In Business, Image Isn't Everything; It's The Only Thing!
We have all heard this lament, but how much do we practice it. With all the relaxed rules today, do we really present ourselves in the best light. It seems all the articles I see today are about how old fashioned today's workers find their supervisors or bosses to be in the way they dress, the policies they implement and the old fashioned ways in which they conduct their business.I am of the belief, and will continue to believe, that the first impression I make is the lasting one. Whether it is by phone or in person, I want to present myself in the best possible light. But then again, I am from the old school, the one today's workers are complaining about.Let's look at the companies that are still standing.
After all the hoopla has passed, the companies that have used the fundamental principles of Business 101 are the ones still among us. The Intels, IBMs, Burger Kings, AT&Ts, Sears, Microsofts, Dells, Gateways, etc. I am not advocating living in the dark ages. I believe for a company to survive it has to move with the times, but the basic structure and foundation on which we have built our business - image, courtesy, ethics, the customer being right, are the cornerstones to running a successful business, whether it is home-based or not.Too many home-based business have taken the pajama mentality into all of their business practices. I have called on businesses that have cute messages on their machines, music that is obnoxious, children answering the telephone, screaming televisions, radios in the background.
This does not inspire confidence in me to do business with this person. That is not to say I have not had reservations about companies that have offices outside the home. In fact, it was a call placed to one that inspired this article. When I called and spoke to the owner of this business, she had no idea on how a particular process worked or what it's cost would be. Wow, it's her business and she doesn't know how it works or what it costs.
Guess who I didn't do business with. I am not saying you have to be an expert, but at least know the basics and tell me you employ an expert in that area that will be better able to help me, don't hem and haw and tell me you don't have a clue. This does not give me a good impression of you or your company.There are businesses in corporate offices that are more fun houses than companies...and they don't inspire any confidence in me either, so I am not picking on home-based businesses.The purpose of this article is to remind all of us (home-based and non-home-based) that how we present ourselves is of paramount importance. When you answer your telephone, answer it in a professional manner. When you go to an outside meeting, if you are home-based, dress for the meeting, not for home.
If you have clients come to your home, be sure it is presentable, and that you are too. Just because you work out of your home, does not mean, shorts and a T-shirt are appropriate for meeting a client. Have your identity package (business cards, letterhead, brochure) done professionally, proofread and spell check any correspondence that leaves your office.Your first impression, whether in person, by phone or correspondence is a lasting one. Make it a good one and you'll have clients for life if you treat them right - the old fashioned way.The only place I've ever found I was wrong is with restaurants. Some of those little holes in the wall have turned out to have the best service and the best food, so I guess when it comes to businesses, you can't judge all books by their covers, just most of them.Copyright 2001, DeFiore Enterprises..
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Rauland-Borg, the leader in communications and media management solutions for K-12 schools, announced today that it will include popular National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) educational videos with the purchase of its multimedia Telecenter? Curriculum and Presentation System (CPS) .
The selection will include NASA's acclaimed Destination Tomorrow?, Connect?, Science Files? and Kids Science News Network? series. The programming, created by the NASA Langley's Center for Distance Learning, uses the administration's research in aeronautics, atmospheric sciences and space.
"Companion materials, available directly from NASA, include teaching guides, 30-minute programming, interactive web projects and news programming." stated Ken McQuillen, Product Manager for Telecenter CPS. "Together with the onboard NASA videos, these programs are engineered to inspire student interest in math, science and technology."The NASA suite includes a full range of programming...
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Video Fitness Podcasts Exercise Muscles with What I Want
Miami, Fl. (ContentDesk) January 11, 2006 -- Personal training sessions are now available on your time frame, at your convenience, without ever having to leave home.
Video Fitness Podcasts merge personal training, with the ability to access on-demand fitness content. These workouts provide the user with the power to access health and fitness training information at anytime, for use anywhere, and at their convenience.What I Want Podcasting (http://www.whatiwantpodcasting.com/Fitness.html), a firm that specializes in developing podcasts for commercial use in society, has developed What I Want Fitness.
This podcast show, features two or three new episodes every week with strength training exercises, personal health information, healthy meal recipes, and overall fitness advice.
We have developed this show as a model to illustrate the use of podcasting in the fitness community , Says Martin...
Video Fitness Podcasts Exercise Muscles with What I Want
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New Website Targets Home Theater Seating Market: SpielbergSeating.com
Tampa Bay, FL (ContentDesk) October 22, 2005 -- As more people are building home theaters, the demand for real movie cinema theater seating, has increased. Where can you find a real theater chair? The new web site SpielbergSeating.com has built its business model around supplying real theater chairs to the niche home theater chair market.
"The growth of the home theater market is strong&"says Vice President of Sales for SpielbergSeating.com." There are three major reasons feeding this growth. 1. The trend to stay home and limit traveling.
2. The increasing quality of technology. (DLP projectors, HDTV plasma flat screen televisions etc.) And 3. the improved quality of digital signals now available through satellite and cable television services.These real movie theater chairs are actually engineered and designed with movie viewing in mind, making them perfect for the growing home theater market.Advantages of having a home theater are many. Having a real mini movie theater...
New Website Targets Home Theater Seating Market: SpielbergSeating.com
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Palm Springs Condo Rentals
Palm Springs is a famous holiday resort in California that draws thousands of tourists and guests every year. The accommodations available here are varied, where one can choose to live in either a Palm Springs condo, home or apartment, depending on one's needs and budget. This is an ideal place for a family vacation or a corporate retreat.
The Palm Springs condo rentals are conveniently located about five minutes from the Palm Springs international airport. The condo rentals come with all modern amenities, like a washing machine, dryer and kitchen amenities. Some of the condos also have Jacuzzis and separate televisions for the master bedroom.
Most of the condo rentals provide convenient access to beautiful grounds, swimming pools, well-maintained tennis courts, gyms and racquetball courts. There are also many other outdoor activities in which the guest can take part, like hiking, trekking and mountain climbing. Those who don't actually enjoy sports can visit one...
Palm Springs Condo Rentals
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