Body Language Business Tips



Do you have a firm handshake ?

First Impressions are made up of 3 main components:

The way you act
What you say
The way you look

Which of the above is 55%, 38% and 7%?

Read on to find the answers and body language tips.








Body Language: At a recent business meeting in the Algarve when I hardly understood a word that was being said in Portuguese - body language spoke volumes. It is 38% of a first impression. What we "say" with our bodies is sometimes a louder and clearer message than what we choose to say with words and sentences. It is very important means of general communication skills, and thus exceedingly important too, in business communication.
Learn to give and receive body language effectively, and you will ensure that the people that you meet will feel comfortable with you,like you, and most importantly of all...will feel safe and sure enough to want to do business with you.

Tips on Positive Body Language

Enter a room confidently and competently - you will do this successfully if you simply beleive that you have a right to be there. Hold your head up,your shoulders back in a comfortable position and SMILE when you greet someone. A smile is a very underrated business tool!

Shake hands firmly it is a good business gesture

Always make and retain eye contact with anyone that you are engaged in conversation

Do not stand too near someone - 3 metres is acceptable

Do not touch or lift anything off someone's desk - it is an intrusion of privacy

Positions of seating matters - friendly sit next to them/confrontational sit opposite them

Territory at a meeting table. If you wish to have extra control at a meeting table,spread your books,pens,manuels etc over as broad an area as possible,without being too obvious

Placing your fingertips of both hands together (steepling) shows a certain amount of control,without being too offensive

Nodding your head in understanding or agreement makes people feel that you are relating to what they are saying. Try and get people to do the same when you are talking.
7% of what you say is part of a first impression leaving 55% of your first impression your appearance.
Time to book for a colour consultation with Image Matters to create your best first impression within 7 seconds - yes that is all it takes!

Teachers get lessons in body language....
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/educationnews/7229102/Teachers-get-lessons-in-body-language.html