Branding Your Business: Personal Appearance & Presence

Branding your business is a necessary step in growing your business. Business owners need to take an occasional look at how or what they and their employees are wearing. Branding is also how you carry yourself, your presence. My five tips for branding your business with your personal appearance and presence will help you grow your business as you present the image that attracts customers that will buy from you.

1. Clothing: Do your employees wear a uniform? Is the uniform faded or torn? Do you have a built in timeline for replacing faded t-shirts or polo shirts? When customers look at you or your employees do they see clean and professional looking or industry appropriate people? Business owner must make time to review the workplace uniform to ensure it is representing the business appropriately.

2. Shoes: Business owners do your employees wear shoes that are covered with grass stains or held together with duct tape? Shoes are one item that should not be overlooked. Shoes can also pose a safety hazard if the soles are worn.

3. Grammar: It only takes someone a few seconds to form an opinion of you and your employees. Do not let poor grammar invite your customers stop doing business with your business. Customers expect to do business with industry experts. When your employees use poor grammar or lack self confidence when speaking with customers the customer is left with the impression that your employee does not know his or her job.

4. Body Language: Do your employees smile? Do they appear confident and knowledgeable? Do they stand up straight and hold their head high? Business owners when was the last time you praised your employees and let them know they were doing a great job? Do you provide training on new merchandise so that your employees can answer customer questions?

5. Eye contact: Eye contact is probably one of the most important things that will make or break the way people view you and your employees. Customers want to do business with people who can look them in the eye. If your employee is painfully shy encourage him or her to practice making eye contact when speaking to you and other employees. Praise your employee when you see him or her making appropriate eye contact and exhibiting great customer service. Your employee may not be aware that he or she is not making appropriate eye contact.

Branding your business is a necessary step for business growth. When your appearance represents the image you want for your business you will be compensated by increased customer traffic and increased sales. Personal appearance cannot be overlooked or ignored as part of branding your business. People do notice the little things.