Looking Better And Selling Better Go Together
Can you tell how fast a horse will run by looking at it ? If so, meet me at Churchill Downs tomorrow.
Can you tell how far a frog will jump by looking at it ? Me neither.
But I can promise you this - Better looking, better feeling sales people sell more than poorly dressed, ill-feeling sales people.
It’s a fact.
I spent about 3 ( of my 6) years in and out of Aberdeen Proving Grounds (MD), and we had a special inspection every Friday morning at Roll Call. The GI with the sharpest uniform, best haircut, shiniest boots and best shave always got out of guard duty for the weekend. I only pulled guard duty one time in 3 years for my company. Once.
I read about a sales manager that used to take his sales people and have them come to the front of the room during a monthly sales meeting. Every other sales person had to grade their appearance.
Those receiving the highest grade were always those that had the highest sales.
Without fail.
You can either believe it or be wrong. It’s true.
I’ve said it before - When I have a big meeting planeed, I plan it around a 2 hour drive to see the best barber in the Louisville Metro area. It costs me some time, but it makes me more money.
Whether it’s the lucky haircuts that Roger gives me or whether it just gives me enough confidence to do my best, it works.
When I was unlucky enough to wear a tie, instead of loafers and a golf shirt, I used to buy a new lucky tie. Now I just get a lucky haircut and tip extra big for the extra shot of confidence.
Want more sales ?
Iron your shirt. Get a haircut. Press your Dockers. Get a shoe shine ( another favorite of mine ).
They all work to help you exhude the air of confidence that you need to distinguish you from the competition.
PS - The photo above is courtesy of Hollywood Yesterday - A blog about the best years of Hollywood and a great place to get screensavers and wallpapers for you bad-ass PC !
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Hello Mike.
You are absolutely write. Looking better definitely gives you an edge, and by looking better I don’t mean you have to give a Hollywood actor or actress a run for his or her money. You need to groom yourself properly because it shows you respect the person standing or sitting in front of you.
And this “looking better” factor pays you everywhere: having a neat and clean office, having a website that really looks good in terms of layout and color scheme, having stationary that looks and feels crisp and professionally designed…they all help you build your brand as a quality seller or service provider.
Thanks Amrit - you’re absolutely right.
Looking good helps you perform better.