7 Simple Ways to Make a Brilliant First Impression in Business (That Actually Lasts)

As a strategic transformation coach, I work with clients on their personal and professional development. Many of my corporate clients are looking for ways to improve their business connections and inter business relationships. Particularly relevant when working with different nationalities- Americans trading with Japanese, Brits working with Swedish or Finnish, etc.

We all know the expression, "You only get one chance to make a first impression", right? Well, first impressions matter in work, friendships, and relationships. Business etiquette isn't about knowing which cutlery to use, it's a skill set to put you ahead of the game, to make you stand out and be memorable for the right reasons. Greetings, first meetings, even your handshake will influence the outcome. When we meet someone for the first time, we decide if that person is someone we want to spend time with and get to know better, or if they're someone we want to avoid. And once that initial impression is made, its difficult to change it. This is because once we start to avoid someone, we are less likely to learn whether our negative impression was wrong.

I am devoted to helping every client to dig deeper and try harder' to be the very ‘best' version of themselves. I don't mean just every now and then, I mean every day in every detail. I am reasonably confident that my clients would agree that I practise what I preach. I have spent a lifetime improving, refining, learning new skills and updating my own knowledge and image to project the best version of myself. I try always to lead by example. So, I am happy to share a very achievable 7-point list on how to make a best impression.

1. Keep It Simple

To keep it simple, just remember that your personal and online image needs to look professional and polished, and not over the top. Whether you like it or not, your appearance is being judged every day and by nearly everyone you come into contact with. Remember also, that many first impressions are made online and well before a face to face meeting takes place. You want to make sure your digital image and your personal image match each other and that people can tell that you are actually the same person. A filter is a wonderful thing but there is a limit and I am sure you know what l mean.

2 . Project An Image of Confidence and Success

Your professional goals matter when meeting new people as much as they matter in other areas of your life. Take a moment before you attend an event to consider what type of impression you want to make, whom  you would like to meet and what type of message you want to convey, then follow through and make those interactions happen.

3. Don't Launch First

If you really want the person you are meeting for the first time to like and trust you then you

should practise controlling your urge to launch first. Launching into your area of expertise and accomplishments doesn't impress too many people right off the bat Ironically, one of the best ways to win people's confidence is simply to let them talk first. Your first meeting with someone is not a negotiation and you don't need to take charge of the conversation. You want to be warm, interested and engaging. Small talk is a good thing when you first meet someone you are trying to make a favourable impression on.

4. Make Eye Contact

It is true that our eyes are the windows to our souls. You do however have to find a good balance between not having your window shutters closed tight but also not staring so intently that the person you are speaking with thinks you are a sociopath. Eye contact, at least in the Western world shows respect and interest. You can also show appreciation, reassurance and understanding with eye contact. There is nothing worse than having a conversation with someone who is staring out the window or constantly looking over your shoulder to see if there is someone more important or interesting to chat with. That is just plain rude!

5. Pay Attention To How Fast Or How Slowly You're Speaking

Back in the '70s, researchers created over 50 synthetic voices and played them to participants at various speeds. Increasing speech rate led participants to assume the owner of the voice was more competent. The participants who listened to the slowed down tapes rated the interviewees as less truthful, less fluent, and less persuasive. Just make sure you are not talking like Piglet or Eeyore. Somewhere in the middle is best.

6 . It Is Fine To Be Vulnerable

You'd think that with first impressions it pays to be as polished and perfect as possible, but experts say that showing your vulnerable side can be endearing and empowering. You need to exercise good judgement when to let your guard down but generally speaking, it is more acceptable these days to show that you are a real person and that you have career and life challenges just like the person you are speaking with.

7. In Person Is Always Better

When meeting an important new contact for the first time, if at all possible try to do it face to face rather than over the phone or a Zoom. First impressions are formed differently in person versus online or by video. You can better gauge how interested someone is in what you are talking about by reading their body language. If you are in a meeting and your colleagues are fiddling with their pens, or checking their phones and watches, you know that you have to: 1) adjust the tone of your voice or 2 ) use more exciting language t o capture their attention. Likewise, if colleagues and partners are actively nodding their heads and smiling, it is clear that they are engaged with you and your message.