Tag Archives: Kimberly Law

Position Yourself for the Business World with Personal Impact

Are you having trouble getting a job? Are you already employed but continuously being passed over for promotion? If yes, the way you present yourself may be the reason. Questionable social skills are more than enough to give employers the wrong impression about you. In spite of stellar technical skills, if you don’t act the part or communicate with confidence employers may assume you aren’t good enough to be selected. This can be very discouraging for those having a hard time getting a job, or a promotion…to say the least.

You may think, “Why me? Nobody’s perfect! We all make mistakes.” And yes – saying ‘no one’s perfect’, rightfully applies. However, making too many mistakes or the wrong kind of mistakes can come across as nervous, careless or disrespectful. And ultimately jeopardize your chances of getting the job.

With the passage of time, etiquette and manners have evolved and undergone a sea-of-change. As societies have evolved, we have become more globalized, and new technologies have been developed requiring protocols for using them in a courteous manner. This evolution has made etiquette more confusing and more important than ever, which is just the reason why learning etiquette soft skills may be urgently needed.

We at Personal Impact can help. We specialize in teaching the essential skills needed in a competitive global market. This in turn can improve your chances of getting selected for a job, or moving up the corporate ladder. Our online course ‘Business Etiquette for Job Seekers & Promotion Seekers’, is specially designed as a self-study professional development course, so that you can learn how to apply the skills to make a great impression and get to the top. It was developed in accordance with corporate seminars presented by an international industry leader Kimberly Law, AICI CIP with over 17 years experience training individuals, companies and educational sectors on the topic of business etiquette.

In this course you will learn the interpersonal skills needed for acing an interview or getting promoted. We will show you how to introduce yourself appropriately to your prospective employer; how to use technology properly; and how to behave in a way to ensure that your coworkers and clients respect you, anywhere in the world. We will also cover common mistakes that may be perceived as defective behaviour.

Whether you are Looking for a job, or in a job that involves dealing with your local market or the international arena – this is just the course you need to enhance your business etiquette soft skills. Our online downloadable course consists of 26 lectures, a 37 page study guide based on the IITTI internationally accepted Western business etiquette standards, supplementary articles and resources which will teach you the business etiquette essentials needed for handling yourself and establishing rapport in any business environment.

The requirements of the course are simple: A desire to improve business etiquette soft skills, the drive to succeed at the workplace, willingness to learn and use new skills – along with the goal to stand-out as a professional.

With over 2 hours of content lessons include: interacting with western culture’s in a business environment, respecting co-workers and clients, the non-verbal pitfalls of body language, and communication skills needed for job interviews and at business meetings.

Our course aims at improving interpersonal skills in individuals who are unsure about how to behave during various business interactions and want to feel more confident in any business setting. With our help, you can learn the techniques to outclass your competition and WIN in the corporate world!

www.udemy.com/business-etiquette-for-job-seekers-promotion-seekers

Use Your Manners at the Canada Day Barbeque

Canada Day and the USA 4th of July is the perfect occasion to get outside and gather with family, friends and business colleagues at a picnic in the park or a summer barbeque.

Continue reading Use Your Manners at the Canada Day Barbeque

Meet the In-Laws: How to Enhance Your Success

Happy Easter!

Let’s face it – meeting the in-laws for the first time can be a daunting experience. Whether you are hoping to be welcomed into the family, or your role is to welcome someone into the family, the first gathering can feel like going for a job interview. The knowledge that you will be judged, evaluated, and compared to or potentially competed with by everyone that came before you can leave even the most confident person feeling nervous about that first meeting.Even though I think most would agree that a couple’s happiness should be the most important consideration in a relationship, those of us who have gone through the process of meeting the in-laws or future in-laws would also agree that, as a couple, knowing you have won the family’s acceptance and respect can be essential for the future success of any relationship. Uncertainty of how the in-laws will respond over time, and possibly impact your relationship with your partner or family member can leave anyone feeling insecure.

Having been through this three times – first with parents-in-law; second with a parent of mine entering into a relationship; and most recently with adult children, his and mine; I can say I have seen all sides. I can also honestly say that experience has not made me an expert on winning over family members. However, eliminating additional barriers can increase your odds for success. When meeting your new or future family – prepare ahead of time, be on your best behaviour and dress appropriately.

The success of the gathering weighs heavily on the partner or spouse bringing the families together. If that’s you, take the lead. Help reduce unnerving surprises by providing a heads-up about what to expect. Prepare both sides by disclosing likes, dislikes and personality quirks before the gathering.

• Even though you may be a new family member or want to feel that way, making yourself at home in the home of your host can be perceived as offensive unless invited to do so. Some hosts want their guests to act at home right away and others find guests’ feet on the coffee table, helping ones-self to the fridge, or casually lighting up a cigarette in the house, among other things, enraging. Learn your host’s expectations ahead of time. Then follow their lead.

• If you are one of the in-laws, never bring up the past relationships of your affiliated family member. i.e. “Oh, by the way I saw _____, last week. She said to say, hello. She is such a nice girl.” Fondly bringing up old relationships can bring up new wounds in new relationships. Don’t say or do anything that might hurt or embarrass your new or future family member.

• Don’t leave your child or parent’s date sitting in the living room alone, while you and other family members are in the kitchen. Include your guest by treating everyone equally and with respect. Don’t let your guest feel like an outsider.

• Brush up on your dining skills. Some families dine formally and others are very casual. However, knowing how to navigate the table and what not to do will help you feel more confident and leave a good impression in any situation.

