Illustra Image Consulting Blog

Eye Lingo: The Unspoken Language of Trust

One of the main ways we communicate non-verbally is through our eye contact. It’s important to remember – whether we are in the midst of a business discussion or are meeting new acquaintances – that good eye contact is crucial. It’s one of those facets of your professional image that helps people connect with you. As they say “your eyes are the windows to your soul.” For business professionals today who are steadfast in trying to grow their businesses or take their careers to the next level, here are some tips I share with the executive clients I coach:

·       You should maintain eye contact with people with whom you are communicating to send a message that that you are genuinely interested in getting to know them or listening to their point of view.

·       When you’re in a conversation or interviewing someone and their eyes dance around the room instead of focusing on you it creates an awkward feeling and makes you wonder what are they thinking about. The best thing to do if this happens is to continue to maintain eye contact in the hope that they will rejoin you with attention.

·       If you are in a conversation for a long period of time with the same person, you want to maintain eye contact around 70% of the time. While looking at their face you can shift your gaze in the triangle around their eyes and nose so it doesn’t appear as though you are just staring at them.

·       Great eye contact sends a very powerful and positive first impression. It tells the other person you are confident, engaged, interested in having a conversation with them, and it also conveys the sense that you are trustworthy. With the recent downfall of major organizations in our economy business prospects don’t know who to trust anymore. But with great eye contact body language you are saying to the other person that they can trust you to deliver on your business commitments.

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You may, as long as you include this complete bio with it:

Sarah Hathorn is a professional image consultant, certified personal brand strategist, speaker, and author.

Her company, Illustra Image Consulting, works with high-achieving future leaders and large businesses by enhancing their corporate and personal brand image to take their businesses and careers to the next level.

Blog, Ezine & Website:  www.illustraimageconsulting.com

Copyright 2009, Sarah Hathorn, AICI CIP, CPBS

Practicing Business Etiquette at 30,000 Feet

During the past month, while flying quite a bit around the United States on various carriers, I was amazed to see how inconsiderate people have become regarding airline travel. That inspired me to write a piece about air travel etiquette in today’s world.

Traveling is definitely not as easy as it once was. But as I sat in my seat waiting for everyone to store their luggage I noticed a few common business etiquette faux pas. So here are some tips I’d like to share with you about being respectful of other people’s space and personal possessions when traveling by air in this day and age.

#1  Be respectful of the size of luggage you bring onto the plane. There is a size indicator that provides the required maximum dimensions. But on every trip I make I see a few people who have ignored those rules. In order to get their oversized luggage onboard they won’t hesitate to smash other people’s luggage that is already stowed away in the overhead compartments.

#2  Don’t move anyone’s luggage without their permission. When people can’t get their luggage directly above their seat they often just try to relocate someone else’s bag into another compartment. That is terribly rude. You should always ask before moving someone’s luggage.

#3  When seated next to someone don’t go over into his or her personal space. We all know that the airlines have added additional seats to accommodate more passengers but we still need to be respectful of the personal boundaries of others. Each of us has a sense of our own personal space, so don’t let arms and shoulders invade the space of the person sitting next to you.

#4  Be courteous regarding entering and exiting seats. When the other people in your row need to leave their seats, be accommodating as you would if people in a theatre needed to get past you. When you have a window seat, try to time your exits so that they coincide with those opportunities when one of the other people in your row has gotten up to move about the plane.

Remember that your behavior is a reflection of your professional and personal image. Although airline travel can be a challenge these days, keep a good attitude about it and be respectful of your plane mates.

Do you want to use this blog article?

You may, as long as you include this complete bio with it:

Sarah Hathorn is a professional image consultant, certified personal brand strategist, speaker, and author.

Her company, Illustra Image Consulting, works with high-achieving future leaders and large businesses by enhancing their corporate and personal brand image to take their businesses and careers to the next level.

Blog, Ezine & Website:  www.illustraimageconsulting.com

Copyright 2009, Sarah Hathorn, AICI CIP, CPBS

Mobile Manners

Our mobile phones like Blackberries, I-phones and Trios have become such a big part of our lives. It makes me wonder how we did business before we were on call 24/7. I do think we need to put our cell phones into perspective and use them for business as needed. However, we also need to take into account some business etiquette when using these virtual devices. A few months ago the Atlanta Journal-Constitution claimed, Atlanta was the #2 city most addicted to email, behind Washington. The article stated that last year Atlanta was in 12th place and has now topped several other major cities like New York and San Francisco to be ranked #2.

Here are a few of my cell phone etiquette tips to be sure you are projecting a positive image while using your cell phone to conduct business:

• Having the convenience of a cell phone doesn't justify being rude when you are with another person. In the presence of another person either turn your phone off or mute it.
• In the presence of another person, if you are expecting an important call that you must take, let the person know you are expecting an important call. Keep the call brief. Advising the person of the incoming call doesn't make the interruption seem as rude.
• Don't leave your Bluetooth headset in your ear all day. This gives people the impression that if a call comes through the call is more important than listening and conversing with them.
• When you are with a person, don't continually check your phone to see your latest emails or who is calling. This is totally rude and gives the impression to the other person that what they are saying is unimportant to you.
• You don't have to check your email at every buzz. It will be waiting for you when you have time to review your messages in private.
• Don't carry multiple cell phones on your belt buckle. One is plenty!
• If you placed a call to a client and the call is dropped, it's proper etiquette for you to place the call again.
• When you are at a sporting event, theatre, movies or a business networking event, it is good protocol to turn off or mute your phone.
• Be cautious when you text someone, they may be charged additional fees for text purposes.