Are you ready to transform your image? – By Miyanda

Are you ready to transform your image? – By Miyanda

Have you ever heard the saying ‘a picture says a thousand words’ I am sure you have. It simply translates that the way we present ourselves to the people around us tells a story which leaves a long lasting impression. A persons image is not only limited to the way they dress but covers a wide range of areas such as, communication, presentation, approachability, credibility, confidence, conduct, etiquette and grooming

One thing I love about my job and work is that it allows me to be the best I can be, to challenge myself, to push myself, to be creative, to be innovative, to create opportunities that others do not see, to put a smile on someone’s face when they finally find employment or when I work with them to transform their image especially when they realize that transforming and enhancing your image is a simple process. This week, the Image Consultant in me needs to speak on a subject that is very close to my heart because it allows me to transform a shy person to a confident one, a person whose image is in a mess into a sparkling image. It allows me an opportunity to transform the image of an organization where customers loose confidence in its service to gaining respect through a complete transformation. I work with both individuals and organizations that want to transform and celebrate their individuality. Over the past years I have realized that whilst I want work with people and help them grow and transform themselves, I needed to ensure that I had the right tools and knowledge to provide credibly information and advice. I decided to obtain Image Consulting certification and now we have a modern Image studio which empowers people from all walks of life with information on how to transform their images and build confidence in themselves.

I want you to ask yourself, does your image or that of your organization matter? Do you need to create a winning image? Do you need to drive the latest car, own the latest cell phone, and have Louis Vuitton handbags and Gucci shoes to have the right image? Do you have to be rich or poor? Do you have to be model thin? Does your company have to be International to have the right image?
My answer is NO, transforming your image for success is a simple process, style is never about having large amounts of money, it is about your ability to use whatever you have to create the right first impression. Image has an undeniable impact on your own and company’s success. I often ask people if they are a Sales person and more often than not they will say ‘No Miyanda I am the Managing Director or I am an Accountant or Sales Manager’. I beg to differ because whatever position you hold within your organization or whoever you are, you serve as ambassador or sales person for your business or yourself. Whether you are at home with your family, out enjoying drinks with friends, or at the office the appropriateness of your image is always questioned by people around you. You are selling yourself every single time you come into contact with someone, because as I mentioned in last week’s article, people making decisions based on very limited information. This simply means that the appropriateness of your image, conduct and appearance, even on casual days is crucial.

Always remember that if you are moving up the corporate ladder, making important contacts, representing your company, meeting business leaders or networking, you are selling yourself. You need to work towards transforming your image so that you send the right message, you may be trying to impress new clients or partners, you may be working towards getting a promotion and there needing to impress your superiors or you may simply want to impress members of the opposite sex, all this simply requires you to change and transform your image. Do not forget that a credible image is vital for your success, your credibility matters, and your image makes up a major part of your credibility. You must create an even balance between the way you look and the way you sound because if people are distracted by the way you look they will pay little attention to what you are saying.

Ask yourself how seriously you want people to take you, are you comfortable in your body whatever size or shape it is, are you happy with your clothes, hair and makeup, attitude and personality? Do you have a wardrobe full of clothes but every day you cannot find anything to wear? When you are invited to a function, do you find it easy to move into the crowd and start chatting with people of do you stand in the corner with your glass in hand admiring other confident networkers. Would you describe yourself as a likeable person? ask people around you, do you leave people in a better or worse situation than you found them? Do you have the charm and charisma that will move you a step further towards achieving your goals?

Learn to smile, believe me it will instantly change your face value, I don’t know anyone who does not warm up when people smile at them, practice, the more you do it the more comfortable you will become. Maintain easy and comfortable body language, every time you fold your hands, walk, lean on something, make facial expressions you are sending a message, watch your body language. Choose clothing and colors that balance your style, if you are worried about you weight and you want to look slimmer, then invest in a black outfit, black is not only make you look thinner, it is a sophisticated color and sends the message of authority and power. Choose colors that will brighten your eyes and make your skin look healthy and at the same time hide your imperfections. Always engage people with eye contact do not give anyone an opportunity to doubt your credibility, always start and end a conversation with grace, remember people’s names and always have a firm handshake. Use verbal power, learn to speak in such a strong manner that people listening to you hang on every word you say. Start today to transform your image.

If you are still looking for a job and want to know where you are going wrong and gain tips on how to attract potential employers, we are having a talk on the job search process on 29 August 2009, contact us for further information. Our Sales workshop facilitated by Richard Mulvey, Sales Guru based in South Africa is scheduled for 2 September 2009. Please contact our offices for bookings.
The Author is a consultant for Prosoft Human Resources Solutions. For any suggestions and comments please email miyandak@prosofthumanresource.com 0979472850 visit www.prosofthumanresource.com