When you walk into a business function where you don’t know anyone what do you do and who do you decide to talk to first? We all attend many functions, conferences, and advanced courses to enhance our skills, promote our businesses, products, and services, or to find a job or change careers.
Everything is changing so fast that we can’t afford to rest on our laurels and wait for business to come to us.
We are all ambassadors for what we do and whom we represent. Yes, we have social networks and can spend most of our time at the computer promoting whatever we have to promote, however face to face is the most effective way to get steady business.
It is critical to meet a variety people and increase the visibility of our business as one that has value and integrity. We never know where business will come from or where it will lead.
Here are some tips on how to dress and act appropriately at a business function so that that people will want to approach and talk to you, and then work with you.
Dress appropriately. If the function is casual at a resort in the afternoon and you know they will be wearing sporty clothes and sandals, don’t show up in club attire. If the function is an evening affair at a posh hotel wear a suit, dress or something more formal, not a pair of jeans with a leather jacket.
True story: A woman attended a business function on board a yacht wearing 4″ high heels. She had to take off her shoes to walk up the ramp. What was she thinking? When someone is inappropriately dressed it gives the impression that they do not make good decisions, or that they will do whatever they like regardless of the consequences.
Know the culture you’re walking into and present yourself in a way that shows that you understand it. A younger organization or group will tend to dress less conservatively.
Show up well groomed and with a pleasant smile. At a function I attended recently a man smiled to reveal yellowed teeth, and he had bad breath. Work with your dentist or use whitening strips to improve your smile. Avoid garlic and similarly fragrant foods before meeting with people, and always carry breath mints, just in case.
Good posture makes an impression. Avoid slouching. Stand and sit straight, but not so straight that your back is arched. You’ll look more involved and engaged, and might even feel better.
Finally, appear calm and relaxed. I went to a mixer for attorneys where one woman was using large gestures as she talked, moving her whole body and flipping her hair. Several of the people I talked to at the event said that she appeared to be on a caffeine high, and that she was exhausting to be around. I doubt that was the impression she intended to make.
Visual Presence is all about representing yourself well as an ambassador for your company, the company you work for, or the job you are trying to get. It opens doors to more opportunities and sets the stage for you to be a more effective leader.
We hope these tips open more doors and opportunities for you.
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