The Right Dating Etiquette

When Love is in the Air 

I feel it in my fingers~ I feel it in my toes

The love that's all around me ~and so the feeling grows!

This is the season of romance passion and expression. This is the time when cupid strikes. As this is the time when love is on the air!

The toughest part about any love story is expression. Mostly one feels nervous to speak his or her heart out or simply does not know the proper way to communicate. The basic rule of communication is applicable to Love too, i.e. both verbal and nonverbal modes. For few impressing others are inborn skill; whereas, their counterparts need to develop it through proper guidance. This is where the concept of Image Management had strolled in.

I, as an Image Consultant have come across many cases where a date got jeopardized for mere erroneous gestures and behavioral norms. Usually, when two people go on a date for the first time, they try to judge each-other’s characters, likes and dislikes, similarities as well as differences.

My guidance on dating etiquette is an ideal blend of gender specific as well as common to both men and women tips.

Suggestion for guys:

Remember, the possibilities of creating a positive or negative image starts pre-dating and continues till you drop her back home. For example, to show chivalry, man should always open the car door for his lady. This is one of the many ways women test your knowledge of simple courtesy. Avoid talking about something which fascinates you such as sports, cars, share market etc. Choose a cafeteria that suites your budget and ensure her ease factors.

A pointer for women:

Dress to impress, but do not overdress. Give him a fair chance to express and impress. Be considerate about what you order. Do not just pick up something which is overly priced. Subtly hint that you are willing to pay.

What both should keep in mind?

My primary emphasis is on how to dress up accurately as per their body shape, size and skin tone. Moreover, I too clarify people about right body language, eye contact and postures; that is needed to be followed while on a date.  

Be on time. Avoid boasting about yourself; as you might end up making yourself sound uninteresting and unrealistic. Skip topics that revolve around someone’s past or sensitive matters. To be a good speaker one has to be a good listener.  Be respectful for each other. Avoid checking your phone every five minutes to read messages or mails. Answer only when the call is important. Try to keep your cell phone on silent mode.

Above all, I would like to offer one piece of advice to all of you, “Just be yourself!” Pretending to be someone else will take you nowhere!

Real Case Study - Image Revival for a Corporate House

Attending an international meet with foreign clients or trying to give a demo on a project which can decide your future growth?  Probably you have only one chance to make an impression. No matter how big or small corporate house you are, even a minor mistake can spoil the entire reputation earned through hard work. Similarly, there are instances when despite having the best of best features; still the corporate player fails to click in the market. Ironical, yet true!

However there is ‘no problem without a solution.’ This too can be handled, as I did for one of my corporate clients.

There was this IT company from NOIDA, which although had an excellent infrastructure, amazing policies and brilliant ideas for the industry; but still was in a limping state. The higher authorities were not able to figure out the reason for its repeated failures to create a mark for itself in the market.  

I started with a planner which included a complete makeover of the company’s image. A company's image leaves a lasting impression in the minds of potential customers and if it is excellent, it allows the company to stand out from its competitors. I advised them to freshen up outdated company logos, Web sites, business cards and mailers. For example, I suggested them to print business cards on thick card stock or glossy stock or going for matte design with satin finish. I ensured those cards match their mailers, brochures etc. This was just the first step, as image building goes deeper than that. The look of image supports the corporate culture; one has established inside and outside the company and conveys about the business, product, work ethic and professionalism developed to reach the target audience. It is one’s image, which speaks to the clients and vendors about what kind of company it is.

No wonder, despite the workforce was professionally quite sound and was thorough about the area they were dealing with, but they lacked corporate etiquette. Often in bagging the projects from international MNC giants, their competitors used to score above them.  Thus the next, but quite vital task was to organize trainings, sporadic workshops and one-on-one or group coaching based on a TNA to enhance both national and international corporate etiquettes including dining, travel, email, phone calls and meetings. I rendered my services through stationary or dress code policy too. 

Matter of two months, the company witnessed a sea change about its image in the market. Today its stocks are on the top in the share market. With many international clients in its kitty, it is on the process of opening more branches pan India.

Work on Self. Make a Difference!!

How Image Management Can Bring a Positive Change in Retail Industry!

Retail industry is one of the most promising ones in the market. It deals with selling of products directly to consumers. Thus, one has to be impressive not only with his/her verbal communication but also with his/her nonverbal approaches. While talking about nonverbal approaches, what I exactly mean is a correct body language, presentation skill as well as sense of dressing.

There are quite some wrong notions; people often have regarding retail industry. One is about the makeup which they perceive, are similar to glam industry. But in reality, they are quite unlike each other. In retail profession the makeup is more subtle following by a dress-code, whereas glam makeup is more on the jazzy side.

To make things more vivid, I am sharing one of real-time experience with you. Few months back one of my acquaintances started a boutique of designer wear. Although her collection was superb and pricing was reasonable; the sale was not up to the mark. Disappointed and distressed she was almost on the verge of closing down the shop. Right at that moment, on a regular teatime meet she discussed things with me. After brief discussion, I thought of giving a last try to make things happen for her.

The very next morning I visited her shop. I met every sales assistant in person. First and foremost, I started working on their verbal communication skill. I taught them the magic of “Smile Theory!” A big smile on the face, is always the show stealer in the retail line. Customers like to be attended by a sales person who has a welcoming attitude.  Understanding well the know-how of any customer, can always make things easy.

The next attempt was to give them a tailored makeovers. A decent dress code matching to the line of business is what I aimed for. Furthermore, I gave the salesgirls certain quick fix tactics on makeup. For example, the suitable color of lip shade, eye shadow as per their skin tone. What makeup to wear, how to get the right hairdo etcetera. Within 10 days of hard graft I manage to train the team.

