Author: Nicola Barnard
There are many benefits to being a small business. However, the downside can be the perception that there is less trust, respect and security for the customer. As a small business owner you will have to work harder to gain and maintain these things than large business. Read more ›
Author: Nicola Barnard
Firstly decide, as a business owner, why an image change is needed. Is it because the wrong market is being attracted? Is it because the business focus has changed and therefore the ‘Brand’ has changed? Or is the current image dated? When considering a change of business image, determine what the desired image is to be. Find adjectives to describe the business that would be desirable for people to use when talking about it. ‘Professional’ is a given, but what about ‘traditional’ or ‘innovative’? ‘fun’ or ‘friendly’? Ask the opinion of colleagues and clients to see if how they describe and perceive the business is actually what it is and what is wanted. As ‘you’ are an important part of the business, start with ‘you’, and then look at the tools and environment.
YOU: Update the hair style to ‘current’ yet ‘professional’- a hairdresser can help. Stick to quality fabrics like wool for your clothing basics. Choose a light accent colour. Lighter generally means ‘approachable’ yet ‘less influential’ so wear with a darker colour on the bottom. If you wear a suit then keep the deeper colour but choose a jacket style that is less traditional, such as one without lapels. Alternatively, wear a traditional style in a lighter colour like grey or beige, to literally ‘lighten you’ the look. Obviously, use of colour requires some finesse so get feedback from someone with colour awareness or see an Image Consultant to help get it right.
TOOLS: Learn to use a modern PDA, telephone, and audio-visual tools with relaxed efficiency. Do not be caught with a DIY logo or business card. Logo and stationary design changes as technology advances. These days a great job can be done very affordably, so give that job to the graphic design professionals. Ensure that the website has the same brand look and feel as the stationary – it is well worth it. More and more people these days will check out the website before they call.
YOU: If there is no professional ‘uniform’ for your team, get one. A good quality uniform gives the impression you are there for the long term. Quality means using wool fabrics as they wear well, plus having them well made with finished stitching and button holes. If you are a sole operator, wear a suit. Darker colours like navy and charcoal are traditionally trusted and respected colours. Even if you work in a more casual environment, a jacket will add substance and influence. Collared shirts and long sleeves are a must for influential business.
TOOLS: Make sure stationary and all business tools are branded and of excellent quality. That also goes for your signage and decor. Use heavier paper stock for your business cards and letterhead. Around 300gsm is a good ‘firm’ stock for cards. If a client sees that you have put effort into the details then they will get the impression that you will put effort into them and their needs. Get yourself a quality metal pen with some ‘weight’. It will give your signatures ‘weight’. Don’t underestimate the power of your tools to communicate something about you.
Explore and Develop Your Authentic Personal StyleDo you…
We can teach you skills and guidelines to solve all these problems and many others like them. Once learned, this new knowledge will enable you to make the right choices easily, and to consistently and effectively present your personal visual style.
We will work with you to create the image you desire for success. In sessions delivered at your own pace, you will learn how to be in control of the messages you deliver — visual, verbal and non-verbal. This is an investment in yourself, providing new knowledge that will transform your professional and personal success for the rest of your life.
Your personalised program begins with an assessment and needs analysis to identify where you are at and what needs work. We may then cover topics such as:
We offers several professional packages that cover a range of these topics and will give you skills and knowledge on which to base your new or refreshed image. You can take as little or as much time as you need, and ongoing coaching is also available.
Past clients have said:
“I enjoyed the friendly style and professional manner. Nicola is genuinely interested in your life.”
R.T. – Naval officer and sportsperson“It has been an awakening. Acting on the advice given, I have received positive results.”
F.M. – Job seeker, administrative specialist
“I’ve had compliments about how much more elegant my work wardrobe is, It’s been good to have more confidence when I’ve been shopping as well. I had a family wedding to buy an outfit for and it was probably the most straight forward shopping that I have done. Since I had the colours in my head, I refreshed my style knowledge with the book and was able to get in and out of the shops in about an hour without feeling stressed and upset by the experience, which was fantastic.”
Rebecca Jardine, Frankston, Victoria.
Call today to discuss your needs and help transform your life.
Do you:
NB Personal Branding Matters works with small business owners to create or refresh the business and personal brand. This is a powerful program that can cover everything from stationery, signage and office decor through to attracting your target market, staff presentation, communication skills and business brand. The presentation and skills of the business owner are also assessed and enhanced. We aim to align the image of the owner and the business, increase their ability to make a powerful first impression, and to reinforce that with a strong personal brand and better influencing skills. Our Business and Personal Branding Program requires a minimum 10 hours’ commitment; up to 20 hours is recommended, with ongoing coaching for individuals as needed. This program is tailored to each business owner’s needs and sessions are delivered at a pace to suit your personal and business requirements.
Subject areas that can be covered include:
How to get started: The Business and Personal Branding Program is a powerful, business-building experience. Be prepared for some big changes.
If you wish to take things a little slower, please consider a:
What Small Business clients say:
“I am in good hands and can see that it is an investment in my future.” Valerie – Professional speaker and lifestyle coach
“I can now create and buy items to build a personal image strategically.” L.C. – Marketing business in development stage
NEW Workshop for SME’s or those individuals planning a new business…
Discover…
Time and energy are limited resources in any business. Small business people are acutely aware of this. That’s why every resource needs to work at an optimum level. Your brand is one of the most powerful of these resources. We will show you how your brand can be used to realise a successful business. Come and workshop your brand and gain the skills and knowledge to keep it growing and working hard for your business and your future.
This program can be done one-on-one for an investment of $3300 plus GST and expenses.
Or get a group of at least 6 small business owners together and we’ll run it for you for only $495 per person.
Priceless information, resources and an action plan. An essential investment in your business.
“There is no limit to what a brand can do but only if used properly.” Richard Branson
Does your organisation need to:
“Nicola had the audience completely enraptured throughout the session and successfully made the session both educational and interactive. We have received excellent feedback from the event. There was a broad audience spanning HR and Procurement to Product line managers specifically within the Banking and Finance Services sector. We intend to work with Nicola Barnard on similar events in the future.” Kavita Herbert, National Client Services Manager, Banking & Finance Services, Hudson Global Resources (Aust) Pty Ltd.
Nicola Barnard works with leaders in large organisations individually or as part of an in-house professional development program to recreate or refresh their personal image or brand.
A professional dress code for staff is an important part of your organisation’s brand presence with customers. We can help you to refresh and update your existing policy or help you to develop and implement your first policy.
We can then ensure that staff understand what the policy means in the practical terms of everyday dressing for work. We can also help define and explain what is acceptable on ‘casual dress’ work days so that organisation’s image does not suffer.
Call us to discuss your organisation’s individual needs.
As part of a Corporate professional development program, we can provide a combination of:
Delivery Options…
Collaborative Workshops – includes discussion about what components of participants Personal Brand tie in with the business brand. Group sessions from one-hour presentations on specific topics up to three-day workshops that cover every facet of power, influence, etiquette, image and style in the corporate environment.
Plus individual Leadership coaching programs to support your key talent to achieve greater professional success.
Consulting – Utilising one-on-one coaching/consulting to work with and advise senior management and key staff about their image in order to address and overcome any specific issues identified that may be sabotaging the business or personal career goals.
Coaching – Transition Support. To work with and advise staff on the transition to the new professional image communication. Providing an ongoing Personal Brand development learning program to help individuals integrate the learning.
Support and learning can be provided by a number of modalities such as e-Learning tutorials, and external or on-site Coaching Programs.
For inquiries about presentation or workshop content or Leadership Team Coaching please contact us to discuss your needs.
