Personal Development

How To Dress Professionally for Men

2009-09-06T06:57:00.000-07:00

>> Step 1

Men’s dress suits – Invest in business apparel basics which consists of solid coloured shirts, dress pants, socks, silk ties, a classy watch, comfortable shoes and a plaint leather belt.

>> Step 2

De-clutter your closet – Iron and hang your dress shirts and coordinating pants in your closet so you have easy access to a coordinated look.

>> Step 3

Focus on being well groomed and polished – Make sure you get your hair cut and styled regularly, and that you shave and have manicured hands. Pick hair styling products to suit your hair.

>> Step 4

Find a Tailor – Well fitting clothes are essential for a professional look. Find a tailor who can neatly hem pants to fit you or make other minor modifications such as taking in the waist of your suit jackets, or shortening sleeves to fit your arm length.

Source: 1klassifieds, New Straits Times, August 29, 2009
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Men Guide To Dressing Well

2009-09-01T10:01:00.000-07:00

Men's Guide To Dressing Well

As a business professional in the corporate world, you need to project a well groomed and clean cut professional image. Being well dressed takes a lot more than just an expensive suit. A man can have the best suit money can buy and still not look polished.

In order to present yourself well in society, you need to bring your look together by paying attention to details. Its within the details that the full picture is shown.

Use the following steps as a guide to men’s dress clothing and to dressing like a business professional in a corporate environment.

>> If it doesn’t fit don’t wear it: Just because you have a nice, expensive suit, or a pair of stylist dark denim doesn’t mean your in the fashion clear. You need to make sure you clothing fits properly if you want to look your best. Pants that are too tight, or suit coats that are too big will make you look anything but polished no matter how much you spent on them. If you find that your clothes aren’t fitting the way they should, consider visiting a tailor to have them let out or taken in.

>> Get an iron and get rid of wrinkles: Nothing says ill prepared and lazy like a wrinkled shirt. To make sure you look your best make it a point to iron your pants and your shirts. If you find that you don’t always have time to put those important creases in your collar, consider investing in a few wrinkle free shirts and pants and keeping them nice and neat on hangers until it's time to bring them out of the closet.

>> Invest is some nice socks: Nothing ruins a strapping suit like a pair of white cotton running socks. Keep your gym socks for the gym and fill your drawers with at least five pairs of nylon dress socks that will match your suit. What if you don’t wear a suit to work? As a general rule, those white socks should be kept for sneakers only.

>> Make it a point to accessorise: Sure any man can throw a suit on and a pair of dress shoes, but it’s those who take five seconds more to add some accessories to their ensemble that really look polished and ready to meet the business world with open arms. Invest in small yet essential things like cufflinks, tie clips and watches to make sure you are always dressed your best.

>> Don’t clash with busy patterns: If you want to wear a patterned shirt, give up your pin striped pants for the day. Likewise, if you are going to wear a pair of patterned pants, choose a solid color shirt. While yes, it is occasionally fashionable to mismatch, it’s not fashionable to clash. When it comes to dressing to impress clashing is a major fashion disaster.

>> Sneakers are never the right choice: Sneakers have come a long way and they have made their way past the gym and into our everyday lives. Unfortunately, no matter how comfortable and how stylist they are, they are never appropriate footwear for a polished look. Leave your sneakers at the gym and look for classy comfort in the casual shoe.

Kenny Low from Lord’s Tailor in Bangsar Shopping Complex in Kuala Lumpur said most suits sold off the rack are not made to measure “when we make suits, we cater to each individual to make sure it fits and follow every curve of the body," he said, adding a custom-made suit always fit an individual better.

It is important to understand a customer’s taste based on current trends. “When a customer comes for consultation, we study his figure and give him fitting suits made according to his size and measurement.

On the preferred style, Low said it generally depends on the usage of the suit.

For travel, a working suit tends to be more comfortable, otherwise, generally most suits nowadays are slim and form fitting.

