We think without thinking, we form impressions of people we meet almost instantaneously - according to Malcolm Gladwell, author of Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking, we develop first impressions within 2 seconds of meeting someone.

Your image is your 'visual resume'. It may take a few minutes to go through, absorb and understand a written resume but a visual resume is absorbed in seconds.

Perceptions are formed within the blink of an eye, and that eye could be the eye that can make or break your business. Your employees are the most visible part of your public relations team, what they wear and how they wear it, is essential to the creation of a formidable corporate image.

Conveying a cohesive corporate image within your organisation - be it an image that is strictly professional or 'business casual' - is never easy.

According to Career Builder.com company dress codes are a never ending battle in the working world. Employees misinterpret the dress code or they don't abide by it, companies have a code in place but don't enforce it, companies don't have a dress code but they still reprimand employees for wearing certain attire. There's constant objection from certain industries along the lines of: "Why do I have to look nice at work if I don't see anybody?"

"Each of these four battles can be won with education - image education," says Gabriella Farah of Vanity - an image and styling company that has made great strides in Gauteng over the last year, and is looking to expand its reach to the coastal regions of Kwa-Zulu Natal and the Western Cape. "Image consulting has become so much more than just a list of fashion do's and don'ts. Today image consulting, is a more holistic profession, educating employers and employees alike on self-image, wellness, and confidence."

Gabriella has worked extensively in the corporate world and was encouraged to develop Vanity after being approached by women and men alike who were concerned about how they were projecting themselves in the workplace. Vanity has developed a range of interactive, informative and highly practical personal styling and image education workshops that can be tailored to meet the needs of the client.

"We ensure that through our workshops people are not only educated on the principals of good image but are given the tools to incorporate these principals in their everyday life," she says. "Fifty-five percent of first impressions are based on overall appearance. Image speaks volumes about your organization's values, achievements, work-ethic and professionalism. Regardless of the industry, every business can benefit through favourable first impressions and thereby increase profit and growth.

"Once your business becomes adept at creating positive first impressions, people will be predisposed to think favourably of you. A corporate image consultant is therefore a necessity. With the help of an image consultant, the image you have envisioned for your organization can be achieved. An image consultant understands that a book is in fact judged by its cover, and knows how to make that cover sell."

For more information on Vanity, Corporate Image and Image Education Workshops contact:

Gabriella Farah

072 632 5559

gabriella@vanitysa.co.za

www.vanitysa.co.za