What about you? Can you work your image so that your customers, colleagues, employees, and business partners find your appearance congruent with your position?  If you are the type that grabs the first shirt that jumps out at you? Or, do you carefully think through who you are going to meet before you get dressed in the morning or pack for that important trip?

Well, if this sounds familiar to you, here are five tips to get you thinking the next time you want to make an impression:

1. Pink is for sissies. Whether you are male or female, avoid pink because it says "soft". You may not want to wear all black, either, however, consider the image you are attempting to create. (For a handout on color and what impression color says about you, ask me for the "Color Info" by emailing: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ).

2. Dress about one step up from your customers. If the customers wear khakis and short sleeve shirts, throw on a jacket, a long sleeve dark colored shirt, or a denim pantsuit for women. You'll look well prepared for meeting execs and your message is "I'm ready for business", without looking too stuffy.

3. Watch your shoes. Are your shoes scuffed, dirty, and "broken-in" looking? If so, take your credit card to Nordstrom and get a decent pair of business shoes. Make sure they are well maintained. Many people look at shoes. As for women, keep the highest heals that make you totter when you walk, or sandals that slip off your feet when you walk, in your closet. You lose credibility with night-life shoes on your feet.

4.  Button up. Yep, men and women, keep your chest hair and/or cleavage under cover. Customers don't need to become distracted while trying to make decisions. I know one guy who wears a thick gold chain and has three buttons open every time he leaves the house. It just screams "cheesy". It's OK, we really don't need to know how big his chain is (or how hairy he is). Seeing all of that makes me not want to do business with him. And guess what? I don't!

5. Watch your fingernails. If your nails appear as weapons to customers, they get scared. For men, especially, long fingernails appear un groomed. If you are a nail-biter, your customer may wonder why you are so nervous. Do what you can to break the habit. Lastly, for women, chipped polish is NEVER in. Either don't wear polish, or keep it fresh-looking. Remember, customers always look at your hands as you are writing, signing contracts, and handing them materials.

There you have it. All the tips and tricks that I'm confident will help keep your image in check. And remember, if you HAVE let yourself go, it's a new year and a good time to begin getting yourself back!

(c)Renee Walkup, All Rights Reserved, www.salespeak.com, 678 587-9911