why your image is your business!

Why Your ‘Image’ is Your

BusinessLinda Ferguson Designs

First Impressions

In the first 30 seconds people

make at least 12 assumptions

about you based on what

they see; and it can be very

difficult to change that first

impression even after

numerous meetings.Linda Ferguson Designs

First ImpressionsOn those few precious seconds we are judged on

appearance intelligence

competencyeducational level

personality achievements

level of success worldliness

sense of humour social heritage

savoir faire

Linda Ferguson Designs

Your ImageYou could be the

smartest person in the room, but if your image is at odds with what you

are saying, your credibility will be

seriously diminished.

The bottom line?

Your image is talking for you - before

you even open your mouth!


Image Building Blocks

Your image can position you for the success you

desire professionally and personally.

Just Ask Yourself?

1. What image do I project to others?

2. How do I want to be perceived?


Dressing with Purpose

When you dress with a purpose, you know what colours make your skin

come to life, you wear the correct fitted garment for your body type along with coordinated accessories.

You now have created an overall ‘VIBE’ that simply

radiates from you and that is very powerful and

magnetic!


Personal Brand


Every woman has a unique life situation, personality and purpose

- which impacts how she will be perceived and how she perceives

herself.What is yours?

Your Personal Brand hinges on establishing a reputation for yourself, showcasing what

differentiates you from other women.

It says: this woman has her act together!

Personal Brand


Developing a strong Personal Brand

takes

effort, focus and deep soul

searching.

Play to your strengths because those

qualities will come naturally to you.

Just start by building a strong

foundation for your Personal Brand

and build on your qualities of

Authenticity, Credibility, Expertise

and Reputation!

One Chance!

You only get ONE chance to make a Killer first impression!


Dressing WellThe key thing to Dressing

Well for success early on in

your career - is looking like

you’ve already achieved

success.

1. Appearance

2. Smile

3. Energy

4. Body LanguageLinda Ferguson Designs

What’s Your STYLE?

Dressing appropriately

is very important in first

impressions.

Appropriate dress

shows that you respect

your business and your

customers.


What’s Your STYLE? If you look successful

and confident, then

others will have more

confidence in you as well.

When you are dressed

properly, there is also

nothing to distract others

from your message.


Authentic Style

An integral, personal style that allows you to attract

love, claims your power,

balances your energy and reveals who you truly are -

by choosing the colours,

clothing and objects

that best express your True Authentic Self!


True Style


True Style is ageless and

timeless and absolutely

authentic.

Style is knowing who you are,

embracing your unique body

type and dressing in ways that

look and feel good on you.

Your clothing is just another

way of expressing yourself to

the world.

Q A ABohemian

You are a true bohemian. You love wearing loose-flowing, romantic tops, skirts, and dresses. You tend toward looking

casual, yet pretty. Most of your clothes can go from day to night. You look like you just walked off the beach, no matter

what time it is, because you have a relaxed, easy vibe about you.

Your colour palette includes white, off-white, and more white, earth tones, brown, with some beach colours like turquoise

and coral.

1 BPreppy

You love to wear your polo shirts. You pair them with crisp pants or shorts, depending on the weather and the activity. You

are likely to be seen in shorts at the country club during the day and pants at the evening barbecue. The cable knit sweater

is the cornerstone of your wardrobe.

Your colour palette is navy blue, kelly green, and pink — all paired with crisp white, if not one another. Your wardrobe is

also filled with bold prints, such as plaid, madras, and argyle, for when you’re in the mood to be noticed. The prep look is

totally “old school” yet multigenerational and current.

2 CSurfer Chic

Your No. 1 priority is how big the waves are. You don’t care what’s going on in the real world. Your world is the beach. Your

outfit of choice is a bikini and rash guard, with sheepskin boots (of course). Your colour palette is red, yellow, and blue —

all paired with sand or off-white. The bright colours are reminiscent of all the beautiful foliage in Hawaii. Plus, they let other

surfers know you’re coming when you catch the big wave!

3 DFashionista

You’re the ultimate fashionista! You love the big city. You adore your uniform of all black with stiletto boots, stiletto pumps,

or stiletto sandals. You love to dress up, be in all the latest trends, and wear all designer names. You know which pieces to

spend your money on and how to make the whole look appear expensive. You never miss an issue of Vogue, Elle, or

Harper’s Bazaar. Your colour palette is black and more black, paired with the colour of the moment, which is, of course,

“the New Black.”

