First Impressions
What are your first impressions saying about your business?
First impressions have a major impact on how one’s professionalism, quality of work and customer service are viewed by others. Most of the time when we worry about our first impressions, we are thinking about our external customer or client. SHE Leads Group Members should think of what impact it also has on each other – being potential referral partners to one another.
At SHE Leads Group, each and every one of us is diligent about protecting our business reputation. Most, if not all of us, have worked hard to build a great reputation that has helped us grow our business. Our clients look to us as a resource for other services. Our clients often become referrals to each other in the group.
What happens if someone makes a bad first impression with another member in the group? For example, what message would a person be sending to a potential power partner in the group if they said that they do not have time to meet? The first impression is, “Well if you don’t have time to meet with me, how will you have time to meet with and service my referrals?”
Perhaps a member of the group has even said to another member that they have regular clients who could use that member's services? Would it be wise to tell that referral partner that they don’t have time to meet with them? Of course not, one would put their best foot forward to earn trust and make a good first impression.
When we think about each other in the group, let’s keep in mind not everyone knows, likes and trusts one another immediately. That takes time:
- Time to meet and get to know each other personally and professionally.
- Time to show you have great follow up and follow through.
- Time to show that you will take as good of care of their referrals as they would.
So, if someone has requested to get together to have a one-on-one meeting, please try to make some time to get to know each other. It’s OK to request to meet a couple weeks out if you are truly booked. But, simply telling them you don’t have time, or simply ignoring the request, is not recommended and will not leave a good impression.
What does SHE stand for?
SHE is more than a leads group - SHE Leads Group exists to support women in business development roles. SHE Members are women in business who appreciate the role many women have being a full-time caregiver to loved ones and advancing their full-time career or business. The letters “S H E” stand for Supporting Heart & Enterprise ®. Heart is our families, or anything near and dear and personal to us. Enterprise is our business or career. Members are expected to uphold the values and culture for which SHE stands. Every member of SHE Leads Group should desire to be a resource to each other. SHE Leads Group is more than just a leads group. We are a group of supportive women who truly want to help others in any way possible.
About the author
Beth Boen, SHE Leads Group Founder
Beth Boen has more than 35 years of experience in sales, marketing and customer service. She is an award-winning marketer. She is also a professional trainer and customer experience consultant. Beth loves helping people build long-term, loyal relationships that produce quality connections in their business that lead to lifetime customers and endless referrals. Beth helps people do this through her thoughtful blogs and training curriculum. Members of SHE Leads Group have access to more in-depth business development training through presentations at meetings from Beth, her curriculum, and guest trainers. Learn more about Beth.