Rethinking Talbots

Who knew Talbots was about to go under? I haven’t shopped there in years, so I guess it shouldn’t be a surprise to find out the company spent last year atop the retail death-watch list! Talbots had to take a long hard look at themselves and determined what needed to be done to boost sales and stage a comeback. What they found was a need to do a complete merchandise and image overhaul to attract younger customers. Maybe that’s why I hadn’t shopped there in years! But hey, check out this image from their latest collection--looking classic AND current!

In focus groups, the company learned that women thought of Talbots as perfect for their grandmothers. How many of us may need the same wake up call to boost our image and stage our own comeback? There are many I suspect! But exactly how do we do this?

First-we need to understand the difference between a “trend” and a “fad.” A trend is defined as a current, prevailing style or fashion, the general direction in which things tend to move. A trend has staying power. And a trend may ultimately become a classic (think wrap-dress, espadrilles or animal prints.) A fad is a stand-out fashion statement that quickly becomes adopted by many people, who just as quickly become tired of it. Fads are a craze that will come and go as fast as you can purchase the latest one, so beware of fads. Remember fanny packs and stirrup pants? A trend is more long term and can help you look more relevant and current. You don’t have to invest in a whole new wardrobe to keep up with the latest trends. Something as simple as a new chunky necklace or colored tights are perfect to help you boost your image. Look through fashion magazines to keep up with the latest trends. You don’t need to run out and purchases everything you see, just stay on top of what’s happening in the fashion world.

And gentlemen, though less tempted by fads, are not immune. Grown men wearing graphic T-shirts (like the Ed Hardy shown here) is a perfect example of buying into a fad. What message does this send? We’ll let you decide that for yourself.

Second-and we have addressed this before in our blogs: Clean out your closet! Get rid of the dead weight. If you haven’t worn it in a year, chances are you will never wear it again. Get rid of it! Look at our older blogs for great ideas about what do to with your dead weight.

We’re wondering if it may be time to rethink our closets and to rethink shopping at Talbots. They are trying for a “hipper” and “younger” image and with the likes of Michelle Obama spotted in their clothes, it’s just a matter of time before that “hipper,” yet classic image takes off. Perhaps we'll help support their comeback by checking out their new offerings!

A Blatant Pitch for a Great Image Tool

So you’re getting ready in the morning, trying to figure out what to wear, and think “I’ve got nothing!” In reality, your closet is full of stuff, but today nothing is working for you. So you put on that same ole, same ole standby outfit that gets you by for another day. Sound familiar? If so, you are not alone. If you’re a woman, statistics show you only wear 20% of your wardrobe. And if you’re a guy, you are probably wearing clothes you shouldn’t be more than 50% of the time. Either way, you are losing out – either by spending too much on clothes you don’t wear or leaving the house in clothes that drag down your image. If you put a dollar figure on the loss and waste, it can be eye-popping. When I work with clients in their closets, getting out the dead wood that hasn’t been worn, I can easily tally several thousand dollars of sunk costs in garments that “don’t work” for a variety of reasons.

So what should you do? Besides airlifting me in immediately, there is another option. We are very proud to offer the most comprehensive styling program on the web. The web-active version of Your Personal Style Solutions for women, is the latest evolution of the same program we have offered in our office for years. By entering the details of your unique body, the program provides you with a precise guide to the garments and accessories that work best for you.

To quote Amy from Coca-Cola North America who just used the program this week:

"Wow! The website is amazing! Just finished the profile and I can instantly see pieces that need to disappear from my wardrobe."

So check out Your Personal Style Solutions – it is an amazingly powerful way to finally “know thyself” – at least what you should or shouldn’t be wearing.

Coming soon (like next month!) is the women’s CORPORATE version – I know this will be a great tool for the professional women who read this blog. Also, the programmers are working on the men’s online version right now. In the meantime, guys can still get the same great information through an in-person meeting with us (it costs a bit more – but you get all the results in a book format). Call or email me with any questions.

