It's all
about first impression -- government and business -- both making them and
responding to them. In critical situations, everyone's antennas are up, super
sensitive to even the most inconsequential signal. We seem convinced that
almost everything rides on making a correct first impression: "Did we put
our best foot forward?" "The first meeting is always pivotal. How did
we do?" "What can we do to make it more impressive?"
Why all the concern with first impressions? Why do we believe that the first contact makes a difference? Is it true that no one gets a second chance at making a first impression or is that just popular business lore?
In some ways, it is difficult to understand why we place so much importance on first impressions. It isn't only making them that gets our attention, of course. It's reading them, as well. Armed with extremely limited information, we often come to conclusions that are instantly indelible. If we know such conclusions may be questionable, why do we persist in making snap judgments that are virtually impossible to change?
The answer is simple. First impressions work. They reduce anxiety and allow us to move through the day with less stress. Walk into an auto dealership to look at a car and you are immediately turned off by a 'pushy' salesperson. How often do we hear someone say, "From the very moment I met her, I knew.. . ?" Or, "They didn't have us fooled for a minute. As soon as they opened their mouths, we could tell..."
Making judgments on such limited knowledge may seem difficult to defend. Yet, studies support the extensive influence of first impressions. Consider, for example, one research project. the objective was to evaluate the extent that dress and physical appearance affect the quality of social interactions.
Using a retail store setting, the researchers discovered that the sociability of the clerks was significantly higher when interacting with a well-dressed actor than when interacting with a poorly dressed one. Other studies suggest that facial expression, gestures, glasses, personal coloring, garment style, and make up can play a key role in impression formation. As Humble and Bremer conclude, "Individuals tend to make intrinsic judgments about a person based on external cues."
What is true about first impressions of individuals may be equally significant for companies. Businesses select street and building addresses for company offices because they send "the right message" -- they are believed to make the right impression.
More Details omoleja@gmail.com
Why all the concern with first impressions? Why do we believe that the first contact makes a difference? Is it true that no one gets a second chance at making a first impression or is that just popular business lore?
In some ways, it is difficult to understand why we place so much importance on first impressions. It isn't only making them that gets our attention, of course. It's reading them, as well. Armed with extremely limited information, we often come to conclusions that are instantly indelible. If we know such conclusions may be questionable, why do we persist in making snap judgments that are virtually impossible to change?
The answer is simple. First impressions work. They reduce anxiety and allow us to move through the day with less stress. Walk into an auto dealership to look at a car and you are immediately turned off by a 'pushy' salesperson. How often do we hear someone say, "From the very moment I met her, I knew.. . ?" Or, "They didn't have us fooled for a minute. As soon as they opened their mouths, we could tell..."
Making judgments on such limited knowledge may seem difficult to defend. Yet, studies support the extensive influence of first impressions. Consider, for example, one research project. the objective was to evaluate the extent that dress and physical appearance affect the quality of social interactions.
Using a retail store setting, the researchers discovered that the sociability of the clerks was significantly higher when interacting with a well-dressed actor than when interacting with a poorly dressed one. Other studies suggest that facial expression, gestures, glasses, personal coloring, garment style, and make up can play a key role in impression formation. As Humble and Bremer conclude, "Individuals tend to make intrinsic judgments about a person based on external cues."
What is true about first impressions of individuals may be equally significant for companies. Businesses select street and building addresses for company offices because they send "the right message" -- they are believed to make the right impression.
More Details omoleja@gmail.com
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