Tag Archives: business

Blog, Business casual, Business Dress, Casual dress, Colour, Dress for Success, Professional business attire, Professional Business Image

Why Wear Navy this Spring?

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This Spring Navy is overtaking Black as a neutral Colour to wear for casual, dressy and business activities.  Here are 4 great reasons to wear Navy:

  1. Navy is an easy colour to wear. Most people look great in at least one version of Navy.
  2. Navy say’s, “success” – making it one of the best colours for business. Why?? Psychologically blue is trustworthy colour. When darkened to Navy it inspires confidence and commands attention.
  3. Navy brings out most eye colours. Navy harmonizes with blue in your eyes, making you appear approachable and friendly. It also draws attention to most eye colours either as a contrasting or harmonizing colour.
  4. It’s here! It’s there! It’s everywhere! Making it modern for every occasion.
Blog, Email Etiquette, Etiquette, Men, Women

When Email Isn’t Enough by Kimberly Law, AICI CIP

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For centuries, handwritten letters delivered by messengers or post were the only form of written correspondence. Over time typewriters became the norm, but the delivery system remained the same. Now with the explosion of email we are able to correspond at lightning speed. Even though it is fast and easy, there are times when electronics just won’t do.

Thank You

If you are given a gift, are the recipient of a favour, have received excellent service or have been interviewed for a job, send a thank you as soon as possible. Even though email is a fast and easy way to say thank you, a hand written thank you note, letter, or card shows you have taken the time to put it in writing and will come across more sincere.

Sympathy

Sympathy is not the right time for email. If you are close to someone whose family member has died, send a handwritten sympathy letter or card as soon as you hear the news. If you learn about the death of someone who is connected to you in some way, the card or letter is sent to the person you know the best.

Apology

When you have hurt someone’s feelings, pick up the phone or apologise face-to-face. For an extra nice gesture follow up with a handwritten note.

Email definitely has its place. It is fast; it is easy; but in some situations a call or handwritten note is more effective. Before going to your computer, take the time to consider the purpose and consider the person you are corresponding to.

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Blog, Business Relation, Etiquette, Men, Professional Business Image, Women

Email Signatures Add Credibility, by Kimberly Law, AICI CIP

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As a business owner, everyday I receive unsolicited emails from companies promoting their products and services. Each of these business solicitors tell me their product can make my business more successful. They provide information about how they have researched my image & etiquette consulting business ‘Personal Impact Image Management International’. And why they feel I need their help.

Although I personally don’t like to receive unsolicited email, occasionally something will arrive in my outlook inbox that looks interesting and could potentially be of value to my business.

I read through the email with great interest and then arrive at the signature line. All too often they look like this:

emailThis email signature lacks credibility. Other then the person’s name, it does not tell me anything about the person or the company they work for.

  • It does not provide a company name,
  • It does not provide the company location,
  • It does not provide a contact telephone number,
  • This person is marketing website SEO –  however there is no indication they even have a website; and
  • The email address in the email signature is a gmail account which would lead the consumer to believe this is a personal email address rather than a business email address.

The signature below provides credibility to the company. There are no secrets.

email2A good email signature should include the following information:

  • Your name,
  • Your position (if applicable),
  • Company’s name,
  • Contact telephone number,
  • Company address (if applicable),
  • Company website; and
  • Contact email address.

Providing full information provides the potential client the opportunity to research your company before contacting you. This also provides reassurance to your potential client that you, your company and the product or service you are offering are credible.

Your personal image consultant,

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Blog, Business Relation, Etiquette, Men, Networking, Women

Gift Giving at Work by Kimberly Law, Certified Image Consultant

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During the Christmas season although it may be customary to give gifts to friends and family it can be a little confusing at work. Especially when you don’t know the etiquette for gift giving and there is no written company policy.

Here are three tips to make office gift giving less awkward:images

  1. If you are new to the job, check the company policy for gift giving. Some company’s allow it and others don’t.  If office policy permits or promotes gift giving to co-workers or you are expected to play the role of secret Santa at your holiday party, stick to the limits and guidelines that have been suggested.
  2. If you have developed a friendship with a co-worker and want to give a gift that is beyond the expected, it should be given outside the work environment.
  3. Gifts for the boss are not generally expected and may be considered brown-nosing when undertaken alone. If you wish to buy your boss a gift, ask staff members to chip in for a group gift instead.

Happy Holidays!

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Business casual, Business Dress, Casual dress, Colour, Dress for Success, Make up, Make Up Tools, Professional business attire, Professional Business Image, Wardrobe, Women

How to Look Older and More Serious at Work

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I remember when I was in my 20’s and 30’s all I could think about was how to look older. It seemed that my friends and colleagues who looked older were taken more seriously… especially at work. If this is a challenge for you I would suggest the following:

Wear darker colours – Darker colours come across more mature and authoritative. By wearing them you might not look older but you will come across more experienced and will look like you know what you are talking about.

Wear make-up tastefully – For those of us women who look young, we tend to look even younger when we don’t wear make-up. Make-up will not only make you look older, but is the finishing touch in the wardrobe package. When worn tastefully, it draws attention to your face and will increase your look of authority.

