SUCCEED WITH STYLE: How High are Your Standards?

SUCCEED WITH STYLE: How High are Your Standards?

Do you have standards that you would never fall below? Not many people do, especially when it comes to their image. The connection struck me during the oddest moment. I was at a funeral burial where there were two military soldiers honoring the man who had passed.

As we drove to the grave, I noticed the soldiers standing at full attention. My son noticed them too and asked me if they were actually real because they appeared so still and perfect. As I watched them perform the steps of the ceremony, their slow and deliberate and precise movements impressed me. Every action was perfectly planned and executed.

Of course, it is imperative for Military Personnel to execute perfectly (or so we hope) as their ultimate job is to protect our country. Not many of us have that responsibility, but we do have situations where it’s critical for us to stand out – whether it’s a job interview, new business presentation or client meeting.

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If you want to have impact and stand out from the crowd, follow these 10 rules.

1. Assess the quality of your clothing. Let go of clothes that are worn, stained, frayed, out of style or just plain old.

2. Invest in high quality shoes, totes and handbags. Polish them regularly to maintain their shine and longevity.

3. Tailor your clothes to fit your body perfectly. A high quality, well-fitting suit or sport jacket speaks volumes. In an instant, it can make you look more credible and successful.

4. Iron, press or have your dress shirts dry-cleaned and starched. Steam all wrinkles out of your clothes. Taking them into the bathroom when showering helps eliminate wrinkles.

5. Ladies don’t leave the house with wet hair and update your hairstyle regularly. An unkempt hairstyle can ruin even the best looking outfit.

6. Clean out your wallet so it closes properly or doesn’t bulge in your back or front pockets.

7. Commit to keeping your car clean on the inside and the outside regularly.

8. Invest in high quality business cards that truly reflect your business brand.

9. Invest in a professional headshot and have at least 3 different shots done.

10. Review and refresh any of your business profiles. Or simply complete them if you have done so already. Include your new headshot, add strong recommendations and clearly communicate the promise of value.

Keep in mind we can’t always be perfect but we can certainly elevate our image and appearance a notch or two. I’m committing to improving my own standards, especially keeping my car clean.

Margaret Batting is the Corporate Style expert for GoLocalProv.com. Margaret is the owner and president of Elevé Image Consulting and the only certified image consultant and personal brand strategist in Rhode Island. She travels the country as the national corporate image consultant for CareerBuilder. For more information, visit www.eleve-style.com.