Have you ever had a day where you were just running from the moment you got up, until the minute you put your head on the pillow that evening? That was last Thursday for me.
I was in meetings, meetings, and more meetings all day long! The purpose of most of the meetings was to establish new relationships that might lead to profitable business down the road.
I was totally dumbfounded however, by some of the people that I met with that day because they made some major mistakes and left me with very bad first impressions.
Everybody knows that you only get once chance to make a good first impression, but it's amazing how many people don't take it seriously.
A first impression made in as little as a few seconds can make or break a business deal.
So here are a couple of tips that are guaranteed to help you make a great first impression, every time! 1.
Dress to impress and look your best.
The way you look matters, whether you like it or not.
Studies show that people who dress well and look attractive have more opportunities and make more money! Case in point, this week the world was stunned by the amazing performance on Britain's Got Talent by Susan Boyle.
Susan looked much older in the frumpy dress, frazzled hairstyle and bushy eyebrows than her 47 years, and when she walked out onto the stage, everyone laughed at her.
She said her dream was to be a professional singer, but that she had never been given the chance.
Unfortunately, the way she looked has probably had been a big part of the reason, according to the interviewers on the CBS News Early Show.
Frankly, she looked horrible.
Later on this week, she was shown in an interview, with Scottish TV and she had obviously been made up for it.
Gone was the frumpy outfit and in its place was a modern suit.
Her hair was done up and she was wearing makeup.
She looked nice, and it was then that her look matched her talent.
The problem is, that even if you have the most wonderful talents and gifts, they won't get an opportunity to be seen if your packaging doesn't match.
You can judge a book by its cover, so make the cover attractive.
2.
Treat every first meeting like a job interview, because it is.
The purpose of a job interview is to get to know the candidate.
As an interviewer you want to find out about their skills and abilities to start, but more importantly you want to find out about their attitude and personality.
You've got to decide if they are a good fit for your organization in many ways, and what kind of value they will bring to your company.
The same is true in business when meeting a prospect, contact or client for the first time.
Just like in an interview, you want to show the potential client that you have done your homework on their company and that you have definite ideas that can add value and make you an excellent partner.
Just like in an interview, you want to make the conversation about their needs, not about yours.
Because really, it's all about them, not about you.
At one of my networking meetings this week we were introduced to a guest.
During the 30 second commercial, this guest droned on and on about her THREE companies.
She told us how great she was over and over then she proceeded to hand out her three different business cards.
At another point in the meeting she interrupted the leader to talk about her businesses again and then she had the audacity to tell the leader what she needed to do to improve the meeting.
Lastly this woman sent everyone out an email directing us to do business with her because of how great she was.
I was offended as were other members of the group.
She was an invited guest, but she had acted like she owned the place.
I can guarantee I will never do business with her.
Make the meeting about the other person first, look and act your best.
Ask lots of questions, find out what their need are, and lastly be careful what you say and do.
Have you ever experienced meetings like this? Do you have any more tips to add? Email me at Buzz@23Kazoos.
com.
I'll post the best tips, and attribute the sender, in a future article!
I was in meetings, meetings, and more meetings all day long! The purpose of most of the meetings was to establish new relationships that might lead to profitable business down the road.
I was totally dumbfounded however, by some of the people that I met with that day because they made some major mistakes and left me with very bad first impressions.
Everybody knows that you only get once chance to make a good first impression, but it's amazing how many people don't take it seriously.
A first impression made in as little as a few seconds can make or break a business deal.
So here are a couple of tips that are guaranteed to help you make a great first impression, every time! 1.
Dress to impress and look your best.
The way you look matters, whether you like it or not.
Studies show that people who dress well and look attractive have more opportunities and make more money! Case in point, this week the world was stunned by the amazing performance on Britain's Got Talent by Susan Boyle.
Susan looked much older in the frumpy dress, frazzled hairstyle and bushy eyebrows than her 47 years, and when she walked out onto the stage, everyone laughed at her.
She said her dream was to be a professional singer, but that she had never been given the chance.
Unfortunately, the way she looked has probably had been a big part of the reason, according to the interviewers on the CBS News Early Show.
Frankly, she looked horrible.
Later on this week, she was shown in an interview, with Scottish TV and she had obviously been made up for it.
Gone was the frumpy outfit and in its place was a modern suit.
Her hair was done up and she was wearing makeup.
She looked nice, and it was then that her look matched her talent.
The problem is, that even if you have the most wonderful talents and gifts, they won't get an opportunity to be seen if your packaging doesn't match.
You can judge a book by its cover, so make the cover attractive.
2.
Treat every first meeting like a job interview, because it is.
The purpose of a job interview is to get to know the candidate.
As an interviewer you want to find out about their skills and abilities to start, but more importantly you want to find out about their attitude and personality.
You've got to decide if they are a good fit for your organization in many ways, and what kind of value they will bring to your company.
The same is true in business when meeting a prospect, contact or client for the first time.
Just like in an interview, you want to show the potential client that you have done your homework on their company and that you have definite ideas that can add value and make you an excellent partner.
Just like in an interview, you want to make the conversation about their needs, not about yours.
Because really, it's all about them, not about you.
At one of my networking meetings this week we were introduced to a guest.
During the 30 second commercial, this guest droned on and on about her THREE companies.
She told us how great she was over and over then she proceeded to hand out her three different business cards.
At another point in the meeting she interrupted the leader to talk about her businesses again and then she had the audacity to tell the leader what she needed to do to improve the meeting.
Lastly this woman sent everyone out an email directing us to do business with her because of how great she was.
I was offended as were other members of the group.
She was an invited guest, but she had acted like she owned the place.
I can guarantee I will never do business with her.
Make the meeting about the other person first, look and act your best.
Ask lots of questions, find out what their need are, and lastly be careful what you say and do.
Have you ever experienced meetings like this? Do you have any more tips to add? Email me at Buzz@23Kazoos.
com.
I'll post the best tips, and attribute the sender, in a future article!
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