I was making a phone call today to touch base with a client that had recently completed our workshop and was shocked at what I heard when I called him:  the song on his phone while waiting for the call to connect.  It was a heavy metal song that made you feel like you had just drank five (5) Red Bull Energy Drinks and were preparing to go into battle.  Now I have an ecclectic music taste and so the song didn’t bother me, it is where the song was displayed that did:  EVERY incoming phone call to him hears this song.  You need to always be aware of all the details and information you present to others.  He is in a Professional Sales Position and this is what all clients and potential clients will hear.  He also works hard and relies heavily on referrals, you can’t always know that a referral will be JUST LIKE the client that referred them.  For example:  He performed spectacularly for Susan and earned her praise for a job well done and now Susan refers her parents to him.  Susan was closer to his age, she’s used to people putting their favorite songs on their phones, etc. and so she honestly never even gave a second thought to the music.  Susan’s parents are NOT the same as Susan in these areas.  This music instantly creates unwanted ideas of the professionalism (or perceived lack thereof) and they are instantly turned off.  Be Aware.

These same principles apply as well to sites that potential clients might be able to view “you”.  If you have a personal web page, Facebook Account, Myspace Account, etc, You need to watch what content you put on there and/or what privacy settings you have.  We all have “those pictures” from the past, and it is ok to post them, just make sure that if they don’t cast you in a 100% POSITIVE Light, make sure they can ONLY be seen by those you WANT to see them.  I do a search on “new contacts” all the time and I’m amazed at what I will see posted on their Facebook Account among others.  “Lovely” photos of an apparent all night drinking binge that usually end with a replay of their favorite scenes from the movie Animal House to their “Wall Postings” that are there for all to see and often loaded with profanity, extreme political overtones, etc.  Yes, this IS your “right” to be able to do this, however if you ARE a Professional and want to be TREATED as a Professional, then you have to make sure that ALL information available about you IS Professional in appearance.

Hope this of assistance and as always, I look forward to hearing from you.

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