You only have 1 chance to make a good first impression. In a few seconds and minutes your prospects and team will make many judgments about you. Whether they can trust you, believe in you, like you. Whether they feel like they can hitch their financial wagon to yours. Of course there are many variables people use to make these judgments, but your grooming and dress are principle factors.
Dress and grooming are outward signs of competency and commitment. Anytime you talk of success and business ownership, you do not want anything about your appearance or outward habits to detract from your message. Of course proper hygiene is a must, and a very conservative amount of cologne or perfume is appropriate.
For men, a suit, or shirt, tie, and dress slacks are expected. People usually look at three things beyond the obvious expectation of dress.
- Your pen.
- Your shoes.
- Your watch
Make sure that your shirt, coat, and pants are clean and pressed. Being clean shaven, with neatly trimmed nose and ear hair will help you. Keep your hair cut as if you were going on an interview for a corporate executive job.
For women the expectation is a nice blouse and skirt or nice pants. And people usually look at these extra items:
- Your Make-up.
- Your shoes.
- Your watch and other jewelry.
Be conservative in your dress, make-up and hair. Being over dressed or wearing too much make-up sends a message that this business takes a lot of extra time and money to build. You want other ladies to feel like they can easily prepare for a business presentation.
There are two very important things to remember about being dressed for success.
- It’s not a fashion show, and
- Everything you do, must be duplcatable.
One major caution for women, don’t wear dresses or blouses that are too revealing. This distracts men who are in the meeting, and will make many other women feel like they have to copy this look in order to build the business, and many will not want to have to do this.
Remember, simple is better than extravagant, and that people need to believe they can do what you are doing, including how you dress and keep your appearance.
