NO N-PRO FI T NE T WO RK 2 011 FAL L C O N FE RE NC E“NAVI GAT I N G T O SUC C E SS”FRI DAY, N OVE M B E R 4 , 20 11

DR . JAC K JO RDAN

Business and Professional Image

Introduction

Dean, Business Administration of Baker College

Former Lansing City AttorneyLitigator and General PractitionerSmall Business OwnerHusband for 27 years Father of 7 childrenTraveled half the worldRunner (ran 4 marathons…so far)33 years old…this is a joke!

Your Idea of A Professional Image?

What do you think?

Generational Differences*

Veterans, Silent or Greatest Gen, or Traditionals– born before 1946…They are very task oriented, patriotic, teamwork, and “doing more with less.”

Baby-boomers – born between 1946 to 1964…They usually place a heavy emphasis on work and successfully climbing the corporate ladder. Work is an anchor in their lives.

Gen Xers — born between 1965 and 1980…They enjoy work, but are more concerned about work-life balance.

Millennials (or Gen Yers) — Those born after 1980…They often have different priorities than their Gen X and baby-boomer counterparts. Because of their reliance on technology, they think they can work at any time and anyplace and believe they should be evaluated on work produced — not on how, when, or where they got it done. *From Decoding Generational Difference: Fact, Fiction…or should we just get back to work by W. Stanton Smith, Principal, National Director, Next Generation Initiatives Talent, Deloitte LLP (2008)

The Faces of Professional Image—Traditionals?

QualityGraceDuty

The Faces of Professional Image—Baby Boomers

Personal GratificationOptimistic Work

The Faces of Professional Image—Gen X

High job expectationsDiversiveInformalFun

The Faces of Professional Image—Millennials

Open to new ideasInnovativeIndependent

Uniformed Professionals

DecisiveLeadersBrave

Service Professionals

HardworkingDedicatedPreparedIntelligent

What is a Professional Image?

It is one’s tangible or visible representations and those perceptions resulting from a one's conduct as a professional, linked to ethical behavior and competence. (Emphasis added). Modified definition from McGraw-Hill Concise Dictionary of Modern Medicine. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

Like a brand, a strong professional image communicates a promise of quality, value, and reliability. It sets you apart from your competitors by making potential clients and referral sources aware of your unique strengths.

It’s not just about the outside but what is within each of us.

Why is Your Professional Image Important?

To look, act, and dress properly for your current position but also where you hope to be in the future

To enhance your self-confidence and a positive attitude

To reflect who you really are inside…not a cover!To master social etiquette To develop your image for professional success To allow your professional image to influence your

performance and the way others respond to youTo reflect credibility, trust, and integrity To attract others to you and your business

Did you know?

“Clothes make the man. Naked people have little or no influence on society.” ~Mark Twain

Dress to be a prospect, not a suspect.Dress for the job that you want, not the job that you

have.We are a very visional people. Every day we

consciously and unconsciously decide what and who we bring into our lives based on first impressions. Images influence our decisions from the products that we purchase through the people that we choose to be friends or do business with. Thus, it is extremely important to make your first impression count!

First Impressions

Your communication and the image you present will create that first impression - often the lasting impression - on the people you meet.

Malcolm Gladwell wrote about this in his book Blink, about how “we think without thinking about choices that seem to be made in an instant—in the blink of an eye—that actually aren’t as simple as they seem.” Managers who do a lot of interviewing know what I’m talking about.

30 Seconds to Two Minute Rule

Studies about people meeting one another initially reveals that most people (especially business people) make decisions about others within the first thirty seconds to two minutes of interaction.

Studies by Dr. Albert Mehrabian at UCLA revealed that when we try to convey meaning through our communication with others, the majority of our message is communicated nonverbally and through voice and facial expression. Approximately seven percent of the message is communicated by words.

His studies further revealed that up to 37% of a first impression is based upon the speaker's tone of voice. On the telephone, that number rises to 80% or higher, according to many communication consultants.

