Diane Parente, AICI, CIP

Maintain a Professional Image while traveling
By Diane Parente, AICI CIP

The professional image secret to stress-free traveling is to stay light and unencumbered. You can do this with proper planning and careful consideration. Make sure you write down credit card numbers and keep them in a safe place, so you can cancel them if they are lost or stolen.

How To Pack

Put each hanging item in a plastic cleaning bag to avoid hard wrinkles. Then you can either fold it in accordion-fashion in a standard suitcase or hang it in a garment bag. If you use the accordion style, layer clothing to prevent wrinkling.

Carry an itemized list of what is in each of your bags for insurance purposes, in case your luggage is lost or stolen.

Cover shoes with shoe mitts or socks to prevent them from getting scratched or from soiling other garments.

Roll belts, hosiery, and scarves. Accessories should be packed in jewelry bags or similar bags to prevent them from snagging garments. Expensive or fine pieces should be carried on your person or in your handbag for added safety. However, you may feel more comfortable leaving good jewelry at home and taking better imitations or costume jewelry.

By Diane Parente, AICI, CIP

On stage all eyes are on you. Your clothing, as one of your props, helps to set the tone for your presentation. Your physical presence can lead the audience to tune in or tune out even before you begin to speak. Remember, you want your clothing to add to your presentation, not detract from it, because it is difficult to reverse a poor first impression.

To convey a professional image, first define the audience and your message. Then make whatever adjustments are necessary to be certain that your clothing fits the presentation, place and time. More serious presentations (for instance, those concerning financial, legal or governmental topics) call for a dark structured suit or dress with a contrasting blouse or scarf to reinforce your message. Conversely, for more informal situations (such as high technology or academia), try a lighter relaxed suit, dress, or coordinated separates (perhaps even a pantsuit). For more persuasive presentations, such as sales promotions or political speeches, try an eye-catching, distinctive jewel tone, such as ruby, royal, emerald, or purple in structured suits or dramatically styled dresses.

The following suggestions provide you with the basics on presenting an effective image on stage:

* Select clothing that is conservative, yet distinctive, such as a red suit with a dramatic cut or asymmetrical closing.

* Enhance your visibility from a distance by wearing a contrasting blouse and jacket, or a dress that contrasts with your skin color.

* If you will be moving around, select a garment that provides freedom of movement without pulling, gapping or excessively wrinkling.

* Skirt or dress hemlines should be mid-knee or longer, especially on an elevated platform where some of the audience may be looking up at you.

* Develop a signature with either accessories or clothing. Try a colorful scarf, conversational pin, unique cut of the garments, or use of color.

* Create a professional image by wearing pumps with a moderate heel, especially in a formal or conservative setting.

* Try to wear hosiery in natural or sheer tints.

* Select earrings no larger than your eyes to prevent distraction.

* Be sure your eye glasses have non-reflective lenses.

* Wear understated makeup for a smaller group and more exaggerated for a larger group (100 or more, where the light and distance may make you look washed-out to those in the back of the room.

Other Valuable Tips:

* Whenever possible, check on the background color before going to the location to be sure you have the proper contrast and balance of colors. If you feel the background is inappropriate, ask if there is a screen or other backdrop that can be used during your presentation.

* If you will be using a clip-on microphone, be sure your outfit has a lapel for the clip and a place to attach the microphone pack (on the belt or waistband).

* Be prepared to take your clothes with you and change before you go on stage. Impeccable grooming and wrinkle-resistant dressing are a must.

Public speaking is one of the best ways to promote your business. If you give more than two presentations a month, you may want to have certain designated outfits that can be worn exclusively for these engagements. By doing this you always have something appropriate to wear, even if you get a last-minute call.

Tradeshow Magnetism = How to attract and influence others more positively.
By Diane Parente, AICI, CIP

Are people flocking to your exhibit or do they consistently pass you by? You have less than a minute to make a positive impression.

Here are a few tips on how to present a professional image that is distinctive, memorable, and yet approachable.

Stand rather than sit to show energy and enthusiasm and that you are interested in people visiting your site. When you sit, it appears that you are tired and disinterested.

Greet people pleasantly with a warm, yet not exaggerated smile, and a firm handshake when appropriate. Please avoid the big smile looking as if you are advertising how white your teeth are. An overly exaggerated smile, unless it is natural, can look like a fake.

Eating at the booth may be a necessity due to the long hours. Try to avoid greeting people while chewing on your food. When you finish eating, make sure you check in the mirror to make sure you don’t have any of the remains left in your teeth. Haven’t we all be talking to someone and then checked in the mirror and oops discovered a piece of lettuce or tomato lodged in our front two teeth?

Dress in clothing that is comfortable and resembles the colors, style and brand of the company. It would be advisable for all of the employees who work the show to dress in a similar style so people can easily identify them. A word to the wise make sure the clothing is not so tight or revealing that it shows lots of skin and every curve. Remember you are selling the company’s credibility, not yourself.

As for grooming, wear your hair in a style that is natural and shiny with plenty of movement. Keep hair away from face so the people can see your eyes and expression. You want the makeup to have a natural glow, not an advertisement for a New York runway fashion model. Keep the nails buffed and on the shorter side, with a French manicure or in a neutral color. Your hands will be on display all the time while handing out brochures or business cards.

Keep jewelry to a minimum to go with the natural wholesome professional image; for example a ring, earrings and watch. When you are talking to the visitors you do not want to have any distractions.

Always keep your booth neat and tidy, just like you would your home or apartment. You and the booth are the best advertisement for the business.

Think of the trade show as an opportunity to communicate how wonderful your space is and what you can offer the public.