Tame the mane – Big hair or long distracting hair will make you look less mature, less serious and less polished. To focus attention on your abilities rather than your hair, keep it neat and away from your face. This can be done by cutting or tying it back.

Don’t be a walking bill-board – Although we do want our clothing and accessories to appear up-to-date and current at work; we don’t want to be a walking bill-board for all of the latest in fashion styles and accessories. When choosing accessories for the workplace… less is better – less quantity; fewer details and smaller scale.

Business Relation, Men, Professional Business Image, verbal communication, Women

Use Your Company’s Image as a Personal Asset

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Have you ever wondered why some people move up the corporate ladder quickly, while others consistently get passed over for promotion? Or why certain people do so well in sales? Yes, education, talent and people skills are major factors, but image also plays a major role.

Most companies spend a lot of money each year developing and maintaining their company image. As a representative of your company it’s up to you to reinforce this image by presenting yourself in a way that’s consistent with the company brand. Let’s face it, when we meet someone for the first time, whether we like it or not, we instantly form an impression about them. If the impression matches what they are trying to communicate, we are more likely to trust them. Once trust is established, it’s easier to build rapport and strong business relationships.

Etiquette, Men, Professional Business Image, verbal communication, Women

What is Personal Image?

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I have found many dictionary definitions for the word ‘image’. But in regards to’personal image’ it really boils down to this: “Your personal image is how you are perceived by others”. Many different things go into your image such as: ‘non-verbal communication’which is your body language and the way you carry yourself and ‘visual communication’which is your personal appearance, your grooming, what you wear and how you wear it; and ‘verbal communication’ which are the words you use and how you use them;

Although the spoken word does carry weight as we develop rapport. Initially we are judged by what people see. Each time you meet someone new, they will evaluate you either consciously or subconsciously. They will notice your clothing, your hairstyle, and your accessories. They will notice how you are groomed and how you carry yourself.  Every aspect of how you appear is pieced together forming a picture or an interpretation of your image. This interpretation will lead to their comfort level about you and help them determine whether they will listen to you.

Given the choice, most of us would rather do business with someone we are comfortable with and fit’s our definition of a ‘Professional Business Image’.

Etiquette, Women

Is it Really a Bargain?

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If you’re like me and most women I know, it is really hard to resist a sale. But how many times have you purchased a garment or accessory on sale thinking you got a great deal; brought it home; hung it in your closet; and realized a year later that it was still in your closet, on the same hanger, with the tags still attached and never worn? Sound familiar?

As a certified image consultant for more than 12 years, I see this time-and-time again.

My message to you today is… if you don’t wear it, it is actually costing you money, not saving you money. And that’s money you could have used to purchase something you love and would wear.

In other words – it’s only a bargain if you wear it and love it. Don’t be seduced by the price-tag.

Business casual, Business Dress, Colour, Etiquette, Look Younger, Make up, Women

Why Use Shiny or Frosted Make-up Finishes?

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Shiny and frosted cosmetics have a similar affect to light coloured make-up. They enhance or bring out the area on which they are applied. To maximize this effect, combine the two qualities – light and shine. Light make-up colours that are frosted or shiny will make an area appear even more pronounced.  The facial feature where it is applied will appear larger and visually push out more than when applying a light matte cosmetic colour. This maximum effect will also cause the area around it to appear flat or sunken in comparison. This can work wonders to enhance the lips, cheek bones, eye lids or brow bones.

Business casual, Etiquette, Men, Women

Handshakes

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When meeting and greeting for the first time, be sincere, stick to the rules of etiquette and be sensitive to the person’s strength.

Make eye contact, smile and shake hands, repeating the person’s name in the greeting. For example:

  • “Hello Mary. It’s nice to meet you, I am …;hands
  • Or ‘It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

The most formal greeting would be

  • “How do you do, Mary, I am…” The reply to “How do you do.” is “How do you do.”

If you would like to meet someone, when approaching that person:

  1. Make eye contact and smile.
  2. Introduce yourself with your first and last name.
  3. Shake hands firmly, web to web. Lean into the handshake. Hands should be vertically parallel.  Shake hands 2-3 pumps.

This shows confidence and sincerity

Handshakes to avoid

  • The bone crusher – some people have no idea how strong their grip is.
  • The limp handshake (sometimes called the dead fish) – gives a non-confident, wishy-washy impression.
  • The power grip (when someone grips with their hand on top) – in body language this indicates that the person perceives themselves as more important or is trying to get the upper hand.
  • Gabbing the finger tips sometimes very softly-  this can be a cultural difference not unusual on some Asian cultures – in western society we prefer a web to web handshake

These handshakes are a bit too friendly for business. You may be perceived as coming on too strong. Better to be saved for friends and family.

  • 2 handed handshake (when you cup both hands around the other persons hand) – is very nurturing and friendly.
  • Keep your hands to yourself. Avoid shaking hands while holding the other persons elbow or shoulder – too friendly for business

For another way to get a grip on your handshake watch the video on Living Vancouver with host, Jaeny Baik and Kimberly Law, AICI CIP. Click on Watch the Show in the top menu and then on It’s a Living in the right column.