Low said a good suit, made of good quality material, can usually last up to two years “A suit normally comprise of jacket and pants with matching material which is seasonal and goes according to trend. “General business suits usually favour darker shades and tend to look more formal,” he added.

Source: 1klassifieds, New Straits Times, Saturday, August 29, 2009
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Man Accessories

2009-08-27T02:08:00.000-07:00

Styles That Maketh The Man

You have to admit that it is easier to dress a man. There’s no need to accessorise too much, or put on make-up. The rule of thumb for a man who wants to dress up well is – less is more.

Now that the number of fashion-conscious men out there is growing, we have to acknowledge that guys may look for a fashion tip or two. Read on.

Wristwatch

One of the first things that women notice on a man is the watch he is wearing. The watch tells a lot about someone, so what better watch for a man than a Jaeger LeCoultre?

Almost every man wants to be the proud owner of a Jaeger LeCoultre. The Grande Reverso range is one of the brand’s most popular lines. The company introduced the reversible watch in 1931, which was a big hit with British army officers stationed in colonial India, especially among those who played polo.

Back then, there were no watches that could withstand the rigours of a polo match.

Since then, the Jaeger LeCoultre’s Grande Reverso has gone through a series of transformations, culminating in the Grande Reverso 976 and Grande Reverso 986 Duodate.

The Grande Reverso 976 emphasises its horological distinction where the hour and minute hands glide around the dial. The watch is designed with a geometrical Art Deco appeal. There’s also a small seconds display that forms the watch’s fourth rectangle within the other three.

Other details are the inner minute track zone with classic transferred Arabic numerals and the famous steel, pink-gold case. The workings of the proprietary mechanical manually-wound caliber 976 can be seen through the sapphire crystal case-back. This range is tagged from RM22,300 per pair.

The Grande Reverso 986 Duodate features dual displays on twin dials – the classic look of a Reverso. The silvered front dial shows the time in the reference time zone. There is a broad rounded date display arching across the top with its Clous de Paris hobnail pattern. The Grande Reverso 986 Duodate is priced at RM31,500.

Briefcase/Wallets/Namecard Holder

Leather can be a man’s best friend. Alfred Dunhill is one of the favourite brands among men. The brand presents its Autumn/Winter Collection 2009, called the Sidecar Gunmetal Colour Leather Collection.

Coloured leather is the in-thing now and this collection comprises a formal and classic Dunhill shape in grained leather with masculine brushed gunmetal hardware.

The choice of colours are red, navy and quintessential black.

Targeting a man who is always on the go, there are coats for billfold wallets, business card cases and briefcases.

My favourite item in this collection is the Sidecar Navy Double Document case. It is a double zip briefcase with a back flat pocket and internal compartments. The briefcase is ideal for the businessman who doesn’t want to appear to be too serious to others.

Clothes/Shoes

Clothes are always a bit tricky. Bottega Veneta recently launched its Fall/Winter 2009/10 Collection which could just be what the style doctor ordered.

The star of the collection is the cardigan. The designers opted for the subtle approach for the cardigans. The colours used are bone, ash, graphite, gray, brown and truffle brown, while the materials are washed and weathered fabrics and leather.

Other items in the collection are pants, shirts, jackets and suits. Fabrics are cotton, denim and corduroy, cotton-and-linen velvet while the leathers are deerskin, calf, lamb, and goat.

Also available are the knits of merino, alpaca, cashmere and other yarns custom-dyed for effect. These materials are lightweight and soft.

There is also a range of thick soled shoes with rounded toes as well as thick-soled short boots and brawny tasseled loafers.

- Compiled by Zuhaila Sedek.

Source: Life & Times, New Straits Times, August 24, 2009

Always in Fashion

2009-08-11T04:55:00.000-07:00

Technology has changed the business world, but the day of the business card is far from over. Card readers and scanners, and electronic versions of business cards stored on mobile phones have not done away with the simple impact that a well-executed business card can deliver.

Just as we judge one another by the quality of the clothes we wear, a business card too provides cues as to how wealthy, successful and professional we are.