Know Thyself!

Self-awareness is the first step to image improvement. I talk a lot about “blind spots” with clients and groups. We all have blind spots – some outdated thing we wear or a word we mispronounce or some goofy way we act. If we could see our everyday selves on a reality show, we’d take immediate steps to fix these mistakes. But why hasn’t someone said anything? Well, our loved ones and friends may have tried at some time or another – and then seeing our reaction, quickly knew better. Every boyfriend and husband knows the right answer to “does this make me look fat.” Most acquaintances are too polite to comment on personal issues, even if we end up making a fool of ourselves. If my zipper’s open, please give me a sign! Something between my teeth? Quick! Let me know! It took my husband 7 years of marriage to tell me that I scrape my teeth on my fork when I eat, creating an annoying sound. I was horrified to finally learn of my etiquette faux pas – major blind spot!

The rubber really hits the road when it’s time for our job evaluation. Too often managers will give us feedback on our job performance, but are unwilling to touch our personal image issues. It’s especially tough for men evaluating their female subordinates. They usually don’t want to go anywhere near wardrobe or grooming topics – it’s uncomfortable at best and at worst can have a whiff of sexual harassment. So, how are we going to get any real feedback? Especially on those image blind spots that could be doing us serious career damage? Where can we get an objective opinion that can help us see our blind spots? Here are some ideas:

• Recruit a mentor unafraid to discuss image. So everyone needs mentors in their professional life and hopefully you are on this already. Someone that you admire professionally that’s not directly in your chain of command might be a good person to ask about how you come off – image wise. Be candid about wanting to become more self-aware.

• Mirror, mirror on the wall. Really! I’m talking about an actual full-length mirror in your house. Ideally, locate the mirror close to your bathroom and closet, so you can check your look (front, back and sides) every morning before leaving for work. Do you look like the professional you need to be to gain respect today? Change what isn’t working and go forth!

• Pay someone. OK, this one’s really self-serving, but that’s the role I play for many of my clients. An image professional is always objective, is not emotionally attached and will give you the feedback and constructive advice that you may otherwise never hear. I’ve met with some clients for just a short session and been able to pinpoint serious image issues that they could easily fix.

Next blog: A great tool for revealing your wardrobe blind spots.

Spring Joy! Wardrobe Cautions...

Spring is finally here, ladies, and after such a long winter we want to get into those warm weather clothes! I know at times this winter we wondered if our spring clothes would ever see the light of day again, but the warmth has finally arrived. I was out yesterday delivering to a client and waited in the company lobby for about 20 minutes. While waiting I was able to engage in one of my favorite activities-people watching! Whew-- the things I saw! While many women were dressed appropriately for corporate life, there were many others that definitely were not! So, as spring arrives and we want to strip off heavy layers of winter clothes, here are a few tips to ensure your image is always top notch.

• Don’t show too much skin. This is one of the quickest ways to tarnish your image. I know with the warm temperatures, the temptation to wear less (sometimes much less) is there. Be careful! I saw a woman as I waited yesterday that was wearing a wrap dress. Usually a wrap dress would be fine for the office. But not this wrap dress. It was entirely too short, too tight, and too plunging in the neckline. And to top it off, she was wearing stilettos and had a rather large tattoo on her calf. While this may be appropriate for clubbing after work, she was showing way too much skin for the office. I tried hard not to stare, but I could barely believe my eyes! Ladies-look at yourselves in the mirror (front and back) before leaving home! In the words of one of our image industry colleagues, “The more skin you show, the more opportunities you blow!” which brings us to our next skin issue…
• Do I need to wear hosiery or are bare legs OK? Well, it depends on your environment. But if you have any doubt, wear them! I know when it gets warmer outside hose are not comfortable and can be hot. So when are bare legs okay for the work environment? Never at an interview, never if you are presenting to a group, and never if your legs are pasty white, have veins, scarring, or nicks that are apparent. Nude hosiery help legs look smoother, more even in skin tone and will cover those things we don’t want to show. Bottom line, you look more professional when you cover your legs. This goes right back to the skin issue from above and the blown opportunities. And always wear closed-toe shoes in the office environment! If you want an explanation for this rule, call us. There’s a good reason!
• Always wear the appropriate undergarments. This really becomes crucial when we wear lighter weight clothes. No one wants to see our bra straps slipping out, bulges or rolls on our back or visible panty lines. The undergarment industry is huge and there are many solutions available. One of our favorites is Spanx. Visit their website to see all they offer. They have everything you need to help smooth and slim -from body shapers, bras and panties, sheer hose and tights to their new swimsuit line. These products can also take you down about half a size! Just one more reason to love Spanx!