• Find out ahead of time what is considered appropriate dress. Some families dress up for family gatherings and others don’t. Either way leave faded jeans and t-shirts at home. Slacks and a collared shirt, blouse or a lightweight sweater would likely be a better option for casual dress. It will show respect to the host and it will show that you care.

The road to family acknowledgment, acceptance and support can be a long and bumpy one to travel. However, knowing ahead of time what will be appreciated and what will be considered appalling may help ease the tension and make the journey a little smoother.

©Kimberly Law, AICI CIP 2014

 

3 Reasons to Wear Accessories – By Kimberly Law, AICI CIP

When dressing for a classic look, the old saying ‘less is more’, is generally true. However, when it comes to accessories, ‘none’ is boring. Like the icing on the cake, accessories add personality, visual interest and pizzazz to any outfit.

  • A change of accessories can instantly change the mood of an outfit. The correct accessory can change your look from casual to dressy; daytime to evening; or serious to fun.
  • Adding a new accessory can update an old outfit, giving it a new life, giving your clothing longer wearability over time.
  • Accessories can create the illusion of a slimmer, taller, shorter or more balanced body shape. They act as a focal point and when strategically placed they can distract the eye away from any figure challenge.

Accessories are the finishing touch and come in many forms. Some examples of accessories include: shoes, handbags, jewellery, belts, scarves/ neckties, glasses, pocket squares, glasses and hosiery. Grooming such as make-up for women, stylish hair and well-groomed nails, accessorize and finish the look.

Choose your accessories carefully and make any outfit look fabulous.

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How to Choose the Wrong Underwear for the Workplace – By Kimberly Law, AICI CIP

Today I want to talk about something that has plagued the workforce for many years… the wrong underwear. It makes employers uncomfortable, co-workers uncomfortable, clients uncomfortable and if you fall victim to this, it can not only make you uncomfortable, but in the end it may be the cause of you being victimized and likely end up embarrassing you and those around you.

Over the years, many companies have invited me to speak to their employees about the importance of professional attire. And as strange as it may seem, in almost every situation the employer brings up the topic of underwear as a big concern. Behind closed doors they tell me of their horror stories about those embarrassing days when an employee comes into work, with the bra straps showing; the thong panty straps showing;  or a bra or panties worn too tight, non-supportive or even worse –  obviously non-existent.   Appropriate underwear is part of your professional attire. So let’s talk about underwear openly.

Lingerie has a very long history and over the years has been designed for many different functions – from hygiene & modesty to changing the shape of female figure & enhancing sexuality.

However, even though historically, lingerie may have served many purposes, (on the scene and behind the scene) in the board room underwear should never get top billing. At work, the purpose of underwear is to provide structure and comfort to your professional attire. As a foundation piece in a professional setting, it should always stay behind the scene in a supporting role rather than standing out as the main attraction.

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How to Dress to Appear More Feminine – By Kimberly Law, AICI CIP

I recently worked with two clients who said that they felt they were perceived as being too masculine. One said that she had actually been mistaken for a man. She said that she felt ‘very embarrassed’, and as a woman, I can understand how she may have felt that way.

Right or wrong, as human beings we have inherently come to identify the female gender as being softer, more nurturing and more delicate than the male gender.  Our human perception of fashion also follows these archetypes.

When you meet someone initially your appearance can be your most powerful communicator. Deviating from those archetypical traits can lead to misinterpretation and the wrong first impression.

Here are some things that you can do to appear more feminine.

Cover the body, but don’t try to conceal the female shape. The female form is generally curvier than the male form. For a more feminine look, garments should emphasize the female shape and should flow over natural curves of the female figure without being clingy. Construction details like darts, princess seams and sheering shape the garment. Choose fabrics that are lighter in weight, refined, soft and drape well.

Lower contrast colour palettes in colours that are light to medium in value, softened or muted and analogous colour schemes increase the appearance of softness.

Details that are smaller or perceived as more delicate such as floral prints, heirloom jewelry, ruffles or lace will automatically appear more feminine.

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Why Wear Navy this Spring?

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.

Body Balancing Holiday Party Dresses By Kimberly Law, AICI CIP Image Expert

These dresses can help to balance shoulders and hips. The right shoulder details and neckline details can make the shoulders appear wider. This will help balance a women’s pear shaped figure, slimming the waistline and making the hips look smaller. For those women who want their shoulders to appear narrower or their hips to appear wider skirt details that add fullness will help. To illustrate this, here is a comparison. Try one of these body balancing dress styles for your New Year’s Eve Party!

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Subtract Inches and Add Curves with These Party Dresses By Kimberly Law, AICI CIP Image Expert

Whether it is the company Christmas party, New Years Eve party or other social functions that we attend during the Holiday Season, for many of us, this is also the time of year we hunt for the perfect holiday party dress. Unfortunately as we age, the hunt becomes more and more challenging. Yes midlife, that time when no matter what we weigh our waistlines become bigger. Here are some party dresses that slim the waist, add curves where you want them and are perfect dresses for holiday parties!

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Waist Slimming Party Dresses By Kimberly Law, AICI CIP Image Expert

This morning I was going through my closet and found some party dresses that I hadn’t worn for a while. Remembering them fondly, I pulled them out and tried them on. “Ugh! What happened? Did they change or did I? They are still beautiful dresses. I still weigh roughly the same. But the fit?!” With a deep sigh, I hung them back up in the closet. “I guess that means more sit-ups…grr.” Ah yes, midlife. No matter how well we take care of ourselves our waistlines do get bigger.  If you are like me and want to make your waistline look smaller this comparison may help.


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