Be familiar with the Event, Meeting, Venue, People.  Dress with intent.  Dressing well and making the best First Impression does not mean you need to be dressed over-the-top.  It means understanding where you are, who you are with and dressing with Style, Elegance, Polish, Grace and Class. 

If you’re going for an interview take the time to research the company’s website, call into their office or shop and pay attention to their culture and environment.  What are they wearing?  This is what you will be faced with: 

• Business Formal
• Business Professional
• Business Casual
• Casual

 Would you believe there is a ‘Dress Code’ for all the different Horse Racing Events in Australia?  Yes, there is.  It may be subtle but there is and research is your best friend.

 And then, if you are an owner of a business, it will be just as tricky.  Who is your client, how are they dressed and what are their expectations? 

 Every single human being on this planet is selling something, and most people don’t realise this. 

 A couple of rules within Sales is to find ‘common ground’ and ‘mirror’ your client.  What easier way is there when you are in similar ‘dress’ (sorry boys – suits).  This puts you on the same wave-length as your client, subconsciously.  Without your client knowing, they are at ease! 

 If my client is a CEO, dressed in a suit, and I walk in wearing ripped jeans and t-shirt, no jacket, I’ve already put up an imaginary barrier.  Do I really need to point out that this has just put an extra hurdle, into an already unknown environment, which just didn’t need to be?

You are a Masterpiece, create and finish the look through clothes

Larger, taller, well-built people with huge personalities can often get away with wearing a few more pieces of jewellery, but as a rule, you don’t want to be ‘a well-lit Christmas Tree’.  There is such a thing as ‘over accessorizing’.

Apart from your clothes consider your make-up, hair, watch, shoes, jewellery, scarves and handbag.  People do take these things into consideration on their initial judgement.

One of the most famous designers of our time – Coco Chanel – was quoted saying:  before you walk out the door take one thing off.  I could not agree with her more.

OK…here’s the thing; even I was caught out the other day.  Off to the beach we went – Surfers Paradise, Gold Coast, Queensland, with our 2 dogs.  Here I am thinking – I’ll be in and out of the car in a flash, I’m in bathers, sarong, thongs, glasses and hat – who, on earth, is going to recognise me – no-one – NOT!!!  My sarong didn’t even match my bathers!  Eccckkkkk!!!

A friend called and asked that I drop into her shop and collect something – Sanctuary Cove, Queensland – no less.  At this point I’m still thinking … ‘I have my big black Chanel glasses on and a hat, no-one will recognise me’. 

I cannot impress upon you enough when I say I had only just closed my car door and opened the back door to get the dogs out when one of the Shop Owners jumped out to say ‘hello’.  Did I die a thousand deaths – errrrrr……yes!!!

Avoid Bad Days…even if they are at the beach.

I know this is a Blog and I just got a little side-tracked with my story but this is a totally relevant situation that SHOULD and COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED.

And worst of all, I should know better!

Now, to change the tone…

There is no better form of flattery as to when someone pays ‘genuine’ interest in you – as a person.  When someone is keen to learn about you, you immediately respond, and in turn, this opens an amazing connection.  Be the person that wants to know about everything and everyone.   It’s that connection you want to encourage, nurture and grow. 

Energy is contagious!  What’s that saying?  When you smile, the whole world smiles with you!

If you’re interested in people, your surroundings, what you’ll find is that your conversations and connections will be interesting!  That’s how great collaborations start.