Networking And Your Mechanic

What would you think if your mechanic came to service your car in a crisp dress shirt and tie? I recently attended a recruiting event for a network marketing company and the guest speaker; let’s call him Jordan (a six figure earner for the company). Jordan gave an impressive and motivating speech. One of the things he focused on with the group of 40 or so middle class potential “new recruits” was that of their image. As my favorite topic was brought up I looked the room over… again, and I saw many well dressed individuals and a few others who at least made an effort to look professional. Still a few more dressed like they were between the pizza place and the couch for the second half of the big game. I have no qualm with jeans and your favorite shirt, but when attending a possible business venture, really? Jordan went on to exemplify how important it was to market your self in a professional manner no matter what your service or product. His point was that if you appear to take your job/product seriously then that puts your potential client’s apprehension that much more at ease. I couldn’t agree with “Jordan” more. Take this scenario as an example… You walk into “Oil Change America” and you ask for the usual oil change, only instead of a guy covered in grease and wearing the traditional shop gear, a clean cut gentleman wearing a clean white shirt and a tie comes to take your keys. Your first thought would be wow; I must be a valued customer if the shop owner is coming in to change my oil! Right? Or maybe you are pessimist and you think it’s the government, there to plant a gas guzzling device under your hood. My point is simply if you take the time to dress considerably well for anyone whom you are asking something of, they will notice your efforts to be considerate, especially if they work in a field that you wouldn’t normally expect it! Attorneys, CPAs, bankers, BMW salesmen aside, if you work in a business that expects less, why not offer more?

BACK UP & LOOK OUT!

This post is not in tune to my usual focus but I thought you may find it interesting none the less. Do you have your parent’s and children’s phone numbers memorized? How about your best friend’s, your boss, or current clients? Imagine the feeling of reaching for your ever-trusted cell phone, the great keeper of all communication… and it being empty!!! This weekend that image became my reality. I am (still) the proud owner of an Apple iPhone and this weekend I received a “wake up call” that I will not soon forget. Friday marked the release of the new 3G iPhone, and Apple’s latest update, 2.0 for existing iPhone users. And what a great update it was, adding real-time GPS navigation, updated email and contact software, many new ingenious applications to add to the 1000’s already available, the grass was green on our side of the fence this weekend. Almost. As I went to bed Saturday night I connected my phone to my Mac excited to sync 2.0. Unfortunately the weekend’s excitement went to sleep with me, and apparently forgot to wake up Sunday morning. I however, woke up, went to my computer and was greeted with a strange yet vaguely familiar screen on my phone. “Oh yes” I remembered, it was the same screen that appeared when I first took my phone out of the package! “Oh Sh*t!” Sometime between going to bed and waking up Apple’s entire network crashed due to the over whelming activity from new iPhone users and current owners uploading the new software. Whoever had their phone syncing during the crash was exposed to all sorts of horrible surprises upon their return. All my contact info, phone numbers, emails, addresses… gone! My calendar events, note pad, photos… gone, my stomach, on the floor between my feet. After picking up my phone, and my stomach, I headed straight to the Apple store in Keystone at the Crossing. I was greeted by a mob of people carrying towers and phones in their hands; apparently I wasn’t the only victim. After getting a service technician I was told about the network crash and that my phone had been “locked”. They politely took my phone, “unlocked” it and told me once I was home, to re-sync with itunes and everything would be restored. Hardly. My music, video, and podcasts all reappeared after a 4-hour re-sync. But my phones data was nowhere to be found. The next three days were spent on hold for the most part… “Due to the high volume of calls we are receiving you may want to try your call later” said the computerized prompt from Apple’s customer care line. I opted to wait, and wait I did. Once I got through, the rep was pleasant, calm, friendly, and spoke clear English! Trivial as this may seem, considering the situation I was in, it was very comforting. The kind voice talked me through a few restore processes and at the end I was told that there was nothing I could do to restore the lost data unless I had it stored somewhere else. “Well….” I said, “I have my calendar backed up to iCal, my emails stored in Gmail, and my phone numbers stored in… uh, my phone.” Apparently it is a wise idea to store your phone numbers somewhere other than just your phone. What a tuff lesson this is going to be, tracking down old phone bills, making phone calls to random numbers, digging through 100’s of business cards, etc, etc, etc. But as my network partner put it best… “At least this will be a great way to get in touch with my fellow networkers and clients! Thanks Amy, for shining a little light on my cloudy day! As I am not alone in this endeavor, if you happen to get one of these odd “who I am speaking with?” phone calls over the next few days… be kind!