These cues form what branding consultants call the "first impression".

In fact, business cards are so powerful, branding consultants describe them as mini billboards - mini because they are small and cost a fraction of the price of the larger ones.

First impressions are so important in everybody's private and professional lives that many people engage a branding firm to help create the right look for their card.

Whether you are a job applicant talking to prospective employers, or a business trying to make every contact with a new customer count, you will benefit from a card that creates a good impression.

Smart card

▪ Make it memorable. A lawyer’s business card may mimic a get-out-of-gaol free card; a painter, a swatch of colour. Be creative. Think of the last time someone gave you a business card, and you simply tossed it in the bin without a thought. You don’t want the same thing to happen to your card.

▪ Check out your competitors. You shouldn't copy them, but instead measure the quality and design you are competing against in your industry. Decide on what you need to do to make your business card stand out.

▪ Avoid cheap. Like a suit, a custom-made one looks better and increases your confidence during a meeting. You may have only one chance to make an impression, so make the most of it. If it means you have to spend a dollar per card to make the right impression, consider it money well spent.

▪ Include a picture of yourself. If you plan to leave your card in various places, with little personal presence, a photo of yourself and a bullet-point explanation of your business are useful. But be warned. Poorly taken photos will create a negative impression.

▪ Build credentials. For start-up companies, mentioning one’s doctrines or degrees can make a difference. Including business accolades and alliance logos is a good idea if they are relevant.

▪ Keep the business card simple. The more uncluttered, the easier to read and remember. Use both sides. One side for the brand, the second for details. This also gives scope to advertise the services and products you offer.

▪ Examine different finishes. After looking at a card, a recipient next experiences it by feeling it. Cards which provide an experience through touch are recalled up to four times more than business cards without one.

▪ Make it bold. Colour creates the most impact for dollar. Examine the impact your card makes up close in your hand, or on a desk a few metres away. Orange, purple and green are good colours because they are unusual. But always try to stick with colours of your brand.

▪ Think about the business card holder. Irrespective of how well the card is designed, the recipient will often see the holder first, so make sure you are comfortable with the quality. Select a holder that is durable and capable of withstanding scratches. After you have created the perfect card, think about how to give it. Always allow your clients to hand their business card first. When it is your turn, hand the card so that it faces the recipient so he can read it.

Card etiquette

▪ Accept and give cards with two hands. This is especially practiced in Asia, and is important when dealing with older business people. I remember being in a meeting once where a supplier flung his card at me from across the table. I didn’t have to be Asian to feel disrespected.

▪ Read names and titles carefully. If you are unable to pronounce the name of the person who gave you his card, now is the time to ask. Observe the card for anything that may spark a conversation. By demonstrating interest in your contact, he becomes interested in you.

▪ During a discussion, keep your contacts’ business cards at arm’s length on the surface of the table. This not only demonstrates respect but helps you address them by their correct names and titles.

▪ Have a plentiful supply of cards. At a business function or social gathering, some people take offence if they give you their card and do not receive yours. Considering how many business introductions are made through personal networking and referrals, it is surprising how little consideration and money is spent on business cards. When you calculate the cost of meeting a new customer from the time it took to identify him, call to make an appointment, drive to meet him, and then buy him coffee, can you afford not to make a positive first impression?

Source : ST/ANN
Article by Anthony Coundouris, a director at Firestarter, a sales and marketing consultancy company.

Source: Classifieds, StarMetro, Monday, September 15, 2009

Celebrate Yourself

2009-06-25T18:39:00.000-07:00

Not many people understand enjoying themselves. It is the core to being happy and healthy. It is when you celebrate yourself that you know what enjoying yourself really means.

Steps :-

1. Stop relying on external aspects like money, career, status, and mates to be happy.

2. Experiences. The more happy experiences, the more joyous you will be.

3. React calmly to situations.

4. Spend time alone and try to introspect your nature, behavior and character.

5. Tune in to the song you like most; the book you like to read; the recipe you like to cook and the person you love to be with.

