James Kapesa BANKING SUCCESS SECRET #5- The Latent Power of Image Management & Perception. .....If you want to succeed, remember that people act on the basis of perception. Business is all but a game of perception and image management. TAKE AWAY FOR SMEs 1. Self-Image- Until your small business grows, you are the face of the business. I know it sounds patronising when I say invest in a decent wardrobe. Take heed! Meet a banker, even a teller or driver and you know what I mean. Your blue suit and polished pair of shoes will resonate with your banker. The unfortunate truth is that most people are moved more by how they perceive you than what you say. For those that travel to China and Dubai, you will know what I mean when you meet some of our SMEs aboard Kenyan Airways or Ethiopian Airlines. Surely, they have means to invest in their images! It will take long for them to grow out of SMEhood! 2. Premises- Find a small place and call it “my office”. Even if it’s your spare bedroom or garage, make it an office and treat it as such. Even if you operate from a garage like Steve Jobs did at one time, please invest in proper furniture. Give your garage office a decent coat of paint. But above, the national passion of operating from your “briefcase” does you more harm than good. 3. Business Forums-One of the many opportunities for enhancing your image as an SME is to attend business forums. Invest in your networks. These forums ask for a fee. Treat the time and fees you spend as “seeds.” Your appearance on these forums have a way of enhancing your image in the eyes of your suppliers, customers, staff and lenders. 4. Invest in a Proper Business Name-Even if you are a “Kantemba”, please invest in a good business name. Kweshako Enterprises is not a good name. No one take you seriously, since you are just trying. Uncle James Pub! What happens when James demises? Perception that you are here for a short term? No one will trust you with big things with such names. 5. And finally, it does not hurt to have a few well designed business cards and domain. Gmail, yahoo domains for a business diminish your image. Good news is that there are plenty of IT business that can hoist your business name for less money than you fear. REMEMBER!!!! “You never get a second chance to make a first impression.” Anonymous
Posted on: Thu, 04 Sep 2014 13:10:03 +0000
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