Perceptions Are Others Reality
You're only as good as your word - as well as your actions. Both words and actions translate into a person's reputation. As much as we can, we want to have some say in the way that others perceive us. Remember John Malloy's book Dress for Success that encouraged us all to dress for the job we want, not the one we have?
Others state the importance of "acting as if..." we already achieved the level of success or love or financial resources we desired in life. What's the reason? By taking on the role and characteristics of someone (or the true us we want to be), people react toward us accordingly. Here are a few pointers on how to influence how others perceive you for positive results.
Walk your talk
There are some people who enter a room and command attention. It may be their personal persona, the way they carry themselves or their ability to say the right things at the right time. Business - as in life - is abotu relationships and establishing strong and lifetime bonds with other people that surpass a simple business transaction. The factors related to knowing, liking and trusting affect your credibility in the marketplace and we have more control over what others think about us than we might realize. Say what you do and do what you say. It's a simple recipe for success in helping people to perceive you in the wya you want to be perceived.
Carefully choose those who represent you when you cannot be there
Most of you know that I run a "virtual" business. I have no full-time employees per se, but a great rolodex/database of resources and individuals who have contributed much to my company and the growth of my company. Over time, it's come to my attention through working with people directly, or listening to my clients and prospects who the gems are. Usually, these folks want to hire my team from me because they exuded professionalism, acumen and good judgment. In my experience, you cannot train someone on common sense (a trait that is all too uncommon) , high integrity (most people are taught that from an early age and cannot be persuaded to do the right thing if it wasn't part of their make up before you hired them), or personal responsibility and ownership (when things are going smoothly or when a mistake is made).
It's importan to hire someone with strong core values who is personable and has good manners. WHen someone is representing you when you cannot be there - they need o be the best representation of you. Choose your team wisely and make adjustments accordingly.
Offer a Lagniappe every once in a while
I wrote about a lagniappe once before when a colleague of mine interviewed me for a story and described what I was doing with my prospects and clients as a lagniappe. According to dictionary.com, a lagniappe is, "Chiefly Southern Louisiana and Southeast Texas, a small gift when given with a purchase to a customer, by way of a compliment or for good measure; bonus."
One of the ways I've attempted to distinguish myself and my business during the past nearly 20 years I've been out on my own is to celebrate unusual holidays - Chinese New Year being my favorite, sending birthday cards or calls to clients on their special day, writing personal notes and extending invitations to break bread with them at conference, trade shows or when I am in town on business. All of these are examples of lagniappes - and they enhance my reputation and the perception people have of me because they are simply not expected as the norm in business.
Do the unexpected and begin to receive unprecedented results that will enhance others' perception of you and will influence their desire to do work with you now and long into the future.
Nancy Michaels is a Business Development entrepreneur and publishes the "GrowYourBusiness" weekly e-zine.
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