The world of business can be volatile. From securing investments to taking on new clients, almost every step you take is ultimately down to the decisions of somebody else and whether they say yes or no to you. So how can you sway them in your favour?
This is where first impressions count. In a competitive market, the way you present yourself can steer entire meetings, helping you win over crucial business players to drive your success.
Learn more about why first impressions are so vital and how to improve your own in this article.
What actually are first impressions?
First impressions occur in just 1/10th of a second, making them essentially a knee-jerk reaction. In this time, you start to form an unconscious opinion of the person you’re looking at, from how reliable they are to their personality traits.
Beyond that 1/10th of a second, other judgements start to form based on how the person moves, talks, or what they say, for example. All of these little impressions begin to snowball, creating a fuller perception and judgement of the individual which you’ll use to dictate your actions around them.
Forming first impressions is as much a part of human nature as blinking and breathing. Everybody does it, and you can’t avoid it – but you can use it to your advantage.
Do first impressions actually matter in business?
First impressions play a crucial role in how successful someone is in business. 3 in 5 British people agree that first impressions matter, and half believe that their initial judgements on a person are usually correct.
In the business world, this means that a lot of people are making up their minds about you in the first few minutes of meeting. That initial perception can have a domino effect that works either for or against you.
Positive first impressions are known to improve trust and collaboration between individuals. They can foster stronger relationships and sway outcomes in your favour, making them essential if you want to guide decision-making. Unfortunately, though, this also means that the reverse is true when it comes to negative first impressions.
Let’s say, for instance, that you’re looking for a business partner. In the meeting, you opt for a casual T-shirt instead of a suit. The potential partner may notice this instantly and unconsciously (or consciously) decide that you’re not very reliable or serious about your business.
While this is already bad news, that first impression on your professional appearance would then go on to influence their following thoughts.
You may do something perfectly normal, like ask for a pen, and that initial judgement would trigger a second red flag in the potential partner’s mind, backing up the first impression that you aren’t serious about the meeting or business.
On the other hand, if you’ve worn a suit and the partner feels positively towards you, that same request could fly under the radar unnoticed.
Replace the suit with any number of factors – the length of your hair, how you smile, or the words you use – and the result’s the same. The first impression continues influencing how people judge you and how you judge them, long after it’s formed.
How bad first impressions can damage business success
A poor impression can severely damage your chances of building strong business relationships. Those around you may be more inclined to focus on your weaknesses and ignore your strengths, honing in on any traits that align with their initial judgement.
When it’s time to make a decision – be that a sale, an investment, or a promotion – they’re less likely to swing in your favour.
This is particularly true in competitive industries where there’s more choice. An investor with plenty of businesses to choose from, for instance, isn’t going to back a founder that they’ve judged to be irresponsible, even if the actual business idea is solid.
First impressions can affect confidence in your business, trust in your skills, and, ultimately, the opportunities available to you. Consistently making a poor first impression over time is an easy way to stifle your business success before it’s gotten started.
How to make a positive first impression
Whether you’re going for a promotion or networking for clients, it’s clear that first impressions count. So, how do you make a good one? Let’s break it down into some easy-to-follow tips.
Start with a confident smile
Before you’ve stood up or spoken, you smile. It’s typically the first interaction you have with someone, making it absolutely crucial to the impression you make. Unfortunately, 51% of adults are often anxious about how their smile looks, which can lead to a more nervous first impression that stifles success.
To boost your smile confidence, you need white, straight teeth and good dental hygiene. Prioritise cosmetic dental work, like dental implants and whitening treatments, and make sure you’re following a healthy dental care routine. Confidence in your teeth can go a long way to making the right first impression.
Greet with confidence
In business, it’s always favourable to appear confident and capable, even when the nerves are getting to you. For first impressions, make sure you’re standing up straight and making eye contact. Smile, give a firm (but not too firm) handshake, and speak at a steady volume.
Always dress the part
Across eight studies, it was found that 83% of faces viewed were deemed more or less competent depending on the clothes the person wore. Those in ‘richer’ clothing (like suits and designer outfits) were consistently considered more capable than those in ‘poorer’ clothing (like jeans and t-shirts).
When building your confidence at work, therefore, it’s important to dress the part. If in doubt, always opt for a smart dress code. For men, that means suit trousers, a shirt, and smart shoes at a minimum, while women can opt for suits, dresses, or skirt and jacket combinations.
Make sure your accessories, hair, and makeup match in tone for a polished, professional appearance. Even the fragrance you wear can influence a first impression, so take your time to find one that works for you.
Improve your communication skills
Your communication will play a major role in people’s first impression of you. Work on speaking clearly and concisely, and take your time when talking. Rushing through your words is a clear sign of nerves and makes you more likely to stumble, neither of which is ideal in a professional setting.
Make sure you’re actively listening, too. Nod, maintain eye contact, and don’t get distracted by your surroundings – or your phone! Ask follow-up questions to show you’re listening and maintain a steady conversation.
If communication doesn’t come naturally to you, don’t panic. One of the tricks of easy small talk is to prepare some talking points in advance to help keep the dialogue flowing. Think of questions you could ask or relevant topics to bring up, improving your conversational skills to ensure a brilliant first impression.
Final Thoughts
Making a positive first impression is an art form, and one that’s important to learn if you want to be successful in any area of business. Keep these tips in mind as you move forward and remember that confidence is cultivated, so take your time. Business success isn’t built in a day, after all.
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