BAJAN SUN MAGAZINE
DEC 2014
Professional Image & Networking Power Improvement
By Stefano Lynch
“Hiiii, I’m Paula and—” you’ve already
devalued your professional image.
Consider the following interesting questions; do
you truly understand the impact your
introduction makes on every relationship you
want to foster, do you understand its potential to
improve your professional image and
networking power?
When you say your names in a long, drawn-out
way and/or only give your first names you are
already sabotaging your position in the potential
relationship. Our opening line is one of the most
undervalued but important tools in our
professional image arsenal.
We spend so much time focusing on all the other
basic principles of making a good impression; a
firm handshake, making eye contact, not
fidgeting, business cards, and focusing making
sure to sound interested and ask the right
questions, that we totally wreck the introduction
of ourselves.
There is a lot of speculation concerning the
amount of time it takes to make a first
impression, with various experts in various
fields saying everything from a technical onetenth of a second to a more business savvyseven
seconds), either way it’s not a whole lot of time.
That crucial introduction takes about five to 10
seconds, and by then, you’ve already
subconsciously told somebody else what they
want to know about you and your professional
image.
The right way to introduce yourself is fairly
simple, first be assertive and sharp with your
salutation (it’s proven that “vocal fry,” that
creakiness that some people have at the end of
sentences, can actually hurt your professional
image and career). A crisp “hello” or “hi” will
do.
Secondly, give your full name, it comes across
much more interesting and official. It may feel
kind of ridiculous the first few times, but as with
all other good habits it will feel quite natural
after some practice. You will go from someone
with an average professional image and
presence to making that first impression more
memorable and powerful, a great foundation for
creating a more effective and lasting connection
So, hello. Stefano Ingram, Philanthropist and
Entrepreneur. Nice to meet you.
PHOTO BY: CLYDE BARNETT
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