By Keturah Kamugasa

As January comes to a close, it is time to review or decide what image you want to convey to further your career or to establish a business. First impressions count and a good appearance is priceless – it announces you before you speak.

Communication experts believe that 55% of the total message presented by a person during a first meeting consists of that person’s personal appearance.

People make judgments on our values, social status and professionalism by our appearance. It does not matter what position you hold in the company or organisation, presenting a positive image is hugely important.

Improving personal image takes time because established behaviour and long-held habits are not easy to change, but because image is conveyed, you might never get a second chance to make a good first impression. So how can you cultivate a winning image?

Start with the basics. Before a farmer can sow seed, he has to prepare the ground first. This includes pulling out weeds and plowing to soften the soil so that the seeds have a conducive environment to germinate and grow. For you, plowing would include buying self-help books on image, studying the behaviour of people you admire or even hiring an image consultant.

Dress well
Personal appearance — clothing, hairstyle and accessories — is the most important element of image. Invest in clothes that are professional without being too serious, fashionable and work well with your figure.

Always go for the classy look rather than trends which come and go. Furthermore, a few expensive pieces are better than hundreds of cheap, poorly cut and ill-fitting clothes. It is important to avoid overly sexy clothing as it can portray a negative image.

Pay attention to detail

Grooming is key to a professional look. Shoes must be clean and polished, hair well kempt, no hanging hems or missing buttons, no stains on clothing or chipped nail polish. A shabby and dowdy person is perceived as careless and incompetent.

Develop charm
Learn how to be the music in the souls of the people you meet. This can only be achieved with a sustainable charm. People can always see through fake, pseudo-charm that is put on and off as a means to an end.

Posture
Pay attention to the way you sit and stand. Posture reveals how you feel about yourself. For example, an erect, relaxed bearing conveys competence and confidence.

Build a personal brand
Brands like Pepsi, Coca-cola or Mercedes Benz were not built overnight. Huge investments in time and money must have played a major role in their establishment. You too can become a brand.

“Branding is not just a name but a communication that defines competence, standard and image,” writes James Poon Teng Fatt in Communicating A Winning Image.

What is your brand personality? Is it serious, professional or humorous? Go for a brand personality that delivers the greatest potential and long term benefit. In building your brand, remember that it is not the most intelligent people who make it, but those who portray a positive image and are able to identify and seize every opportunity that comes their way.