The POWER Of the First Impression

Does Your Card Get Thrown Out, Left In A Suit Pocket, or Put In My Outlook

In a recent *Special Report* focused on the small business owner, offered by a partner of mine Adam J. Davis, he asked a great question "Business or Hobby?". To receive the whole report CLICK HERE. In the report Adam wrote about how to get your small business going in less than 14 days. I want to talk about making sure that you look and act the part of a successful entrepreneur.

Let's start with your look;

The general dress code guidelines for men during business hours, which seems to be 6:00 a.m. to Midnight, are suits in navy blue, charcoal gray, or black. Usually, the darker the suit, the more authority it carries. A two piece suit is acceptable as is a three button single breasted jacket. What matters most is that the suit fits well and it is good quality. The pants should fit comfortably at the waist and a slimmer fit is preferred. There should only be a slight break where the trouser hits the shoe. If your ankles are showing, they are way too short (floods).

Under a suit jacket, long sleeve shirts are a must. The higher the cotton content, the better the shirt will look. Make sure your shirt fits the neck properly and that the sleeve cuff ends just at the wrist. All your business clothes should be professionally cleaned and pressed and ready to go.

Ties that are cheap looking do not give off a good first impression. A pure silk tie makes the most powerful professional impact, has the best finish and feel, and is easiest to tie well. The tie should complement your suit, not match it. No outlandish, flamboyant ties are necessary. The length of the tie should be extended to the center of you belt buckle.

Shoes should be brown or black leather. No other materials or colors are acceptable. Socks should complement the suit, blue, black, gray, or brown. They should either match your shoes or pants.

Men’s jewelry should be kept to a minimum. No visible body piercing or tattoos -if you can help it.

When you meet someone, you may not be aware of this but they are observing your body language, very carefully. Your body language says a lot about yourself, so you need to control negative body movements and encourage positive body movements and habits. Humans naturally send and receive nonverbal communication; they have been doing so since the beginning of time.

The Handshake: your hands should be clean and well manicured, and free of perspiration. You want to allow the interviewer to initiate the handshake, which should match the interviewer in firmness, do not give a firmer handshake than them. Smile at the interviewer and look them in the eyes. It should last between two to five seconds. When departing the interview, the handshake may last longer, smile and lean forward as you shake.

Here are a few things you will want to avoid at an interview:

Clasping your hands behind your head
Adjusting your tie constantly
Slouching in your chair
Pulling your collar away
Picking at your face or outfit
Tight smiles or tension in face
Little eye contact
Wrinkling your eyebrows
Rapidly nodding your head
Any nervous tics
Crossing your ankles - means withholding information
Crossing your legs away from the interviewer- toward is ok Crossing one ankle over the other knee
Crossing your interviewers personal space
Avoid grinning idiotically
Gnawing on one’s lips absentmindedly
“Faking” a cough during a tough question
Folding or crossing your arms
Avoid compulsive jabbing the floor or desk with your foot
Loud, obnoxious laughter

The garbage listed above will ensure a lack of respect for you by others. Meeting people and networking is a large part of my business as founder of The REIA of Macomb and

Wealth In REI. How would it look to members of these clubs if I came to the events and got onstage in jeans and a Detroit Tigers t-shirt. Some guys out there on T.V. especially can do this, after years and years of branding themselves. I was taught at a very young age, because I was 19 years old when I entered the business world and was giving advice to 50 year olds on how to spend their money, that a professional look and attitude will take a lot of "age" out of it.

Thanks to Michigan real estate investing and Metro Detroit's staggering bank owned reo's I have been able to go prematurely gray. It's not that I don't love what I do, it's just that there is a lot going on up there in my mind 19 hours a day. If gray hair isn't in your immediate future than put on a blue suit, nice tie, polished shoes, and go out there and start Making It Happen.

Dylan Tanaka

http://www.reiaofmacomb.com/

http://www.oaklandbusinessforum.com/

http://www.successinrei.com/

http://www.weoffertoday.com/

http://www.prettymihomes.com/

http://www.dylantanaka.com/

So You Think Your An Entrepreneur? part 2

More Reasons That You're A Salesperson

As I said in my first column, like it or not we are all salespeople. Our lives are made up of a series of “sales presentations”, otherwise known as presenting ourself in the best light possible. Whether we’re out for a job interview, trying for a raise, or just convincing a seller that you need more concessions – you are making a presentation.

The mental state of the successful entrepreneur must be in-line with the message. If you don’t believe that, try giving a pump up your sales force when you’re depressed – it won’t work! You must be aware of and manage your own mental state and that of your listeners or communication channels will not be open. I don’t have space to elaborate on methods of doing this, but here are a few key hints. First, “AAI” – Act As If. Act the way you want to feel, it’s amazing how this works. Use music to set the mood if necessary, dress the part, and reduce your anxiety by whatever method works for you. Remember that you’re the one in charge, and presentation mastery isn’t about being perfect – it’s about achieving your objective.

As co-founder of The REIA of Macomb, Michigan's Premier Real Estate Investor Association the following paragraph comes from personal experience. Fear of public speaking ranks high on most people’s list of worst fears. You may find you’re unusually nervous, develop poor voice tone or negative body language, and be unable to respond to audience feedback. Controlling your anxiety lets you to focus on your audience and their needs. The basic approach to do this is the asking ourselves a list of “what if?” questions. Another way to overcome our fear is to take ownership of the situation. Rehearse, rehearse, rehearse. Double check your notes, and prepare yourself.

Know Your Audience. Whether it is one person or many that you are presenting to you must do three basic things: Meet their needs, reduce tension, and avoid mistakes. A good knowledge of the listeners will give you a chance to tailor your objectives to meet their needs. This also allows you to reduce the “audience-presenter” tension so they will focus on what you’re saying. With a clear knowledge of your audience’s views you’ll be sensitive to potential “hot buttons”.

Engage your audience whenever possible. Boring listeners leads to missed objectives or total failure. You must be flexible and responsive to your audience. To do this you need to use techniques that will give you audience feedback; you must diagnose the cause of the problem you’re addressing, and finally you must choose the solution to act upon.

When you’re presenting watch for non-verbal behavior such as clock-watching, foot-tapping, and cat-napping. When any of these are present get some feedback with, “Is it too warm in here?” or “Should I pick up the pace?” That breaks the attention or lack of, of the audience and brings them back to your talk. One important thing to remember is that the mind can absorb no more than the seat can endure. Sometimes a simple thing like taking a short stretch break will solve the problem.

..........................(How would you like to feel like this guy?)


If you focus on your objective and make sure that your audience is interested, you will undoubtedly achieve higher success in sales.


Dylan Tanaka
http://www.reiaofmacomb.com/
http://www.oaklandbusinessforum.com/
http://www.successinrei.com/
http://www.weoffertoday.com/
http://www.prettymihomes.com/
http://www.dylantanaka.com/