You are attending a business meeting with a few business associates. In walks a woman whom you've never seen before. As she begins her presentation, you think,"Wow. She's really got it together. She's got this thing nailed down to the floor." What do you see? How do you feel?
As you know first impressions are worth millions. Without even actually knowing someone, you can gather a great deal of information about them: whether they're confident or not, if they take themselves seriously, if they know what they want, if they are responsible, or whether they're happy. Of course, appearance says a lot, but it's not just about what's on the surface of an individual that matters. Looks can be deceiving, so body language can play a huge role in turning a prospect into a client. Now if you have your superficial act together, then your body language should match. For instance, would you take someone seriously that has all the confidence in the world, but looks like a bum? Not on your life.
In the business world, body language is tantamount to your success. What you are saying must be congruent with the picture you are showing, and role you are playing. Many of us forget, potential clients and business partners are looking for this. So therefore you must be congruent, that is you must know what you want, be confident in yourself and what you do, as well as take yourself seriously. This includes looking your best, and staying fit as it exhibits that you care about your well being. This is translated as being concerned about the welfare of others. A client thinks, "If they take care of themselves, then they probably care about their business." This means clients and customers. It is important to realize that your clients and business partners are always making connections about you. They are trying to draw rational conclusions about whether they should trust your business.
The brain is our internal switchboard; it's also our central control. It sorts and applies information about incoming stimuli to decision-making. In many instances, people don't have any memory to recall upon when making decisions about others. For the most part, the entrepreneur/customer relationship is much the same way. This is especially true when first making contact. The brain works almost frantically sizing up people and situations from a very small amount of information. Although this prospect seems daunting from an entrepreneurial aspect, it's actually just the opposite. This is your time to shine for the spotlight is upon you.
Three Important Pointers:
1. Eye Contact is Essential: Look at whomever you are addressing square in the eye. This is how you are connecting from a visual standpoint. Most importantly, it says that you are firm in your position and have nothing to hide. "I'm an open book." It also is an indicator that you are paying attention to what someone is saying to you.
2. Smile. Be Energetic and Upbeat. This says that you are happy with what you do. It also says, "If you find out more about me, you will be happy too." Yes, people are firm believers that happiness is catching.
3. Don't Slouch. How many times have you heard this growing up? This says you are confident and proficient. Slouching and poor posture is often associated with laziness and irresponsibility.
Being your own boss, and the queen of your empire requires you to think as your clients and business partners do. In other words, instead of looking at yourself face on as in a mirror, view yourself from another perspective---from over there.
Copyright (c) 2008 Aunice Reed
Article Source: http://www.orbitaloc.com/
Increase Your Entrepreneural Success. Visit: www.myunlimitedsuccess.com Aunice Reed is a Professional Success Coach and NLP Master for Women. Visit Her Blog: www.womensspecialtygroup.typepad.com
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