Vol. 1, Issue 5 July 11, 2007 |
Why Image-on-the-1's? Because your image is your most powerful communication tool. We know your image matters to you and your image matters to us. You've got questions and we've got answers. So, on the 1st, 11th and 21st of each month, we'd like to answer your questions and provide you with tips and tools that you can really use. Stay tuned for on-going information that will help you save time, money and energy and guarantee that you present your very best self to your world everyday. |
I'm Lauren Solomon, President of LS Image Associates, and
along with my team of Experts, I'd like to welcome you to
Image-on-the-1's.
It's our pleasure and our goal to use your questions as our guide
to the topics we address in each issue. Please keep your comments and questions coming. Visit us at www.LSimage.com or send your questions and/or comments to AskLauren@LSimage.com.
We look forward to hearing from you.
Cheers!
Lauren
OK, yes, I'm from New York. And, yes, I understand the basics of baseball - the Yankees play at Yankee Stadium and the Mets, they play at the other one. Baseball season starts with Spring Fever and ends with...preferably a subway series playoff. Then we swing into football, basketball and hockey. Yes, we live in a seasonal world.
In case you haven't thought about it this way before...your image has seasons, too. If we look at ourselves, yes, preferably in a full length mirror, we can usually see the last season of our inner-delight, when we felt young, fresh, happy, sexy...pick your own descriptor. Further, we can look in the stores and see the image of Fall clothing arriving in early July at the height of summer, before you've even had a chance to wear your new teeny-weenie-yellow-polka-dot bikini. Then, when you're ready to shop for cashmere, say in October, the racks are bare and the Super Sale signs pop up like daisies in the field. It's as frustrating to the would-be-shopper as I imagine it is for Derek Jeeter to review this season's stats for his team.
While, unfortunately, I have no words of wisdom for the Yankees, except perhaps PLAY! I do have a few thoughts on how to keep yourself and your performance fresh, current, crowd-pleasing and always at the top of your game.
- Keep your hair style current. Be sure it flatters your face, is proportionate to your body, and requires no pushing, tugging or adjusting in public. If your stylist hasn't been moving you forward on a regular basis, move yourself to a new stylist.
- Dress YOUR body as it is today. Perfect fit will make an inexpensive garment look like a million bucks. And, you deserve to look great at every weight. A talented tailor is worth his/her weight in gold.
- Keep at least one great suit in your best neutral. It will come in handy. And, it will flatter you, hiding a myriad of tales and sins along your way. For men - with or without a tie, a total look is always a winner.
- Keep at least two great pair of shoes for business. For women - one basic black and one in a color to spice up your look. For men - one lace up and one slip on. Alternate between them for longer life of the shoe and an immediate style upgrade. Men -match your belts to your shoes for instant, true style-icon appeal.
- Get a manicure. Yes - Everyone! I don't dare mandate a pedicure (since biz shoes never have open toes. But you knew that already.) But, a manicure for women - keep nails short, neat and neutral. For men - no polish just a good buffing, will bring out a healthier nail and cuticle. People see your hands, your face and your shoes most of all. Make the vista memorable in the best way.
- Women - Keep your make up polished and perfect. Yes, it takes a few wisely-invested minutes of practiced application to make it look like you have nothing on. Men - if this interests you, please schedule a private consultation.
- Take advantage of the season and the super sales. Shop end of season for the basics. For women - great tops in season-appropriate fabrics, neutral colors and simple styles that are guaranteed to return each year as the perfect building blocks in any wardrobe. For men - grab those great dress shirts in white, blue and "those other colors". And, while you're at it, get some new ties to go with them. You can wear them for business and then out for dinner with your sexy jeans. Oh, we haven't gotten you sexy jeans yet...next season
See Lauren's
Summer Style Wardrobe Updates
for Women and Men
on CareerTV
Order your personal copy of
Image Matters!
First Steps on the Journey to Your Best Self
by Lauren Solomon
Hear Lauren Live
The Marsh Engle Show
Monday, July 16
1pm PST
Regardless of your path in life or where you are in your personal or professional development, Lauren will share tips, tools and secrets that will expand your self-image and positively change your life.
E-Image Inquiry
Q: I know a business person who is a great professional: well regarded, excellent work product and work ethic, strong character, etc. But his/her personal image is outdated and uninspiring at best. I tried a "soft" suggestion about getting an image upgrade, but it didn't take. Without coming right out and saying, "You really need to spend time with Lauren," how do I get this message across? I don't want to sound like the judgmental critic I probably am.
A: I must admit, this is an on-going challenge for many, including me. You can see your colleague's/associate's potential, and your desire to help is genuine and heart-felt, not critical or judgmental in any way. Nevertheless, we all know that only "other people" need help with their image. Here are 3 approaches I've recommended and used successfully in the past:
- Ask questions. In a private conversation ask what works and what doesn't work in your colleague's current situation. If everything is great and there is no room for improvement, let go and move on. If business could be better, certain contracts or potential clients fell through, s/he didn't get the raise, promotion or the hoped-for-opportunity, acknowledge readily that s/he is a "great professional," is well-regarded and doing quality work. Clearly, his/her technical skills are not in question. Nevertheless, there may be an opportunity to take an objective, unconventional look at what could be done differently. Perhaps others' perceptions of your colleague do not align with yours and his/her own. Suggest that this might be worthy of an external review with an image professional. After all, we all need to stay fresh and current all the time. You'd hire a coach or trainer to improve your backswing...how about one to help keep your front game polished and cutting edge?
- If you work within a team structure, you might consider an internal team exercise where everyone on the team goes through an image upgrade as part of a broader "brand alignment" initiative. Since teams must successfully represent each other with equal levels of professionalism, engaging an external professional for help should be a requirement of the business strategy. I can't tell you how many times I've been hired to speak to groups of hundreds in order to get the message to one person.
- Sometimes you are left with the truth. While it may feel like you are delivering a message with a sledge hammer...delivering a genuine, caring message that carries only your colleague's best interest at its heart may help to cushion the mallet just a bit.
Keep in mind that no matter how gently or directly you deliver any message, people can only hear what they are ready to hear. Once you deliver the message, you're done. Let it go. Understand that your colleague may not completely appreciate what you've said or the effort you've made to be kind and considerate in delivering the message. It may take a minute, an hour, a month or a year, but one day s/he will thank you, sincerely.