First Impressions Are Everything! You Only Have 5 Seconds, So Make It Count!

Psychologists around the world tend to agree that the typical human generates a first impression within five seconds.  WOW ... do we live in a judgmental society or what?  And more importantly we judge at warp speed.  It is said that these rapid first impressions are generated through our five channels of human perception.

1. Touch is suggested to make up 2% of a  first impression
2. Taste is suggested to make up 3% of a first impression
3. Smell is suggested to make up 7% of a first impression
4. Sound is suggested to make up 14% of a first impression
5. Sight is suggested to make up 74% of a first impression

 Let's start with the big one, sight, and work our way back.  Sight is suggested to make up the bulk, 74% of our initial impression.  Most of us immediately jump to the conclusion that we are talking about first impressions of another human being.  But in the case of business, we are not only talking about the employees, we are also talking about the surroundings.  If you drive by an apartment community where residents are allowed to store anything they choose on their balconies, you may subconsciously get a first  impression of the community being poorly managed.  If the landscaping is unkempt and garbage is strewn about, you may get the subconscious first impression of it being a dirty community.  If you walk into the leasing center and see files stacked high on messy desks, you may get the subconscious first impression of disorganization.  And finally, if you are greeted by a shabbily dressed and poorly groomed individual, you may get the subconscious first impression of limited professionalism.  Sight is by far, the most powerful perception we need to focus on and control, regarding insuring a great first impression.  This means, clean offices, well groomed employees, freshly pressed uniforms, well maintained grounds and facilities are necessary in order to gain a positive first impression.

Sound is our next largest impact factor regarding first impressions.  While we may not be able to control the occurrence of all sound interruptions, we may be able to limit, muffle or block many of them.  Simple steps like turning down the volume on your desk telephone ringer while working with a customer, having light music playing in the background or requiring personal cell phones be set to vibrate are all steps in the right direction when it comes to controlling sound impressions.  From a personal standpoint, monitoring your voice volume, tone and speed of verbal delivery can also have a positive impact.

Smell is our third most impactful human perception.  We have all been disgusted by foul odors in our life, and we can also relate to semi foul odors like mildew being easily noticed.  Unpleasant odors motivate a person to remove themselves from a specific location.  Therefore maintaining a pleasant aroma in our facilities is key.  It is suggested that vanilla scents relax people, citrus scents suggest cleanliness and spice scents provide a feeling of home.

Taste is our fourth most impression generating sense.  Such things as hot fresh coffee lead to a positive impression, while cheap stale cookies lead to a negative impression.  Ice cold lemonade lead to a positive impression, while old leftover Halloween candy leads to a negative impression.  Whatever we may offer our guests, we need to make sure it is of quality, fresh and served at the right temperature.  If we cannot guarantee this, it is better to not offer them anything at all.

And finally touch.  This is all in the handshake.  Limp, fingertip handshakes are DISGUSTING!  When you receive them all you want to do is find a bottle of anti-bacterial wash.  Male, female or somewhere in between, we are all expected to provide a firm handshake.

Many of you may be reading this article thinking to focus on this is natural, automatic or even common sense.  You are correct.  But to focus on it within a five second period is truly an art, that is only judged by looking at your personal success.  So, the next time you think about waking up late and letting your hair dry naturally, don't, it is a bad first impression.  The next time you wonder if people can tell that you have been out all night drinking because of your voice tone, wonder no more, they can, and it is a bad first impression.  The next time you wonder if you remembered to put on deodorant, take an extra five minutes and re-apply to make sure.  The next time you are in Big Lot's buying leftover candy because it fits into the budget, stop, go to Target, and make up your budget overage elsewhere.  The next time you question if you want to shake the manual laborers hand because it is slightly dirty, do it, your first impression success depends on it ... and who are you kidding, money is filthy anyway, but you are still commission hungry!

So remember, first impressions come in many formats, but they are all a reflection of you.  So take a long look at you, your employees and your community in the mirror, and make sure each of you are dressed in the suit of success EVERY SINGLE DAY!