Better Business Tips and Trends

Better Business Tips and Trends

ByReen Waterman

This week here are 3 great tips to build your business centering around something we take for granted–professionalism.

Whatever product or service you sell, it’s important to remember that you are your own billboard. Albert Mehrabian, a professional body language researcher (yes, these people do exist!) studied body language and discovered these important statistics about a face-to-face conversation:

                                    Fifty-five percent of communication is NON-VERBAL.

(How you dress, act, and your facial expressions.)

                                    Thirty-eight percent of communication is what you SPEAK.

(Your tone of voice, inflection, and grammar.)

                                    Seven percent is the actual WORDS.

                                    (What you say.)

So, the more professional you are, the better are your chances of increasing your business. Consider implementing these tips to enhance your professionalism:

1. Become an effective communicator.

The adage “perception becomes reality’ is true in business and relationships. How people perceive you becomes their reality concerning you. If you communicate professionally, you enhance your likelihood of success. Becoming a powerful communicator requires active listening, the ability to convey information clearly, and being empathetic. Watch this great video for tips on becoming a better communicator: 7 Tips for Clear, Concise Speech

2. Dress for Success.

Since over half of in-person communication is nonverbal, it is imperative to dress professionally. While it is true that business has shifted to a more business casual approach, you enhance your success rate by dressing better. Dress appropriately for the business and industry where you work. Whatever you wear, be sure your clothes do not show signs of wear, stains, or wrinkles. Wearing clothes in disrepair or that do not fit properly conveys a  nonverbal suggestion to your potential customer that the way you treat yourself is the way you will treat them. You may be losing sales without ever knowing why. Watch this quick video for some pointers. Why Dressing for Success Works

3. Practice Time Management.

Benjamin Frankling was first credited with saying, “Time is money.” Time is priceless and we all live at such a harried pace that time management is essential to success. Being late for meetings displays a lack of respect for the other person. While things do happen, plan for the unexpected. If you are going to be late, call and let the customer know what is happening and your expected time of arrival (ETA).  My rule of thumb is, “You can always be early and never late.” Plan your travel time to arrive early and you can compose yourself, arrange paperwork, rehearse key points you plan to say, and even pray. I always believe in the ACB rule—“Always Carry a Book.” In case of traffic accidents or your customer being late, you can redeem the time by reading.

Watch this great video on Time management tips, “How To Master The Art of Time Management In 11 Minutes .”

So, as you begin 2024, start with a new and fresh approach. Take time to evaluate your professionalism and find areas where you’d like to improve. See others notice the subtle difference and begin positively taking note. Watch as your business and success grow proportionately and your confidence soars.  

Reen Waterman

Reen D. Waterman, Jr., with a successful business background in real estate for more than 35 years (where he co-owned two real estate companies), became the professional real estate columnist for APG, Media of Chesapeake, a national media outlet, with his column “About the House.” He is the primary author of the couple’s most recent book, “Helpful Homeowner Hacks” and prolific magazine writer for a number of regional magazines.