6. Happiness is mutual. The more you make people around you happy, the happier you will be.

7. Try not to think, speak or act in a way that berates others, and put them on a defensive. Have something good to say at all times.

Source: 1Klassified, New Straits Times, Thursday, June 25, 2009

Steps Towards Personal Development

2009-06-25T17:11:00.001-07:00

It's not the blowing of the wind, but the set of the sail that determines your destination" ~ Jim Rohn

Have you ever stopped to consider why you get the results that you do? Do you wonder why some people seem “lucky” and are able to glide through life always achieving more while others toil daily just to make ends meet? Do you know where you want to go in life?

Where you end up in life is predominantly the result of the little choices you make each day. Small, seemingly inconsequential decisions can have a major impact on your life later on. Imagine you are on a flight and the plane is off course by just one degree, where would you arrive?

When Jim Rohn says it is the set of your sail that determines your destination, he is referring to the way you live your life every moment of every day. Setting your sail involves knowing exactly where you want to go and having a specific plan for getting there.

When you know these things, you will able to factor that information into your decision making process to ensure you are moving closer to your goals. Without the information, you will have no way of knowing where your towards decisions may lead you.

The key is to remain focused on your destination and be flexible on your route. The "how" will change, just like the wind. When that happens you must be willing and able to adjust your course, reset your sail to capitalise on the change.

The following 10 steps will help to build your personal development roadmap and set your sail to achieve your dreams:

1. Clearly identify, in writing, the results you want to achieve (your destination).

2. If possible, find pictures/images that represent your destination. This helps to make the visualization of the end result more concrete.

3. Identify all the reasons why you want to achieve these results (why do you want to arrive at your chosen destination?). They must be personal and compelling and they must be your own.

4. What will you need to learn or do differently? What critical information or skill are you lacking that is preventing you from moving forward?

5. What have you done in the past that can help you get to where you want to be in the future? What skills can you build on?

6. Who will you need to help you in your journey?

7. When do you expect to arrive? How long will it take to achieve the results you desire?

8. How will you get there? What is your plan? Think about the last step you need to accomplish before reaching your destination. Then, continue to work backwards with each step until you reach the present.

9. What will you do and how will you feel when you have reached your destination? Decide in advance how you will celebrate and appreciate your accomplishment. Use your vivid imagination to see and feel yourself achieving!

10. Choose a new destination and repeat the process, always focusing on continuous improvement and designing your future.

Get started today, setting your sail for a successful journey and take control of your personal development!

Source: 1Klassifieds, New Straits Times, Thursday, June 25 2009

Work at home opportunities: Marketing Tools Fiesta

2009-05-03T08:04:00.000-07:00

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Trust At First Sight

2009-04-30T02:01:00.000-07:00

Your image speaks loudly about who you are and impacts how you feel about yourself as well as how others perceive you.

When you look great, you will feel great about yourself and react positively and confidently. In turn, other people will react positively towards you, creating more successful opportunities in business and social relationships.

Your personal image is a powerful communicator and gives you the extra edge when it matters. There is nothing more unfortunate than allowing your image to convey the wrong impression, undermine your capabilities and ruin your chances success.

In today’s highly competitive global business arena, it takes more than academic accomplishment to attain your professional peak. As business becomes more internationally and socially oriented, the image you project is increasingly important.

Your appearance, attitude and style are as important as your smile. You can successfully manage and influence other people’s perception of you simply by projecting the right visual and behavioural style.

An effective and polished professional image will make the most of your appearance and social skills, increase your self-confidence and self-esteem and help you outclass the competition.

Here are some pointers to get you started :

Dress well

This is the first thing people notice about you. Whether you like or not, your clothes say a lot about you. What you are wearing speaks about your personality, status, professionalism, dress sense and more. Learn which colours and styles work best for you, and strive to look your best at all times. Learn to create your signature style that reflects your unique qualities, personality and lifestyle.