It is said that “hard work always pays off”! We witnessed it no time. Now there is a hair-rising effect on the sale. The lady who was planning to shut down her boutique, is ordering for new stock to meet the increased demands.

Only a strong willpower followed by a proper planning can bring a noticeable change even to the most adverse condition!

Work on Self. Make a Difference!!

Real Case Study: A Beginner’s Guide to Modeling

Whether one is a beginner or a seasoned model, one still needs guidance at some point in his/her career. Moreover, image management plays a big role in preparing and supervising every minute details of a modeling.

While sharing another real life experience with you, I would like to throw light on this aspect !

Few months back I got to meet a girl in a common gathering. The teen was from Indo-Lebanese origin and that was the most dominating factor about her looks. While conversing with her I came to know about her keen interest in modeling. She was blessed with naturally flawless skin, wheatish tone, prominent facial features, amazing height and an hour-glass figure.  She has all the requisites to rock on the ramp, only a bit of grooming and polishing were needed to give that final sheen to her.

To begin with, I guided her to practice standing posture, eye contact, walking, posing and many such tricks practicing it facing the mirror for few days! For example, while posing in front of a camera try to relax instead of getting camera conscious, as it reflects in the snaps. Similar to dance, modeling is also all about positioning your body in flattering angles and interesting postures. Avoid sticking to a pose for more than three seconds. Keep tweaking your body with slight moves.  I trained her with the thought that power; status and confidence are non-verbally conveyed through the standing posture. She should use her height to its best and the space available to the most.

I also taught her that from captivating the audience to express the words effectively; striking right eye contact is very crucial. It is a non-verbal skill to communicate, often can speak louder than our words. Similar to many other fields in modeling too people who make higher-levels of eye contact with others are considered as more dominant and powerful, warm and personable etcetera.

With a few weeks of learning and practice, the teen girl has developed a refine taste for fashion and mastered the traits therein. Nothing is impossible if you have a strong determination!

Work on self. Make a difference!!

Correct Telephone Etiquette for a Successful Image Building

Phone Etiquette 

Of late, be it in a personal relationship or a business association, telephone conversations play a vital role in every sphere. Thus, conversing in a wrong way even over a telephone, can lead to serious blunders.

As an Image Consultant, when I guide people on various characteristics of their personalities, I put a major stress on learning the proper telephone etiquette. I consider, maintaining the right phone etiquette is as much important as talking to someone in person.

Just because, you can't see him/her; you should not follow impolite manners on a telephone tête-à-tête. Although, person at the other end of the receiver cannot see your facial expressions, the impression he receives is only through what he/she hears.

Greet politely when pick up the phone. It makes the whole conversation go much stress-free! Do not make the caller wait for too long. Pick up on the second ring. Keep the tone neutral and clear which is loud enough to be heard. Do not shout. While answering a call, use your full name instead of your first or last name alone. It sounds really unprofessional.  For example say it in a welcoming pitch "Hi, This is Mona Motwani speaking!"

When you are expecting an important call during your meeting, which cannot be re-scheduled, then inform the person you are meeting with, prior to the meeting.  While dialing someone, if you end up with no answers, please leave a short voice-mail. While leaving your number via a voice-mail, say it slowly and clearly. Do not make things inconvenient for others.

Side-step any kind of terrible noises while speaking on the phone. For example: eating, drinking, burping, smacking your gums together, yawning, mumbling or making popping noises with your mouth. If you have no choice but to sneeze or cough, excuse yourself and quickly cover the phone's sound piece.

If a phone call lands with a sad news, avoid the sound of excitement in your voice. Lower down your tone to express empathy. Say a comforting line before hanging up. 

Always end with politeness saying: "Have a pleasant day" or "It was pleasant speaking with you." Avoid making phone calls between 10:00 at night to 7:00 in the morning.

Be a perfect speaker even on telephone! It has a lot of bearing on your image!

Work on Self. Make a Difference!!

How to Teach a Kid the Right Etiquette

It won’t be wrong to say that your kids mirror the values you have! Don’t you agree? We ourselves pass comments like “look at the boy, he is so wild. Can’t his parents teach him some manners? Or see that girl; she is polite, just like her mom.” Hence, it is self-explanatory! No parent wants to be branded as irresponsible, right?

Well, I had a recent case, where the mother had to face a lot of social ridicule and embarrassment because of her 9 year old son.

It was during one of the parties hosted by a common friend, where this lady came with her son. Though there were other kids of same age as this boy, but he was creating mess throughout. From throwing tantrums to being rude to his mother, he created all sorts of discomfiture for his mom. 

Looking at this, I advised her to get her son to me next day ,for counseling.

On my query, I got to understand that this lady was a single mom. For past four years she was living with her son and just to fill the absence in his life due to her long working hours, she had spoiled him by providing whatever he demanded. This, somehow had become a cause of concern, as the boy turned disobedient.

Researches prove that children can show signs of empathy and concern from a very early age.  It means parents have the power to nurture, guide and instill skills like kindness, responsibility and gentleness in their offspring. Equally important is to teach them social skills.  Manners need to be taught as they are ‘lifelong survival skills’. Since, between the ages of 2 and 5, child is most receptive to learning the rules of polite conduct, this boy was exposed to a wrong example. To groom her child with right etiquette, I involved the mother too. As children learn through imitation; she just had to set good examples. With my help, she made him realize what is right and what is not. She made him read the messages sent by his school principal for his ill-behavior and the warning notice. I made her understand that she needs to talk to him and help him perceive the maturity of a grown up boy.

Just two months in the counseling and the same boy got the best social conduct tag at his school.

It is best to mold the character at such a tender age! Mentoring child etiquette is the best way to make him or her, responsible person for tomorrow.

Work on Self. Make a Difference !!