Everything Speaks

Debra CrossEverything SpeaksFall 2011

What this is not

• Image consultation• Personal stylist session• Judgment about personal choices

What this is

• A chance to renew and refresh your message• A reminder about your institution’s message

Agenda

• Your brand• The value of deportment• Your telephone demeanor• Your electronic brand• The visual reflection of you

Defining Your Brand

• Describing your authentic self• Representing your institution• Delivering the message

7/60

On the Phone

Most people remember

only

10% of what they hear

On the Phone• Equipment– Headset, hand held, conference/speaker

phone• Have information at hand• Would it help to stand?• Be engaging• Clarify acronyms & jargon• Update your voicemail message• Respond to messages• Leave voicemail messages cleanly & clearly

The art of conversation

• What gets in the way?• Generational challenges & opportunities• Focus on the issues• Listen• What are detractors?• Why does your voice matter?

Voice

• How does voice sell your message?– Conversational tone– Volume– Vocabulary– Clarity– Uptalk

“The words you choose to say something are just as important as the decision to speak”

- Unknown

Email• Understand your institution’s standards– Font/color with professional settings– Skip text talk

• Is this message right for email?– What is the purpose?– Is it effective?

• Think about your recipient– Would I say this to the person’s face?

• Specific subject line• Use recipient’s name

Step away from the keyboard!• All caps• Be prudent with personal• Sloppy• Jokes• Loooong email messages• Overly shared• Overly bounced• Reply all• Angry• Gossip/critical/complaining• A dodge• Sarcasm• Forwarding without permission

Internet Identity

• How do you want to be perceived?– Professional– Personal

• Monitor your own name• Monitor photos• Manage your privacy settings carefully• You don’t need to share everything

Most people remember80%

of what they see

Appearance in dress

Not to be underestimated

Appearance in dress

• Doesn’t have to break the bank– Be practical• Consider multiple combinations• Pre-set options

• Know your institution’s dress code• Be appropriate – consider your setting• Casual days

Can’t go wrong

• Appropriate– Setting– Age– Task

• Fit – a tailor can be your best friend• Pressed• Updating doesn’t have to be “trendy”• Care for your clothes• Grooming• Tattoos & piercings• Authentic

Don’t forget shoes and accessories

Be authentic

• Radiate confidence, credibility, competence• Highlight your best self• Don’t let your appearance get in the way of

your message

Resist!

• Poor fit• Worn out clothing• Logo tee shirts• Overuse of perfume/cologne• Baseball caps• Head to toe trends• Casual wear• Break lines where they shouldn’t be• Too revealing• Beach wear• Shear or overly clingy attire

Do!

• Dress for the job that you want; not the one you have

• Rather than choosing based on how your feel, choose how you want to feel

• Have a professional photo taken

• Remember –You own your brand–You’re sending your message and that

of your institution–You can be a leader

Thank you!

Questions?

Sources

• Working World 101, Bridget Graham & Monique Reidy, 2009• Face To Face – How to reclaim the personal touch in a digital world, Susan

RoAne• Dress Your Best, Clinton Kelly & Stacy London, 2005• Emily Post’s Etiquette, Peggy Post• Blogs.hbr.org• Online.wsj.com• Jobs.aol.com• Amomknowsbest.com• Golocalprov.com