Make-up

For women, make-up is one of the easiest and most effective ways to update and enhance your look. The right make-up is as important as the right outfit. Wearing appropriate make-up shows that you take care of your image. People then have the perception that you care for your work and life too.

Eye contact

This is one of the most important aspects of dealing with others, especially people you have just met. Maintaining good eye contact shows respect and interest in what they have to say. If you don’t look at someone when you are talking to them, you might be perceived as aloof, shy or unfamiliar with what you’re talking about. Even worse, the signal you send says that you are neither listening nor interested. Nothing is more detrimental to your credibility and trustworthiness than your inability to make eye contact.

Smile

A sincere smile will break barriers and draw people to you like a magnet. A warm and friendly smile is one of your most powerful and winning assets. We all want to do business with people we like. If two people have equal skills and qualifications and only one of them is warm and personable, that person has a better chance of landing the position. Letting your personality show through your smile is a winning strategy.

Firm handshake

This communicates self-confidence. Place your hand palm-to-palm with the other person’s, grasp firmly and shake. A soft, limp handshake indicates you are a spineless person, while the killer crush makes people think you are overly aggressive.

Body language

Communication can occur without any words being spoken. Your body sends signals, sometimes deliberately, sometimes unconsciously. Picture the following body movements: a shrug, rolling of the eyes, a frown, massaging the temples and a big yawn. There is a meaning conveyed in each of those gestures. So be aware of the message your body language is sending and make sure it is positive.

Good posture

The way you sit, stand and walk says a lot about your attitude, professionalism and values. No matter how much money you spend beautifying yourself, a hunched, slouched posture destroys the whole effect. Good posture spells confidence. Learn to project yourself positively and confidently in your visual poise and posture.

Source:
Article by Sally Tang, image consultant and principal trainer at Divine Image International.

Star Metro, January 10, 2008

Look Like A Winner

2007-11-13T09:51:00.000-08:00

Look Like A Winner
By Elaine Heng

Many people have misconceptions about the term 'image consulting', believing it to be all about giving advice on how to be fashionable. Some even feel that image consulting is only for the rich and famous, beauty queens or model wannabes.

But image consulting is not about following the fashionable crowd. As Napoleon Bonaparte once said:"Fashion condemns us to many follies; the greatest is to make ourselves its slave."

Image consulting, instead, takes a more holistic approach to appearance.Its guides people to achieve a well-groomed appearance, and improves their communication skills and etiquette so that they can act appropriately and confident in any situation.

Image consulting is for everyone. Children aged between 9 and 12 years, for example, can attend social graces and dining etiquette courses to improve their social skills. Well-behaved children are always more welcome than those who are not.

Good manners not only the foundation for future success in their lives and careers, but will also give them confidence in handling social situations as they mature.

Are you returning to work after an absense of a couple of years? Do you have a job interview, or an important meeting or a first date? Or maybe you just want to revamp your image. Whatever your situation, if you look the part, you are more likely to act the part.

When you look good, you will feel good about yourself. Subsequently, you are more likely to project yourself positively and act confidently. An attractive image will encourage much better responses from others.

Your image is like your personal advertisement. It contributes strongly to your impact and influence in the workplace and in social circles and gives you the edge when it matters.

Whether you are male or female, young or old, in the workplace or based at home, image consulting will help to improve your appearance and change the way you feel about yourself. Expert advice from image consultants on manners, business and dining etiquette is always useful.

An image consultant help you develop life-long skills to enable you to look your best and act professionally. She will work on your image based on your physical characteristics, personality, lifestyle and occupation.

for instance, she may do a colour analysis to find out which colours best suit you. That will be followed up with a figure and wardrobe personality analysis to find out what clothes you look good in. You can also ask for a make-up and hairstyling demonstration to top off your head-to-toe makeover.

An image consultant also offers personal shopping services for people who want professional advice when buying clothes, as well as advice on deportment.

For executives who need to improve their networking skills, tips on body language, and social, business and dining etiquette will help them navigate social functions with confidence.

