Learning to make a good first impression is the most important aspect of self image in the business world. Whether it is making an impression on someone in your personal or business life, a good first impression is usually a lasting impression. There is never a second opportunity to make a first impression. Therefore, it becomes a critical success factor to build a respectable self image.

What is self image? Self image involves the way a person see himself or herself (Stein, 2009). In business as well as in personal life the way an individual perceives himself or her-self to be usually is the image he or she projects to other people. Those who have a poor self image usually discredit himself or her-self, use negative self talk, and feels unacceptable or incapable (Stein, 2009).

Self image is important because the lack of a positive self image is the breeding ground of confidence. The way we see ourselves as being smart, slow, friendly, distant, well intentioned, happy, sad, lazy, hardworking, misunderstood, a leader, a follower along with other descriptions contribute the first impression individuals make to others (Johnson and Geal, 2009). In the business world making a first impression is the most key to success in every area. Businesses spend huge sums of money yearly on marketing campaigns, advertising, human resource training, and customer service relations to improve their critical success factor of improving self image.

The question must be asked why so much attention is placed on self image? Self image, according to Johnson and Geal (2009) is instrumental in an individual's ability to develop a self identity of realizing his or her potential. Every business wants to be the best and in order to be the best they seek the best candidates to become employees of the organization. To improve your self would go a long way in improving your chances of employment and the business opportunity to achieve success. Improving self image goes a long way in helping businesses and individuals make good first impressions. To improve the ability to make good first impressions require acquiring the basic behaviors of success through hard work and dedication. The elements that need to be addressed to improve self image is appearance, speech, body language, education, personal hygiene, dress, attitude, and communication skills to name a few places to begin. Remember businesses nor individuals never get a second chance to make good first impressions and first impressions more times than not are lasting impressions so take care of your self image.

References

Johnson, B. and Geal, M. (2009, June). Personal growth. Training Journal, 46-49. Retrieved

June 18, 2009, from ABI/INFORM Global database.

Stein, A. (2009, June). The Inner Gaze. FSB: Fortune Small Business, 19(5), 25.

Retrieved June 18, 2009, from ABI/INFORM Global database.

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