Remembering a few basics like these will help us maintain that polished image that is so important in today’s world. So bring on the sun and warmth! We are ready!

RSVP? Why Bother!

This is not just my own pet peeve. After inappropriate public cell phone use, polls show a lack of RSVP'ing rates highly as a form of social rudeness. Companies and individuals waste money and time preparing for people who don’t show up, or alternately, end up looking ill-prepared when too many people show up that did not RSVP. How can you plan an event when you have no idea how many people will appear?

So what does RSVP mean? It most certainly does NOT mean Really Smart Vivacious People will be in attendance. It does not mean you respond only if you are not coming, or respond the day of the event, or respond and then fail to show up. Actually, RSVP is an acronym for the French phrase “repondez s’il vous plait”, or “Respond, If You Please.” It means letting your host know if you will or if you will not be attending an event. And it is done in a timely fashion, preferably upon receipt of the invitation.

Why are so many people clueless about this? Here are a few possibilities:

• Misunderstanding the RSVP concept. Some think it means to call only if you cannot attend. That would be a “Regrets Only” invitation which can be risky for the host. It’s better to ask for an RSVP and get a definite answer from each guest.


• Disregarding the deadline. We see the invitation and make up our mind to go or not, but then forget to respond by the deadline. We must learn to manage our time and our manners. We’re all busy, but making the two minute phone call or sending a quick email to RSVP is thoughtful, appreciated, and an important use of our time.


• Lack of manners and sophistication. Responding to an RSVP is a basic, common courtesy that is too often ignored in our fast-paced modern life.


• Holding out for a better offer. Ever hedge your bets on whether a better offer will come along? And postpone responding to an earlier invitation because of it? Watch out! This lack of commitment can tarnish your image.

Here are a few more points to consider about RSVP’s and your image. A person who drops in or is a no-show is making one or more of the following statements, “I am too disorganized," "I cannot plan my schedule," "I do not follow through," or "I have no appropriate knowledge of etiquette.” Reputations can and do get tainted, and people will talk. But when we do RSVP we are building rapport, reinforcing our image as etiquette-savvy individuals and send the important message that “I am considerate.” Individuals who RSVP and follow through on commitments develop a reputation as reliable and eventually outshine their competition. It may seem like a small thing, but the small things add up to big things. So when the next invitation arrives in your mailbox (or inbox these days!), take a minute and RSVP!

Signing Off with Professionalism

Remember that moment sometime in childhood when you realized that your signature was special? After seeing the bold swirls of John Hancock’s famous mark on the Declaration of Independence in 6th grade, I practiced writing my own name in dozens of ways to find the most impressive style for a life full of fame and autograph seekers.
Except for signing credit card receipts, an occasional contract, and of course the tax return, there aren’t many opportunities to leave a memorable physical signature these days. Nonetheless, each time you hit the email “send” button you have a golden opportunity to leave a positive reminder of who you are. Here are some pointers for a professional email signature:

• People need your information. I’m always surprised by the number of emails I receive with no contact information – sometimes not even a last name. For professional email correspondence, a signature should include your full name and contact phone numbers at the very least. Your official title and department name is helpful. Also include a URL pointer to your company’s website, unless you work for a large well-known organization. If you don’t already know how, learn how to create a signature that automatically appears on each outgoing message – email programs provide the ability to easily create signature files.


