Read ANY business book
Go to ANY business seminar
Talk to ANY successful businessman (as in..man..mankind? women included.)
And they will tell you one thing....that first impressions are very, very (did I say very?) important.
Studies have shown that an impression is made about a person/product/thing within the first 5 seconds of interaction. Once that is done, changing that becomes an utter pain in the arse.
Forget what they say about not 'judging a book by its cover'. Fact is that they do. Yes, they simply do. I believe everyone (including you and me) is guilty of this. This is also why stereo-types exist...because more often than not, they are true!
For those who argue that there are exceptions to the rule, you're right as well. However, notice the keyword here : - *exception*. It means that even though they exist, there are the minority.
So, apart from finding niches to start businesses in, when you start a business and want to make big money, do you cater to the minority or the majority. The majority right?
It's like why Mcdonalds makes a lot of money even though their burgers are average while some establishments, with the perfectly orgasmic burger, seldom make it big. It's because they cater to the majority. $2.50 from 100 people or $5 from 10?
Anyways...
Now that we'av established that first impressions count, it is important to realise that, even when cutting costs and/or maintaining low overheads, for things that are used to represent your business (ie. namecards, brochures and websites), it is best to keep them, well, presentable.
In fact, many business people have told me that one of the easiest ways to overcome the stigma that people have when dealing with new start-ups is to have very good presentation kits. This works especially well when meeting investors for your potential business.
So, you might have a photocopier that has changed 5 owners in 3 different continents and have a computer that has been handed down from your grandma, but when it comes to designing your documents and namecards, do spend a little bit more. Within your means of course.
Some key tips:
1. Design based on your industry, ie. crayon sketches for your next generation insurance company = bad.
Go to ANY business seminar
Talk to ANY successful businessman (as in..man..mankind? women included.)
And they will tell you one thing....that first impressions are very, very (did I say very?) important.
Studies have shown that an impression is made about a person/product/thing within the first 5 seconds of interaction. Once that is done, changing that becomes an utter pain in the arse.
Forget what they say about not 'judging a book by its cover'. Fact is that they do. Yes, they simply do. I believe everyone (including you and me) is guilty of this. This is also why stereo-types exist...because more often than not, they are true!
For those who argue that there are exceptions to the rule, you're right as well. However, notice the keyword here : - *exception*. It means that even though they exist, there are the minority.
So, apart from finding niches to start businesses in, when you start a business and want to make big money, do you cater to the minority or the majority. The majority right?
It's like why Mcdonalds makes a lot of money even though their burgers are average while some establishments, with the perfectly orgasmic burger, seldom make it big. It's because they cater to the majority. $2.50 from 100 people or $5 from 10?
Anyways...
Now that we'av established that first impressions count, it is important to realise that, even when cutting costs and/or maintaining low overheads, for things that are used to represent your business (ie. namecards, brochures and websites), it is best to keep them, well, presentable.
In fact, many business people have told me that one of the easiest ways to overcome the stigma that people have when dealing with new start-ups is to have very good presentation kits. This works especially well when meeting investors for your potential business.
So, you might have a photocopier that has changed 5 owners in 3 different continents and have a computer that has been handed down from your grandma, but when it comes to designing your documents and namecards, do spend a little bit more. Within your means of course.
Some key tips:
1. Design based on your industry, ie. crayon sketches for your next generation insurance company = bad.
2. Printouts should be on good quality semi-glossy paper (Glossy's plain irritating)
3. COLOUR printouts.
4. Absolutely avoid black and white photocopies. They are only meant for non-marketing documents (ie. contracts, terms and conditions).
5. Unless design demands it, use sans-serif fonts (ie. arial), especially for power point presentations. (sans-serif fonts are easier on the eyes, compared to serif fonts like times new roman).
6. Bind your booklets/brochures. Clutter = bad.
7. K.I.S.S - Keep It Simple, Stupid.
Oh, right, if you have an office, it's ok to get new equipment (with regards to getting 2nd hand stuff) , mainly for presentations sake. Keep all the zombie items out of the customers' sight! Go ahead and get a new set of LCD monitor and keyboard+mouse while the rotting computer's under the desk ;-)
Brands are actually quite important as well. Just get something reputable for a start.
Alright, that was for non living items.
On to the presentation of the squishy being...you. (fine..and me..)
The same basic rules apply for our exterior...things like:
1. Be Neat
2. Don't smell funky, smell nice
3. Dress for the occasion (business suits for the artists convention? hmm)
4. Don't overdo it. It's not a dressing competition.
Other things to take note of are:
1. Posture Posture Posture!
A good posture denotes confidance, ability and social standing. I've gotten away with terrible dressing because (I'm proud to say) of my good posture. Unless you're born with a handicap, you should be standing upright, shoulders back, stomachs in and chest out (I believe its the same for the ladies) and be relaxed while doing so.
2. Eye Contact
No..not stare. Jeez. Eye contact also represents confidance. A trick I learnt is to look at the person's right eye (on your left while you look at him/her) while talking. I can't remember the where I learnt it from or how it works, but this simple act makes them more comfortable with you without knowing why. It's supposed to help you give them that 'twinkle' in your eye as well.
As Drew Stevens, Ph.D., author of Presentation with Muscle, says, " I don't want anybody to think of me a sole-proprietor--a one-stop-shop business that's only doing $50,000 to $100,000 a year. I want them to think I'm a $100 or $200 million company."
So, First impression count.
Sorry for the long article, had lots to cover!
