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Talk
Do Clothes Make the Man or Woman?
I'm a business coach to a team of marketing students in their senior year at one of our state universities. The students are working on several projects contracted by various private enterprises. While preparing the students for a first meeting with their respective clients, the issue of appropriate dress came into play.
I was quite surprised when there arose a general uproar in the classroom at the mention of coats and ties for the men and that the women should "dress like ladies." Even after discussions centered around first impressions and showing respect for the client through a professional and competent image, plus a whole host of other reasons why the students needed to depart from their flip-flops and holey jeans when visiting the offices of the organizations that had hired them -- there was still a lack of understanding.
"You never get a second chance to make a first impression."
Will Rogers
They were saying, "What does how I look have to do with the job I am about to perform? Isn't it about the content?" This statement is coming from a generation raised to embrace diversity and individual uniqueness, both admirable traits. And they are right about the fact that "content is king."
So here is the question. Is it an old-school approach to "dress for success" and remember "when in Rome do as the Romans do?" Or, as the students believe, is it now true that "it does not matter what I wear, what is important is if I deliver the goods or not"?
For you old schoolers:
"Clothes make the man. Naked people have little or no influence on society."
Mark Twain
Let's hear from you on this issue. Which approach do you use in your business?
Share your thoughts at my blog.
Michael Sawitz, CEO, AIM Mail Centers
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