4 EClassic

You have an easy way about dressing and are always put together and chic. You stick very close to the basics. You can

buy your clothes at Gap or on Madison Avenue, or a combination — after all, a classic is a classic. Your wardrobe consists

of white button-down shirts, jeans and slacks, the perfect black blazer, the perfect little black dress, and a fabulous trench

coat or two. You also have a drawer full of beautiful scarves and a closet full of gorgeous purses.

Your colour palette is denim, white, and black, with splashes of colour here and there in the form of an accessory such as a

scarf or purse. Clothing is basically neutral in colour. The ultimate example of a classic is, of course, Jackie O.

5F

Suburbanite

You have a casual lifestyle outside the big city. You spend most of your time taking care of everyone else, but you manage

to squeeze in an exercise/yoga class, a trip to the gym, or a run outside when you can. A cute, well-fitting sweat suit is your

‘Go-to Outfit’ first thing in the morning, and it generally carries you through all the day’s activities. If an evening activity is on

the agenda, a quick change to slacks or jeans and a sweater or nice T-shirt does the trick. Your colour palette consists of

darker colours like navy, grey, and black. These colours are flattering and slimming and don’t show stains or wear and tear

from all your daily activity.

Fashion Style Quiz


Fashion Style Quiz #1

Question #1

You are most comfortable in ...

A. Long, flowing dresses

B. Cable-knit sweaters

C. A bikini

D. The latest trend

E. A white button-down shirt

and jeans

F. A fitted sweat suit




Question #2

When not working, you feel most like yourself ...A. In a romantic vacation spot

B. On the golf course or tennis court at the country club

C. On a beach

D. In a big city

E. At home hosting an intimate dinner party

F. In your SUV with the children


Question #3

Your accessory of choice is...

A. An armful of gold bangles

B. A strand or two of pearls

C. A rash guard

D. The new “it” bag

E. Big, round, black “Jackie

O” sunglasses

F. A diaper bag



Question #4

You perfect everyday shoes are ...A. Flip-flopsB. LoafersC. BarefootD. StilettosE. FlatsF. Runners



Question #5

You tend to wear ...

A. Mostly whiteB. Lots of navy blueC. Bright coloursD. Head-to-toe blackE. Anything neutralF. Dark colours


The Bohemian


Mostly A’s: The Bohemian

You love wearing loose-flowing, romantic tops, skirts, and dresses.

You tend toward looking casual, yet pretty.

Most of your clothes can go from day to night.

You look like you just walked off the beach, no matter what time it is, because you have a relaxed, easy vibe about you.

Your colour palette includes white, off-white, and more white, earth tones, brown, and some beach colours like turquoise and coral.

The Preppy


Mostly B’s: The Preppy

You love to wear your polo shirts, pants and shorts.

The cable knit sweater is the cornerstone of your wardrobe.

Your colour palette is navy blue, kelly green, and pink — all paired with crisp white, if not one another.

Your wardrobe is also filled with bold prints, such as plaid, madras, and argyle, for when you’re in the mood to be noticed.

The prep look is totally “old school” yet multigenerational and current as well.

The Surfer ChicTheSurfer Chic


Mostly C’s: The Surfer Chic

Your world is the beach.

Your outfit of choice is a bikini and rash

guard, with sheepskin boots (of course).

Your colour palette is red, yellow, and

blue — all paired with sand or off-white.

The bright colours are reminiscent of all

the beautiful foliage in Hawaii.

Plus, they let other surfers know you’re

coming when you catch the big wave!

The Fashionista


Mostly D’s: The Fashionista

You’re the ultimate Fashionista!

You love the big city.

You adore your uniform of all black with stiletto boots, stiletto pumps, or stiletto sandals.

You love to dress up, be in all the latest trends, and wear all designer names.

You know which pieces to spend your money on and how to make the whole look appear expensive.

You never miss an issue of Vogue, Elle, or Harper’s Bazaar.

Your colour palette is black and more black, paired with the colour of the moment, which is, of course, “the New Black.”

