Dress for Success :
How to Influence Others Perception of You

Open Enrollment Public Seminar

It's time to strategize your professional image and stop playing
Russian roulette with your career!

Oct 15 , 2009 (Thursday) Atlanta, GA Nov 9, 2009 (Monday) Atlanta, GA Dec 4, 2009 (Thursday) Atlanta, GA

In your business life, do you feel supremely confident about the way you look? Do you know what silent messages you are sending about yourself everyday? Is the message you are sending the right message about your professionalism and the quality of work you do? It's time you discover the exciting First Impression Management strategies that will enable you to enter a room and be noticed, to command respect. You will find that we are the authority when it comes to creating a business image that says success.

What kind of image are you projecting?
Creating a professional presence doesn't happen by accident, there's a real formula you can use that takes away the stress of not knowing. How can you change your image to convey the message that you're competent and in control? Learn what "dress for success" is all about. This training will help you:

• Identify your personal style and how it affect your ability to get and use power
• Avoid sending contradictory or confusing signals about yourself
• Learn how to correctly "set the stage" for every interaction
• Understand how your professional success is directly linked to the level of self-confidence you project
• Identify the single most important thing you can do every day to maintain your sense of self-confidence

Companies worldwide spend millions of dollars each year packaging their products - your employees' image is just as important - they are a visual representation of your company and your deliverables. Therefore, do looks really matter. The answer is "Yes."

Like it or not, image has a very real impact on career and business success, and wardrobe plays a big part in those critical first thirty seconds. We live in a time distinguished by our cultural trend towards greater and greater informality in all aspects of life, including business.  Yet, our desire to be comfortable should not overrule the business needs.  With our customized training program we help your employees sharpen their business image - which will also boost their self esteem and their business performance. 

"Business casual" dress policies, unless they have specific guidelines and boundaries, means that each employee has to qualify what is appropriate. In our training we demonstrate to your employees how they can make the right choices everyday. We can also work with you to help you develop a Business Dress Code that will reflect the right image for your company.  Our programs are presented in a relaxed, enjoyable and interactive format.

At the completion of this program you will know how to:

• Identify your visual goals: where are you now and where do you want to be
• Unpeeling layers and layers of habits that are getting in your way
• The psychology of color and how they affect your appearance
• Select the right colors that give you the look of authority
• Wear colors that are flattering for you
• The art of camouflaging
• What is traditional business attire
• The three levels of business casual
• What is your body type and how to dress accordingly
• The pitfalls of dressing in the latest style
• Improve your non-verbal communication skills
• Shop for appropriate clothes and not break the bank
• Develop a personal action plan to improve your image
• Enhance your visual presentation as professionals

Oct 15 , 2009 (Thursday) Atlanta, GA Nov 9, 2009 (Monday) Atlanta, GA Dec 4, 2009 (Thursday) Atlanta, GA

Course Outline

Creating a Professional Image
To ensure your success, we explore the visual components that create your professional image – your appearance. In this module you learn how to  create a first-class business image. We explore the importance of making the right visual impression every day.  You’ll discover the benefits of presenting yourself professionally in the workplace and the consequences for not making this a priority. We’ll show you that your image is totally under your control and we review the rewards for making positive changes.  You will learn the step-by-step changes you can immediately make to create the image you want. The dressing for success topics addressed during this session include:

Understanding the visual message you are sending
In this introductory discussion, you discover the benefits of presenting yourself professionally in the workplace and the consequences for not making this a priority.

 “Why appearance counts”
We help you discover that regardless of your ability, work ethic, sense of responsibility, and productivity, people will judge you by the image you present to others.

Organizational dress policies
Most organizations have basic dress guidelines for their employees that spell out the company’s policies. We review the basics and show the subtle distinctions in levels of appropriateness. Additionally, you will see how under the umbrella term of “appropriate attire” there are a range of interpretations.

What does your grooming and current look say about you and your work?
You learn how to be aware of details that destroy an otherwise professional presence. We’ll remind you that even small slips in personal grooming routines can ruin their professional presence.  We review the small image busters that will keep you from having a professional presence. 

• Dress items a women should avoid
• Dress items a men should avoid
• Getting out of the habit

We explore why making changes in our habit is so difficult for everyone and how we can make positive changes in our lives.

What is traditional business attire?
You learn the basics for dressing in “traditional business” attire.  We explore what does it mean and how we can bring it up and down a notch.  We define what traditional business attire is.

• Men’s classic business attire
• Women’s classic business attire
• What is business casual?

You learn the three categories of business casual.  We discuss the benefits as well as problems associated with leaving the definition of business casual to each individual’s interpretation.  You learn both the pluses and minuses of having a too casual appearance in the workplace.  

The best way to shop for your business clothes
We provide information on where you can go to find items and services you will  need to help you create that professional image.  To help you reach your goals, you complete a self-assessment that will make you aware of areas that need improvement.   

Creating Clothing Capsules
We show you how to pick clothes that will last and still be in style years after you purchase them.  We teach the men in the audience what is the best first suit to purchase and the needed accessories.  We show the women in the audience how from nine (9) pieces of color coordinated clothes you can make 45 different outfits.

  At the conclusion of this segment, you will be able to:

• Understand how having a professional appearance can improve your chances for business success
• Understand the difference between appropriate and inappropriate business attire
• Understand the meaning of “traditional business attire”
• Understand the limitations of dressing “casual” can create
• Know the components of “traditional business attire”
• Know if your clothes comply to your company’s dress code
• Know what grooming changes you have to make
• Develop a personal action plan to improve your professional image
• Know where to shop for clothes

Action Plan
The last module helps you develop an individualized action plan as a result of what you have learned during the training session.  You will produce a list of goals and the steps you will have to take to enhance your effectiveness.  You will be able to immediately implement your plans and see their benefits and the organization they represent.

Oct 15 , 2009 (Thursday) Atlanta, GA Nov 9, 2009 (Monday) Atlanta, GA Dec 4, 2009 (Thursday) Atlanta, GA