Find an image consultant whom you are comfortable with. You will have to be very open with her about your issues with your appearance, figure flaws and any other concerns. An efficient image consultant will help you achieve your objectives and advise you frankly on where and how to improve your image.

It does not end here. With the advice and guidance, it is up to you to work on your unique image and style in a consistent and confident manner.

Remember, you never get a second chance to make a good first impression, so make the best out of it and become the stylish and confident person you have always wanted to be!

About Author
Elaine Heng is the principal image consultant/trainer, Elaine Heng Image Consultancy

Source: The Star, Saturday, November 10, 2007
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Personal Branding

2007-08-31T22:50:00.000-07:00

Personal Branding

To succeed in your career and keep a head of competitiors, you have to build up a strong brand image for yourself

Have you wondered why Porah Winfrey's talk show is still one of the most popular on TV? Or why Madonna is still such a popular pop singer after more than two decades?

The answer lies not only in the talents possessed by these individuals but something beyond that as well. These personalities have branded themselves well, and they make a conscious effort to do things that improve their brand image.

As businesses become more and more competitive, there are many people out there who offer the same products or services as you do. Whether you are a senior executive, the president of your own company or a worker in a small organisation, you need to stand out from other people so that you can be in control of your business or career.

Personal branding is a powerful way of communicating the unique promise of value which you offer to your boss or clients. As management guru Tom Peters said in his book, The Brand You 50 (Reinventing Work): "Regardless of age, regardless of posiion, regardless of the business we happen to be in, all of us need to understand the importance of branding. We are the CEOs of our own companies: Me, Inc."

Here are 6Ps to help you make your personal brand come alive:

1. Personal
Like any other good marketing plan, you must begin by understanding your true self. Remember, you are an original-there is no one else quite like you. What do you stand for? What are your beliefs? Jot down a few phrases that describe your unique value, vision, purpose and passion. Take some time to discover your strengths, weaknesses and hidden talents. Ask yourself what impacts you the most and what drives you.

2. Perception
It is imperative that you be aware of how you are communicating yourself to those around you. In this area, you will need to know your attributes and how others perceive you as an individual Develop a focus group comprising close friends, colleagues and family members to ask, collate responses and consolidate their perceptions about you. For example, are you seen as reliable, trustworthy or adventurous with a natural instinct for business?

3. Position
You must know your target audience and business or job competitors. How can you stand out unless you know whom you are standing with? When people see your name or face consistently over a period of time, they will assume that you have something special and that you must be successful. Having your own brand keeps you visible within the marketplace as it sends out a clear message about you that makes you worth contacting.

4. Performance
Establish yourself as an expert in your field because expertise can bring you increased recognition, allowing you to position yourself well in the hearts and minds of your target audience. Get good testimonials from your satisfied customers. As an employee, create an outstanding portfolio of your past accomplishments. Create a personal mission statement and tagline. Seek out new and challenging assignments that will build your brand. Write articles to showcase your knowledge and get them published or, better still, give speeches or presentations to share your expertise and achievements.

5. Promote
You can have an amazing brand, but if no one knows about it, you will not go ahead. Nothing in marketing is more powerful than a promotion tool called word-of-mouth. What your network of friends, colleagues, clients and customers say about your brand is what the market will untimately gauge as the value of the brand. If you do not have a personal website, now is the time to buy a domain (such as myname.com) and let the world know about it. Take your personal image seriously because your appearance is the packaging will either attract or detract people from your product.

6. Planning
Make an appointment with yourself at least twice a year to re-evaluate your personal brand statement. Also, obtain honest and helpful feedback from your focus group on your brand performance, value and growth. There will always be competing brands ready to fill in any gap that you leave, so you must work consistently to close the gap. The great thing about personal branding is that it works for everyone, no matter what business sector you are in or whether you own a start-up or an established company.

Generally, people work with you for three main reasons:
>>They know
>>They like your character or reputation; and
>>You create value.

When you know youself, what you offer and what makes you unique, your business or career will progress more effectively.

Source: June Tan, The Star Metro Classified, Saturday 1, September 2007