Displaying Personal Energy

As a leader in your company or organization, it is vitally important that you demonstrate and sustain personal energy. Why is this so important? What are the steps to take to ensure you constantly project personal energy? Watch Kathryn's latest video blog for all the answers! We would love to hear your feedback.

Happy New Year!

It’s that time of year once again when we are determined to make meaningful New Year’s resolutions that will make us happier, healthier and more productive. Here are some things you may want to consider when making your own New Year’s resolutions.

• Is your resume up to date? Now is the time to review and refresh your resume. This doesn’t need to be hard or painful. A little work in this area could pay off big for you later this year. Reflect on your recent accomplishments and add them to your resume. There are numerous sites online full of tips and that can help you get started. One example can be found at Monster.com. This could be the year that a new opportunity presents itself and you need to be prepared with that resume.
• Is your wardrobe current and relevant? You have heard it before -- dress for the job you want, not the job you have. It may be time for a closet cleanout and audit to get rid of the dead weight and to identify holes in your wardrobe. We did a blog on this topic awhile back to help with this chore. See our tips here. You can also make some money from your cast offs. Here’s another previous blog with some suggestions. See it here. If you still don’t know where to start or just need some advice to figure it all out, give us a call! We can help get your closet cleaned out, organized, and ready for the new year!
• What is one small thing you can do to improve your health? Here are a few very simple suggestions. 1) If you drink soda, switch to diet. By cutting your total calorie consumptions, and replacing your regular soda with diet soda, you are bound to lose a few pounds with minimum effort. Better yet-just switch to water! 2) Choose to park at the back of the parking lot and walk. A little extra exercise will burn more calories with a minimum of effort. 3) Make and keep doctors’ appointments. Get a physical and any other screenings you may need. Don’t ignore your body when something seems wrong. Your health should be a top priority!
• Are you networking for maximum potential? There’s a lot that goes into networking, but there’s one simple action you can do to get noticed. Hand write a personal note to let people know you appreciate them or to thank them for something they have done. Put together your own note writing kit with the items you will need such as nice stationary or note cards, a good pen and postage stamps. If your supplies are handy, you will be more likely to grab them and write that note. In today’s world of emails, texts and Facebook a hand written note says you care even more.
  

We hope this is helpful in making this the best New Year ever!

An Image Christmas List

For the most part, and within my means, I buy what I want when I want it. It's one of the few benefits of adulthood vs. childhood.  But at Christmastime, this fact becomes a problem for family members who want to give me a present. They become annoyed when I say "there's nothing that I really want or need!"  If you can relate to this, then you know it's important to think of gift ideas so our family can feel good about getting us something relevant. Here are a few items that will be easy for your loved ones to manage (little or no sizing required) and will boost your professional image at the same time.

• A New Phone Cover - The condition of your accessories is a reflection of you. We use our phones so often and may not notice how worn or scratched the cover may be looking. A sleek leather or metal case makes a great impression while it protects your phone from wear and tear. Here are some great ideas for new cases. 

• A Fine Leather Belt- The ubiquitous calf skin leather belt is what most men find in department stores. Here's an opportunity to upgrade to the next level with an exotic skin belt. Lizard, alligator and crocodile belts, with their interesting textures come with a hefty price, but also make a statement that is both classic and fashionable.

• Shoe Shine Kit - Gentlemen, unless you have a personal valet or access to a traditional shoeshine stand, you must maintain your own shoes.  Basic kits are readily available online -- why not ask for shoe trees as well so your dress shoes will keep their shape and last for years.

• A Leather Folio - You run to meetings all day, so look organized and classy at the same time with a fine leather folio for notes and documents.

• Diamond Earrings Studs for Women- Although I personally don't own real diamonds (can't go there after seeing the movie Blood Diamond), there's no doubt that those shiny stones (real or fake) make a great accessory, are always in style and provide that bit of light around the face.

• Detail My Car - Your vehicle is an extention of your image, but you're probably too busy to do much more than run through the car wash. This is a great gift for kids to provide -- let them get into the vents with a Q-tip and toothbrush. Then feel confident offering to drive your work colleagues to lunch!

• A Garment Steamer - The Jiffy Steamer is the best way to keep your clothes wrinkle free and save $$ at the dry cleaners.  Our #1 pick for clients -- see details at their website.

Looks professional for under $200.

• A Professional Watch - Professionals need an analog (not digital) watch -- you know, with hands that move around a face. Think sleek, not chunky. Look for a fine leather or metal band -- it's possible to spend thousands here, but you can get the same look for much less as well!

Image Matters wishes you a wonderful Christmas and a New Year full of  personal and professional success!

Holiday Tips for the Professional

Does going to the company Christmas party stress you out? Or maybe you are the spouse who must go to the party not knowing anyone. Should you take a hostess gift? Kathryn has all the answers! Watch our newest video blog on holiday tips for the professional. We would love to hear feedback from you!

All Hail Paul Ekman!

I am continually studying the power of non-verbal communication – both for my own sake and for that of my clients. If you are not aware of your own body language, you’re probably not in control of what you are really communicating! So there’s rarely a client of mine that doesn’t get coaching in this aspect of their presence. Through the study of body language, not only can we learn how to portray ourselves as confident, powerful, thoughtful professionals (even if we’re not!), but we can also have a deeper understanding of the people around us. A good body language reader can almost seem like a mind reader – and that’s powerful insight in a business setting!

When it comes to body language, most people immediately think about the basics – crossing arms indicates you’re closed, clenched fists indicate anger, etc. The basics are important and extremely useful to understand and control. But if you really want to advance your body language reading ability, get to know the work of Paul Ekman, the genius psychologist who pioneered the study of emotions and how it relates to facial expressions. (As an aside, the Fox TV show “Lie to Me” is based on Paul Ekman’s work.)