Professional Pointers for Attire

Here are some pointers for dressing for any type of work situation: 1. First and foremost, no matter what you wear, your clothes should be neat and clean.2. Keep your shoes in good condition.3. Your hair should be neatly styled.4. For women: makeup should be subtle.5. Nails should be clean and neat and of reasonable length.6. Dress for the job you want. If you aspire to be a manager, dress like managers in your company do.

Clothes

You don’t have to spend hundreds of dollars to look professional.

ConsignmentGarage salesSt. Vincent’sGoodwill

Professional Attitude

Professionalism is much more than simply wearing an expensive suit and meeting with the CEO of a Fortune 500 company. It is more than a state of mind or being; it is your Attitude toward work (not what you do but how you do it) and who you are! So, who are You?

16 Steps of Professional Images

Step 1: Present yourself well. Appearances DO matter.

Step 2: Be courteous in your communication. Explain things clearly and listen to others patiently.

Step 3: Be enthusiastic, cheerful and friendly…SMILE!

Step 4: Be optimistic. Uphold honor and personal integrity.

Step 5: Treat others with respect…The Golden Rule!Step 6:Make yourself worthy of other’s trust.Step 7:Relevant experience, knowledge, capability

and understanding are essential.

16 Steps cont.

Step 8:Avoid shortcuts! As far as possible, deliver more than what is expected of you.

Step 9:Aim for excellence, not mediocrity. Don’t postpone and be ready to take on challenging assignments. BE PREPARED!

Step 10:Be a confident, focused and credible employee who makes a difference to the company or your client.

Step 11:Do not shy away from personal responsibility for the outcome of your decisions or actions. Learn from your mistakes and don’t repeat them.

Step 12: Always work in the best interests of the company and client…you are a fiduciary for your employer.

Step 13:Respect for hierarchy and honesty is the key ingredient of a thorough professional.

16 Steps cont.

Step 14:Live up to your commitments and demonstrate loyalty and dedication.

Step 15:Be a team player who willingly co-operates and collaborates with others.

Step 16: Try to be a leader at your level and guide others.

Social Networking

The phenomena of social networking…all started with the first cave man on My Cave, writing on cave walls looking for a mate or wanting to share some cave space with other like-minded people.

Social Networking

Fast forward many, many years, we have My Space on the Internet…the original.

Today, we are on Facebook, Linkedin, and Twitter

Beware! The world is reading and watching including future employers…privacy??

Photos and stories can destroy your professional image!

Dress Codes

How many of you have read your company’s dress code?A dress code is a set of standards that a company

develops to provide its employees with guidelines as to what is appropriate work attire and behavior. Each company is different with formal to business casual to casual. How much contact an employee has with clients or customers usually determines the level of formal attire.

A company's objective is to enable employees to project a professional, business-like image. It is all about branding! Anytime you meet with a client/customer, you are representing your company/employer.

Telephone Communications

Land linesVoice mail messagesCell phone usageTexting

Handshakes

Firm, don’t try to crush it.If it is a couple, then shake the first person

closest to you.Men and womenMaintain good eye contact.Don’t hold the hand too long.Friendly expression.Different countries have different customs. Fist bump??Let’s do it!

Contacts Outside of the Work Setting

With friends, be mindful of what you say and do – your image is always on display.

Always wash your hands (especially with the flu bug)

Dining with clients – careful!Contacts with the opposite sex – relationships

can turn sour and damage one’s reputation.

Work Setting Dynamics

Regardless if your work setting is spacious or close quarters, you should follow some basic rules:

-Respect for one another-Communication and Confidentiality-Personal boundaries/borders-Language usage-Jokes-Gossip

One Last Thing…

Tatoos or Body ArtBody Piercing

Your Written Image

Any documentLettersBusiness cardsEmails

Your Business Card

Let’s examine them together….

Questions and Answers