Make a Great First Impression
Best ways to make a great impression -- whether you are trying
to win over a new business contact or your future in-laws...
Let the joke be on you. The problem with most jokes is that
they’re made at someone else’s expense, whether it’s a Polish joke,
a blonde joke or almost any other kind. The one kind of joke that
never hurts anyone’s feelings is the one aimed at yourself. Pick
something small and silly that happened to you recently. This will
endear you to others.
Be unforgettable. We knew a marketer with a client who loved
baseball. She found an unusual baseball, bought it and sent it to
the client. With that one unforgettable gift, she cemented a
lasting professional relationship.
Don’t send a holiday card. Nearly every company sends its
clients and associates cards around the Christmas holidays. With
many holiday cards coming in, yours is just one in the crowd.
Instead, send cards throughout the year on truly special occasions
-- on a client’s birthday, his child’s graduation or when his
favorite team wins a game.
Remember people’s names. The best way to remember a person’s
name is through vivid images. You can associate a new person with a
famous person. Example: If you meet a Tom, think of Tom Cruise and
imagine the new Tom on a cruise ship.
Show respect. An easy way to show respect is to actively listen.
One way to do this is to listen in images. If the person you’re
listening to is talking about a skiing trip she took, imagine her
racing down the mountain. Next, when it’s your turn to speak, pause
for a second before responding. It shows that you were really
listening instead of just waiting for your turn to speak.