BUSINESS CASUALTY

Business casual is driven by the first generation of children who were raised by parents that experienced the casualization of America in the 60s. These children were the first to go through school without dress codes while watching their parents go to work with the same guidelines. Managing your appearance no longer was necessary education and thus the decline of proper dress. It is becoming apparent that the value of clothing needs to be reestablished as many people have lost sight of using our appearance to aid in achieving goals. I am not against dressing down per say, I simply believe there is a lack of structure needed to keep coworkers on a level playing field. If we are left unguided in what is appropriate, and what you grabbed off the bedroom floor this morning, then what’s to stop us from subconsciously relaying the same carefree attitude to our job performance? I recently spoke with a gentleman concerned that casual Fridays would lead to clients coming into his professional business getting an unprofessional first impression. No need to reiterate upon first impressions. I think that is what most people tend to neglect when arguing that casual dress in the workplace is acceptable. It is ultimately up to the decision makers, the so called leaders of the company to remind their employees of our parent’s old adage of “Do as I say, not as I do.” There is no arguing with success but many of us have not achieved it yet, therefore the need for us to maintain a professional appearance is detrimental to achieving our professional goals. “Dress for the position you desire, not the position you are in.”

Hoosier Sartorialist Returns

Hoosier Sartorialist Returns “A picture speaks 1,000 words.” And sometimes, so do people, without saying anything. I had the privilege of participating in a seminar last night conducted by Indiana native Scott Shuman, a.k.a. The Sartorialist. Whether you know him from his long running column in GQ Magazine, his blog site, thesartorialist.blogspot.net, his ranking as one of fashion’s 100 most influential people, or not at all, it was a pleasure to hear him speak. He started his lecture by humbly pointing out that what he does, in the grand scheme of life is… well… miniscule. Although it may not rank to high on the priority list, to some it is their only artistic outlet to express them selves. By walking the streets snapping photos of “real” people he has created a worldwide awareness of how people can speak to others without words, one of my personal beliefs. Throughout the evening Scott showed us photos from his archives that when attached to a story, became more than just a good photograph. Some transformed into mind-opening images of the everyday person that, even the least judgmental of us, would have categorized incorrectly. From NYC’s “Bum” who turned out to be Ralph Lauren’s leading vintage buyer. To the pair of gentleman dressed almost identical, one, a Rastafarian looking fellow from South Africa, the other, an elderly, scholarly looking fellow who turned out to be one of Europe’s leading academics. And my favorite, the little old Japanese man who unknowingly influenced the Sartorialist himself in his wardrobe choices.

Shedding The Corporate Noose

“I don’t like wearing a tie!” Does this sound like you? This is a commonly uttered phrase in my line of work. With the abundance of formal events that arise along side the budding foliage of spring, the occasions to shave that stubble, clean those nails, and don that dreaded formalwear are right around the corner. Weddings, Galas, Zoobilation, Charity functions, etc., all require you to dress to impress. “So how, many of my clients ask, can I pull this off without a *!@# tie?” Due to surge of corporate casual there is a simple answer, the ever-versatile pocket square. While adding a bit of color or pattern to your shirt and jacket, it can serve as a substitute for the “corporate noose.” Now don’t misunderstand me, my personal opinion is “Black tie optional” means wear a tie, but this isn’t about me. With trends adapting to a new generation of casually influenced fashion, once standard rules are now considered options. A high quality wool black suit, or tux, accompanied by an equally exceptional dress shirt, top button undone, and a coordinating pocket square can create a stylish presentation. Adding a vest to your ensemble can enhance your look as well. STYLING YOUR POCKET SQUARE Poufy This exuberant style works best for the most ostentatious. There’s nothing reserved about all this volume, or about you. Be sure it looks inattentive, not too structured. Pointing (Crown) For the gentleman who chooses the middle road. The structured edges make a bold statement of an otherwise modest style, ideal for the proposal makers and decision makers alike. Straight Don’t let the name mislead you. The straight fold is widely believed to be the most sophisticated. It’s for the gentleman who needn’t speak to be heard.

