Along with the need for enhancing the image of
organisations felt for long, comes the need to build the Employee image. In
short, along with Employer Branding, a major function of HR, comes now the need
for an Employee Branding.
Everyone remembers that very
important day in their lives, be it the Campus selection interview, wedding,
first overseas meeting or any other major event when we had to make an
impression either personally or professionally. A recent article in the papers
mentioned the huge amounts men spent on personal grooming, to look and feel
well. Women have been traditional spenders on this count. Wannabe brides and grooms
prepare for months in advance to look their best for the most eventful occasion
of their lives.
Corporates have always felt the
need for presenting themselves better at every forum. And over the years, the
need for improving their corporate image especially through its people has
gained considerable attention as an essential prop when doing business
internationally.
The ABCs of Image( Appearance,
Behaviour, Communication), help make those willing to undergo a transformation,
more poised, polished and confident with one’s own authentic style. One may be
tall, short, obese or even the most self conscious; these programs have helped
transform persons in a manner that help
most revel in their own potential, leading on to tremendous success in the way
they conduct themselves.
A person’s appearance directly affects
his credibility, capabilities, body language and others’ perception about him. While
for individuals, the impact would be restricted to a few close associates, for corporates,
it could make or mar their business, especially where the global standards are
concerned. One’s image speaks volumes even before the handshake or introductory
remarks.
The Power of the Glance- the 3
second window one gets before actual exchange of words, is critical given the tremendous
demand on one’s time and the quicker one is able to sum up a person, the
faster the chance of closing a deal. In
a competitive market one needs more than just a smile and a firm handshake to
move things. Image experts now work on a person from head to toe, not just the
physical aspects, but also the inner self and feelings; all to build the
personal brand. Experts teach individuals how to take control of their image, to
project an image that helps others regard you more favourably. By combining
personal and professional aspects of one’s life, Image consultants help create
a powerful presence that enables one to:
1. Have
the right clothes selection for different occasions
2. Dress
attractively befitting one’s physical body shape
3. Choose
the right words to present a case,
4. Leave
a lasting impression on the audience.
Image Consulting is a young
concept and has some leading practitioners such as Judith Rasband, Ferial
Youakim and other well established institutions around the world, offering an
array of programs to both budding consultants as well as corporates. In India, Image
consulting is more recent but fast growing to be a major player with a large
number of corporates and individuals getting more conscious of the need to
project themselves more professionally both for their personal as well as professional
circles. Increasing globalisation is exposing corporates to the international
arena where business demands are more stringent and cultural strains different,
with different dress codes, etiquette, body language and communication rules.
India’s acknowledged technical talent and business accumen find major hurdles
in projecting the right image, often leaving them behind others from emerging
countries.
There is therefore a crying need
for the Indian corporates to transform themselves to be more presentable before
the world. Our individually brilliant professionals need to repackage
themselves in an image easily understood by the rest of the world. The HR and
Training community must become more aware of the areas where such Image
management is needed, not just for the overseas market but also to overhaul the
current levels of image maintenance. Hence management schools, professional
institutes, political academies as well as anyone who needs to be in the public
eye, is getting more conscious of the image factor in their lives.
Having been introduced to Image
Consulting by a few friends who have transformed themselves after undergoing
these programs, I thought it fit to bring to the notice of my fellow HR
professionals and all senior functionaries, the need to have a serious look at
how we can make considerable improvements in the way we run and manage our
image. As we have all been advised from our young days; first impressions
create a lasting impact. And in these hectic days, the time available to make
that first impression is extremely limited, as short as 3 seconds. So let us
spend some time planning for those 3 seconds.
Your comments on the need to get
involved in the Image Management process are most welcome.
Job Xavier
98923 29188
jobxavier@hotmail.com
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