Whether it’s a one-on-one meeting, a press event, a conference or otherwise, a business owner should always think about how they present themselves and how it reflects on their business. People are going to judge your business based on the impression that you make. For that reason, here are a few tips to help you represent it as best as possible.
Know how to dress
It might seem shallow, but you should treat it as a given that people are going to judge you based on your appearance. The tech bro stereotype of t-shirt and jeans is rarely worn by even tech bros, anymore. Work on developing a professional sense of style, making sure that you’re dressing appropriately for different events. The people you do business with want to see that you can be trusted to be professional, and your dress is part of that.
Work on your people skills
It’s not just about how you look, by any means. Being able to talk the talk is just as important as walking the walk. You can be confident, assertive, and compelling, but if you lack the etiquette or good manners necessary in conversation, you’re still going to leave a bad impression. The “aloof entrepreneur” angle works on very few people. You need to develop your people skills if you feel like you have made a few bad impressions in the past.
Arrive in style
How you arrive at your meetings and events is very important. There are both practical and aesthetic benefits to corporate transportation. On the practical side, it’s a reliable way to make sure that you arrive on time and without issue as best as possible. Aesthetically, the vehicle you arrive in is much like the clothes that you wear. A little investment can communicate professionalism, success, and prestige.
Stay sharp
As the business owner, you are naturally expected to know what you’re talking about at all times. When it comes to both the specifics of your products and services or the wider industry news in general, make sure that you’re informed. It can help to make sure that you’re signed up for industry newsletters that you read in your downtime. Of course, staying up to date is going to help your business, too.
A.B.S. (except when it’s inappropriate)
Always be selling. Don’t miss opportunities to slip in a sentence or two about how your products or services might be a potential solution for a concern you might be talking about. Don’t be afraid to be bold in selling your expertise. Just make sure that you know the lines of propriety. If someone’s talking about personal news or problems, that’s not the time to interject with a sales pitch.
If you own a business, then you have to learn that everything you do in public is going to reflect on the brand of your business. Aside from avoiding any snafus, you can use this to make sure that you’re doing your part to elevate that brand.
