First Impression in Business

It is always to be remembered “first impression is the best impression”. First impression creates an indelible mark on a person’s mind. I always judge any painting, furniture or even any dress on how I feel when I look at it for the first time. This also applies to a person you meet for the first time.

In business it is very important to create a good first impression of your product or your company or even yourself. Your dress, your manners, your behavior will all have effect on the impression you create in the minds of your colleagues or employees. You have to set an example for others to follow. Your manners, behavior, attire, your business card, your briefcase are all a part the impression you create.

Your conversational skills, particularly your listening skills make a strong impression of yourself. We all know about the boring person who clutches your sleeve to catch your attention. He is the person to be avoided at all costs. Cultivate a soft, well modulated voice.

You have to keep an eye contact with the person you are talking to. A joke is always a good icebreaker. Bob Hope said that it takes a lot of effort to be funny. It definitely is worth the effort. People who are light hearted and funny are always sought after. You should never make any denigrating or sarcastic comments about other people. Never ever get into an argument with a person; you have met for the first time.

Your appearance is also of great importance. I believe in the kind of attention to detail in paid in the armed forces. They insist that each and every part of your uniform, whether it is shoes, belt or buckle has to be immaculate. The goes a long way in creating that good first impression.

Your choice of words and the way you convey them should create a very good impression of your culture, education and upbringing.