are telling the world that they place a value on themselves and how they appear, and that they expect to be taken seriously.

So ladies, if you are looking to promote your business, or to progress in your present career, it pays to take the trouble to wear at least a little make-up!

If you'd like to find out how to achieve a great business image, and which colours will work brilliantly for you - then please get in touch to see how I can help you on info@cascadeimage.co.uk

Wishing you success with your image and your business!

Cass Edwards

Cascade Colour & Style

01245 440162

www.cascadeimage.co.uk