Shhhh! They're On The Phone

At one point or another we have all read or overheard suggestions for proper etiquette when using our beloved cell phones in public. Although on an almost daily basis I encounter people who seem to have left their manners at home. Example; I was at the bank the other day and watched as the poor teller had to try to get a word in edgewise with the guy standing in front of her as he carried on a casual conversation over the phone. How rude! And what can be more inappropriate than sitting down to dinner with a group of friends/family and having someone at the table answer a phone call and carry on while the rest of the party sits quietly as not to “interrupt” the conversation? I won’t even tap into the drama you could create taking a call while on a date! With the advance of technology, cell phones have made our lives easier and much more productive. We now have instant access to communicate with anyone nearly anywhere in the world. The flip side to this is now we are almost too accessible, especially at times when it is not appropriate. For instance, I was riding in a friend’s car the other afternoon on our way to lunch when their phone rang. To my surprise the call was answered, carried on (in more detail than I needed to hear) over the car’s speaker system via Bluetooth. And to make the situation worse my friend never mentioned to the person on the other end of the line that I was in the car, and that they were on speakerphone! What an invasion of the caller’s privacy. I don’t think it’s really necessary that there be a list of Do’s & Don’ts posted here but rather a simple reminder to be courteous of the people who are actually in front of you when your phone rings. We should be able to tolerate a person talking on the phone while in an elevator, or waiting in line, or at the doctor’s office. As long as the person is using a respectable tone I don’t see the difference in having a conversation with the person standing next to them, or on the other end of a call. However, if you are in the company of others it is no longer personal time, it becomes everyone’s time. Spend your personal time as you please, but don’t cash in time spent in the company of others without first investing some courteous thought. Writer’s Thoughts: Remember as a kid, being disciplined at home for not being quiet and courteous while someone was on the phone? Imagine one day having to extend that courtesy in public while a nearby stranger is on a cellular call…. Hey, it could happen!

On Public Trial

Take a look around you, in a restaurant, at the grocery store, at your place of business. The way we look, the way we carry ourselves, these are all part of who you are. The way Americans carry themselves today is strongly influenced by our need to conform to society. On one side we are manipulated into thinking we need the most popular brands and designer attire to convey who we are. Dolce & Gabanna, Chanel, Coach, Polo, Prada, Nike, Burberry, Calvin Klein, Dooney & Burke, well… you get the point, we have been influenced that we need their names on our bodies to solidify what we represent. How about quality of construction, the use of better fabrics, a product built for longevity as apposed to instant, and temporary, gratification? On the flip side we've been taught that attention to personal style, or being “fashion conscious” is vain and superficial. We are led to believe that our attire has no significance and should not influence how we are perceived by others. No wonder we live in such a tense society with obesity and poverty becoming more commonplace. How many of us were taught to develop the mental strength and independence that is necessary to cope with all of these conflicting influences. Fashionable brands and the latest trends are what lack in value, not the people who choose to wear them. You can remain conscious of your appearance without becoming a slave to popular trend. The way we carry ourselves, our posture and presence, are all equal in reflecting who we are. Your appearance, like it or not, affects how others respond to you. Our attitudes, our roles in society, and even our ambition are all being judged daily by everyone you come in contact with throughout the day. How many people judged you yesterday?

Are You Acceptable?

We live in a country that has promoted super sized value meals, daily drink specials/happy hours, business casual work attire, Crocs... are we so relaxed as a culture that we opt for shoes that we don't have to bend over and tie to wear? And when did "relaxed" carry over from our personal time to "on the job?" Isn't relaxing supposed to be the reward for a hard days work?

Most of us have accepted these unhealthy concepts into our lives without a second thought.

Our children are left under the supervision of TV's, computers, video games... all driven by the concept of "user friendly". How do we learn to nurture imagination when everything is set up to function so efficiently that there is little or no thought involved?

It strikes me as odd that as a whole we are comfortable with just being acceptable. Is acceptable good enough? Is it ok to be just acceptable at our jobs, at our parenting, at our relationships?

The Appearance of Professionalism

Do you take pride in the number of years you've lived? Does your attire represent what you have to offer to every new person you meet? Time spent unconsciously overcoming your appearance in the other person’s eyes pays no dividends.

Some may argue that they should not be judged by their appearance. I agree... to an extent. I agree that we should not make a morale judgement based on some one's appearance. However I, we, your peers, are all obligated to make a professional judgement based on your appearance.

What does your appearance say?