Business Style – How Your Business Style Can Work For You…or Against You
Our business style…like it or not, people judge us by the way we “look”. That’s great news because that means we can influence what other people perceive of us…and our authority.
“Perception is reality.” ~ Author Unknown
How you “appear” when you enter a business setting…especially a new one… directly affects what other business people think about you. And, you can easily capitalize on this human behavior.
Business Style Power Tip
The following business style power tip is something you can easily do that can help to dramatically transform your business…if you “get it” and act on it.
We make a lot of choices in our business lives. And, one of them is how you choose to be seen. You can choose to blend in with the background. Or, you can also choose to look like you have the wherewithal of a CEO, a power-broker, or a multi-millionaire. It’s really your choice.
This power tip is something that many of the most successful business people in the world do to help them be more of a force to be reckoned with. Perhaps, the best way to illustrate the notion of business style is with a quick story.
Business Style The Rich Dad Way
Robert Kiyosaki is the NY Times Best Selling Author of “Rich Dad, Poor Dad” and a fabulously successful business man who only surrounds himself with the most talented advisers (Rich Dad Advisers). A good friend of mine, Antoni Patrik, is one of Kiyosaki’s top advisors. At the sensational events Kiyosaki personally puts on in Scottsdale, AZ, he arranges for Patrik do full business style make-overs on several attendees. Image consultant Patrik focuses on hair style, hair color, facial hair & color, clothes, shoes, & make-up if any).
On the first day of the Kiyosaki-led events, Patrik selects attendees during the breaks. It’s the attendee’s option whether or not to participate. And, for those who accept, amazing things happen to them. Patrik takes “before” photos of the attendee just as they have shown up to the event. Then, he goes to work on them. I have personally witnessed the transformations, and every single one of them is jaw-dropping…every one.
On the last day of the event, Kiyosaki has Patrik position the attendee in the hallway…just outside of the main event room. Kiyosaki projects the “before” photo to the audience. He asks them to shout out “what” it is they think this person does for a living…judging only by the way they look in the photo.
“Store Clerk”, “Receptionist”, “Software Engineer”, and other such job titles fill the room. Although each job is respectable in it’s own right, none of them are how you want to come across when you’re seeking funding, looking to partner with other successful business people, or looking for important introductions into their networks.
Then, Kiyosaki gives the cue to Patrik. The “runway music” starts pumping. Patrik welcomes his new business masterpiece into the event room. Jaws drop immediately…starting in the back of the room and cascading forward as the fully-made-over person advances towards the stage. It is common to hear, “Wow!”, “Oh my God!”, and “Look at him/her!”. Audience members appear astonished at the transformations.
Kiyosaki welcomes the made-over attendee to the stage. He has them turn around so that everyone can see the complete package. They’re sporting fashionable business clothes and shoes. Hair styles have been updated. Gray hair is gone. Facial hair is either trimmed…or gone. And, they look awesome.
Kiyosaki shows the “before” and “after” photos…side-by-side. “Now, what do you think this person does?” he asks. “International Financier”, “Old Money”, “Fortune 500 CEO”, and the like now fill the room.
Kiyosaki says the people look younger, more powerful, …and sexier, too. With these straightforward business style make-overs, Kiyosaki suggests you may be able to arrange better deals, get more favorable terms, etc…all because you took time to understand a basic human behavior…and capitalize on it. Kiyosaki does this exercise to prove just how important appearance is…and that any of us can make it work for ourselves, not against ourselves. Now it’s your turn.
Business Style Power Tip – Seek the Advice of Someone Who’s Got a Great Sense of Business Style
Whether you’re at a Rich Dad event, a Mega Partnering event, or a chamber of commerce event, your can choose to look like a force to be reckoned with. Grab your smartphone and find an image consultant who can get you on the path to a make-over that can have a dramatic effect on your business. If you’re in or around the Scottsdale area, get a hold of Antoni Patrik at Rumors (480-998-1888). He’ll get your business style updated…and, you’ll be glad he did.
“Don’t question Antoni’s advice. Just do what he says.” ~ Robert Kiyosaki
It’s easy to do, but you must be open to change. And, it’s worth it. Please tell me your “before” and “after” story below.