{"id":2829,"date":"2016-03-17T09:32:23","date_gmt":"2016-03-17T09:32:23","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.instantoffices.com\/blog\/?p=2829"},"modified":"2024-07-22T11:58:31","modified_gmt":"2024-07-22T11:58:31","slug":"first-impressions-count","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.instantoffices.com\/blog\/business-growth\/first-impressions-count\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Great First Impressions = More New Business"},"content":{"rendered":"

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You\u2019ve probably heard that first impressions are made in as little as three seconds, but a recent study by Harvard University also found that, once a bad impression is made, it can take as many as eight consecutive positive encounters to change a person\u2019s negative opinion.<\/p>\n

You don\u2019t get a second chance to make a first impression, so in this article, we\u2019re going to discuss some of the reasons why first impressions are so critical to a working relationship, and point to some of the most important factors to consider when meeting a new client, or partner. We\u2019re specifically looking at new client relationships here, but as you\u2019ll see, the most important factors are based on human interactions, personality and appearance. So if you\u2019re looking for interview tips to help you nail that all-important job interview, you\u2019ll find this advice helpful too.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t Turn a Meeting into a Performance<\/h2>\n

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In a video<\/a> for Business Insider, Tony Robbins makes the case that being real and honest is a great starting point when trying make a great first impression. This is critically important when it comes to meeting with a potential client, and even more so when deciding how to prepare for an interview.<\/p>\n

During your first meeting with a client, your goal should be to introduce the culture and values of your company, as they are reflected in yourself. Not to lay every conceivable reason why that client should do business with you on the table. By nature, we become suspicious when we feel like we are being sold to. Thanks to media inundated with intrusive advertising, humans are beginning to actively avoid anything that seems to be trying to sell them something. The time for that crafty sales pitch will come later.<\/p>\n

The idea of spending hours collecting notes on your client\u2019s interests and rehearsing lines is outdated and, frankly, nauseating. If you speak about the aspects of your business that you are truly passionate about, or the reasons why you are genuinely excited to win the work, you will exude the type of energy that humans respond to, and clients look for in a service provider. Don\u2019t try to make an impression based on falsehoods, rather rely on your own unique skills and personality. In Robbins\u2019 own words, \u201ctrying to make an impression will make a bad impression\u201d.<\/p>\n

Appearances Do Matter<\/h2>\n

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Just because you\u2019re an ultra-progressive, forward-thinking, multi-disciplinary creative, doesn\u2019t mean showing up for a meeting looking unkempt isn\u2019t going to be a mark against you when it comes to first impressions. No, we\u2019re not saying that everyone needs to be clad in a three-piece suit when meeting a new client, but it is imperative that you and your team look clean and groomed.<\/p>\n