• Don’t throw in the kitchen sink. While some people provide no information, the other extreme overdoes the signature feature (I commonly see this from self-employed professionals like myself). Avoid making the signature so long or so LARGE that it distracts from your message. Some information is unnecessary. I just removed my office street address from my signature when I realized that anyone could find it easily from my website (Duh!). Using the signature block to push your latest product or service or to overly tout yourself can be off-putting. So is an excessive use of tag lines and quotations.


• Don’t be too cute. Emoticons, smileys, moving animation, a picture of your dog – these personal touches scream unprofessionalism online. So do wildly colorful and fanciful fonts. A little color is great and small logo can be a great branding element, but watch out for going overboard and remember that some graphics may translate as attachments on certain email programs.


• Your signature is a constant reminder of your personal brand. It may make sense to create several signature files that vary based on the issue at hand and the tone you wish to convey. As with every other element in an email, your signature reflects you – keep it professional and thoughtfully consider its impact on your recipients.

Learn anything here? If so, you probably need to review the rest of your email skills. I recommend Net M@nners website -- it’s a great resource for improving your online image.

Thinking Strategically - Part 2

At higher levels in an organization, your personal brand must include “strategic thinker.” The last blog post introduced the concept, now let’s go a little deeper. Most people start their career dealing with the tactical in their job – solving an immediate problem, reacting to circumstances, and putting out fires when they arise. As you climb to higher positions, your view of issues must likewise reach a higher perspective, allowing you to see beyond tactical responses to the strategic issues at play.

If you’ve heard the phrase "Fire, Ready, Aim" you know what it’s like to work in a tactics-based environment. Compare it to the following: you’ve been feeling sick for several weeks. You go to the store and troll the aisles for the right medications to make you feel better – something to control your cough, dry up your nose, and relieve your headache. All tactical moves – you are only treating the symptoms of your sickness. You get temporary relief and can go on with your day. But your sickness persists. So you start to think strategically – Why are you sick? What are the causes? You eat junk, you’re overly stressed, and you don’t get any exercise. So you start modifying your behavior to take better care of yourself. Things improve, but not completely because your cough persists. More strategic thinking – could there be something about your environment that’s making you sick? You have your house checked and discover mold growing in the ductwork because of a small roof leak. Now, you can take action to fix the problem and you are healthy again. A tactical response to symptoms could never have made you well – strategic thinking did it.

So what about at work? Tactical responses can be relatively simple and quick. Have a problem? Fix it. Take a pill. Git’er done. Strategic thinking is more complex – it takes time, it takes examination, it takes tolerance of uncertainty. It means considering how variables link together in different scenarios and making risk assumptions. Not everyone is naturally good at this, but you can take some steps to get there. Here are some more ideas to add to the previous blog:

Don’t be put off by the lingo. OK, I’ll be the first to tell you that an excessive use of business buzz words comes across as arrogant and obnoxious. However, it doesn’t hurt to have an awareness of strategy lingo and toss it into your speech when appropriate. Words like co-evolution, value migration, and synergy manager might have perfectly simple English translations, but if their usage is in vogue, we’d better learn the lexicon lest we not sound “strategic.”

Test your strategy muscle. An effective way to develop strategic competence is to participate in or volunteer for a special strategic project within your own area that’s just outside of your current role and responsibility. Look for opportunities that require a fresh approach and involve people from various functions and disciplines.

Vounteer. Civic groups, non-profits, community boards and advisory panels always need professionals to help with long-range planning, mission or vision creation. This is a great opportunity to test your leadership without the risks of an on-the-job assignment.

Remember what Thomas Edison said, “There’s a way to do it better – find it“ In business, strategic thinking will help you find it!