Ekman’s study of the isolated South Fore tribesmen of Papua New Guinea led him to understand that certain emotions are basic to all humans and universally identifiable in facial expressions. These are Anger, Disgust, Fear, Happiness, Sadness, Surprise, and Contempt. His further research identified “microexpressions” or fleeting emotional signals that last for only a fraction of a second, and unlike basic body language, are nearly impossible to control. Therefore, being able to spot and identify these brief flashes of emotion can give us an edge in business and relationships. Want to see if you’re a “natural” in identifying microexpressions? Check out this test. Try it without freezing the image. Let me know your score – I only missed two…

Ekman not only developed the Facial Action Coding System (FACS) which categorizes every conceivable human facial expression, but has researched and published widely on all aspects of non-verbal communication as well as specializing in deception and lie detection. If you are really serious about this area, you can even get specific training on Ekman's website – obviously useful for law enforcement professionals and the like.

Start focusing on what people are saying with their bodies, faces and gestures-- you’ll be surprised at how much information is not verbalized!

Man Up to Aging!



Mark Harmon -- Aging well at 59

Most of our female clients are eager to hear advice on looking younger. There’s no doubt that a healthy, vigorous appearance is a big plus for maintaining a strong personal image. And this means paying attention to your weight, the condition of your skin and your hair as well as wearing clothes that don’t “date” you. While women are generally tuned-in to this topic, many of our male clients need to think more about the steps they can take to combat aging. So gentlemen, here are some quick tips you can take this weekend to tune-up.

• Touch of Grey? A little grey hair on a man looks distinguished, right? But there comes a point when grey hair is just aging. If you think you’ve hit that point, an excellent product to use is Touch of Grey. It’s easy to use – takes only a few minutes and you can control the results with additional applications. We like that it still leaves some grey behind so it never looks like a radical change. Most people won’t notice anything specific -- they’ll just think you look better! Please note: Don’t mistake this product for the “Just for Men” hair product – same company, but that that one will take out all your grey. Remember, you want Touch of Grey!

• Skin Deep. Think a skin “regimen” is just for women? Think again. A daily routine should include at least the following: 1) A good cleanser (not bar soap). We recommend BC Mens Skincare Set which takes care of exfoliation as well as getting the crud off. 2) Anti-aging products to help firm up, reduce the age spots, and balance oily and dry areas. If you are 40+, we recommend this kit.Yes, it’s expensive, but used as directed (sparingly), you’ll notice great improvement in your skin.

• Protect what you’ve done. Once you’ve gotten your skin in shape, don’t risk more damage. For sun protection, wear a brimmed hat and a good sunscreen. The best sunscreen for the face is Regeneration Advanced C Protection Creme which not only has the SPF you need, but more anti-aging ingredients! Put some on the tips of your ears – a common skin cancer spot for men!

• Manscaping. Even though you’re 30+, you haven’t stopped growing! Have you noticed some heretofore unseen hair sprouting from your ears, nose and a few wild hairs developing in your eyebrows? Well, more and more will likely appear, so get ready to weedwhack! Your barber will take care of your eyebrows if you ask, but the nose and ears you may need to work on yourself. Don’t use scissors – too risky! Invest in a nose and ear hair trimmer like the Panasonic model for $28.99 on Amazon. Features to look for – an integrated light so you don’t miss anything and a unit that’s immersible so water’s not a problem.

OK, take a look in the mirror and get to work on these easy ways to stop the aging clock! Feel free to ask us any questions!

How Do You Do?

Have you ever been out with friends who run into someone they know, but you are not introduced?  You stand awkwardly not really included in the conversation because you don't know the other person. Or have you ever been at a business function with someone where others know each other, but no one introduces you? Why do we sometimes forget or avoid this social grace? Maybe something that seems so simple is not. Learning the fundamentals for introducing yourself and others will help you feel more secure in social and business situations and you will appear more polished. It’s really not so hard! So, let’s review the basics…

• When you’re the introducer: Don’t leave people out there hanging when they don’t know everyone present! Put everyone at ease and make those introductions! When doing so, remember two things. First, state their full name-first and last. Second, offer snippets of information about the people you’re introducing (their professions, or how you know them). This helps put the person in context and provides an opening for conversation with others present.

• Who’s introduced to whom? Today it is rank, not gender, that determines who’s presented to whom. The more “important” person “receives” the other person, such as “Mr. Big Boss, this is Sally Jones, our music assistant.” Importance can be defined by job level, age, experience, or degree of public recognition. Remember; mention the “important” person’s name first.

• When you are introduced: If the introducer forgets your name, come to their rescue, extend your hand and introduce yourself. If you have already met the person to whom you’re being introduced and they don’t remember you, just quickly remind them where you met. There’s no reason to feel awkward, just smile, put out your hand and state your name.

• Introducing yourself: When you find yourself at a function and no one introduces you, jump right in, extend your hand and state your name. Say “I don’t believe we’ve met. I’m Mary Smith from Hill and Dell.” Be sure to state both your names.

• Concerning names: For many people, names go in one ear and out the other during introductions. Try to put the focus on the other person and listen closely to the name, repeat it in your greeting and then visualize how it would look written down. If you suffer a memory loss with someone you’ve met before, don’t be ashamed to admit it. Be honest and calm: “I’m so sorry, I remember meeting you, but I simply can’t recall your name.” If you remember anything at all about the person or a previous conversation, bring it up.

Whether introducing yourself or being introduced by others, smile and stay relaxed. A warm smile, eye contact, a firm handshake, and sincere greeting are essential to a successful first meeting. Remembering these basics of introductions will put others at ease and you will reap the benefits of social graciousness. Go forth and introduce!