The Classic


Mostly E’s: The Classic

You have an easy way about dressing and are always put together and chic.

Your wardrobe consists of white button-down shirts, jeans and slacks, the perfect black blazer, the perfect little black dress, and a fabulous trench coat.

You also have a drawer full of beautiful scarves and a closet full of gorgeous purses.

Your colour palette is denim, white, and black, with splashes of colour in the form of an accessory such as a scarf or purse.

Clothing is basically neutral in colour.

The ultimate example of a classic is,Jackie O.

The Suburbanite


Mostly F’s: The Suburbanite

Your casual lifestyle is spent time taking care of everyone else, but you manage to squeeze in a yoga class, or a trip to the gym.

A cute, well-fitting sweat suit is your ‘Go-to

Outfit’ first thing in the morning, and it

generally carries you through all the day’s

activities.

If an evening activity is on the agenda, a quick

change into slacks or jeans and a sweater or T-

shirt works for you.

Your colour palette consists of darker colours

like navy, grey, and black.

Personal Style


If you are all over the map, it means

that you don’t currently dress in any

particular style.

How do you picture yourself and see

your life, rather than what it currently

may be?

You don’t want to have too many

styles going on at the same time.

Rather than attempting to develop

different styles for different occasions,

work on finding ways to use your

Personal Style as a common thread in

any outfit you put together.

Dress Codes

* UBS, the Swiss Investment Bank,

issued a Guidance in 2011 talking about

the colour of female employees'

underwear, the best perfume to wear

and the length of employees' toenails

("to extend the life of their stockings").

The Guidance was 44 pages long.

Men were told how to tie a tie, and to

get their hair cut once a month.


Work Wardrobe

Strategies for a winning ‘Work Wardrobe’ is to perfect

the Art of presenting a Powerful, Polished,

Professional Presence the First Time & Every Time. Women who possess a Professional Presence,

exude confidence and are seen as strategic, assertive

and intelligent.


Professional Image

Your image is an asset which

can effectively position you

for the success you desire.

You need to successfully manage your

Professional Image, in the same way that you

manage your finances.


Investment DressingYour Work Wardrobe

is an Investment in

YOU.

So make wise

investments in

clothing pieces that

are quality conscious,

attractive, pulled together and

stylish.Linda Ferguson Designs

Appearance

Your appearance is your

expression to others about who

you are and what you stand for.

The way you look reflects your self image, attitude, confidence and state of mind.

A strong, purposeful presence is the hallmark of an effective image.


Looking Good

When you look good - you naturally feel more confident.

You tend to radiate an aura of effortless positive energy which becomes contagious and magnetic.

Others will be drawn to you and respond with the same positive energy that you yourself project.


8 Image Enhancers

1. Scarves

2. Colours

3. Perfect fitting pair of Jeans

4. Invest in a flattering Hair cut

5. Cardigans - cashmere

6. Experiment with a new make-

up application

7. Standing erect makes you look

poised, slimmer and taller

8. Foundation Garments


7 Professional Tips

Tip #1

Invest in

GoodQuality Clothing


7 Professional Tips

Tip #2

Your image not only includes

your clothing, but also your

grooming, poise, posture and non

verbal cues.


7 Professional Tips

Tip #3

You are a ‘Walking Business Card’ for

you business.So make sure that

you are in sync with your Personal Brand and your Company’s

Brand.


7 Professional Tips

Tip #4

Colours convey their own ‘energy’

so you need to know how to use

them effectively in all business situations.


7 Professional Tips

Tip #5

Dump the FRUMP!Take the time to get

dressed appropriately each and every day.

Be consistent with your image and think about

what it communicates to others.


7 Professional TipsTip #6

Express your own

unique ‘Personal

Style’ while still

maintaining a

distinct

Professional

profile.Linda Ferguson Designs

7 Professional Tips

Tip #7

Command attention when you walk into a room, by dressing to achieve an effective

Professional Presence!

Invest in yourself FIRST!


Aung San Suu Kyi


Always

remember

that your

image is a

‘Walking

Business Card’

communicatin

g who you are,

as a

professional!

Thank YOU!Linda Ferguson Designs

why your image is your business!

Career

personal style

true style true style

authentic style

strong personal brand

personal brand hinges

beach colours

fashion style quiz

image building blocks