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Ways Your Business Can Reflect a Professional Image
April 8th, 2008 | Posted in Business.
Whether you have a thriving company with hundreds of employees or you are just a one person show, reflecting a professional image can be vital to your business’ future. By presenting a professional image to your clients, you are gaining their trust. Most likely clients will buy products or services from companies that are professional and even tell their friends about them. Here are some ways to help gain trust and even put you ahead of the competition.
Business Hours
It seems like a nice concept to work whenever you wish, but are your clients at work when you are? Sleeping in late and working at night may work fine for you, but many clients have set business hours which will not allow them to get in touch with you when it is convenient. Select a set of hours which you will be available for business, let your clients know and stick to it.
Phone and Voicemail
When clients call the number you provided them do they get this?
“Hi, you’ve reached the home of John, Jane and Julie Smith. We are currently not available, but if you leave a message we will call you back.â€
This voice message greeting seems like a nice touch if your clients are family oriented people. Otherwise, it may be smart to invest in a separate phone line and a toll-free number just for business purposes. Services such as GotVMail allow you to setup a toll-free number, extensions, fax and voicemail.
Show Your Expertise
Do people see you as an expert in your field? You should always reflect to everyone you meet that you are an expert and you know what you are doing. Start a blog on a subject that you know, participate at question and answer web sites such as Yahoo! Answers and volunteer in your local community for a similar task you are good at.
Dressing for Work
If you are working from home, it may be acceptable to work in your pajamas. But if you are meeting with a client, then you might want to consider wearing something else. Take a job interview for example, would you wear a t-shirt and holey blue jeans?
Many employers have made up their minds whether or not they will hire you within the first few minutes of seeing you. If you don’t dress for the occasion, you most likely won’t get the job. The same applies to selling to clients. As some coaches tell their players, “look sharp and be sharpâ€.
Conclusion
If you work from home in your spare bedroom or in an office building, it doesn’t matter where you work; it only matters if you can work professionally. Dressing right, being an expert, having a dedicated business phone and setting business hours are great ways to improve your professional image to the public.
Do you have any additional tips on how to reflect a professional image?
Please leave a comment below with tips and tricks for the best business image.
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Tom
April 9th, 2008 at 7:50 am
Nice article. I work at home but always dress up for “going to work”.I feel more like a professional that way and can concentrate on my work.
Allan
April 9th, 2008 at 9:24 am
Tom, Thanks for the tip.
The baldchemist
July 4th, 2009 at 2:25 am
Well done! You know, thew sooner one is perceived as being professional the more exiting the work.
I have a few pointers, but this is your gig.
Take care. One thing to remember you are what you say you are. So be knowledgeable.