I had my first ever fashion stylist session a couple of months ago and it was fabulous. As my stylist shared her fashion ’secrets’, I experienced quite a mind shift around how I dressed and it also got me thinking about a few things that had nothing to do with fashion…
The problem with fashion
The light-bulb moment for me was when she said this:
“… the problem with most women’s wardrobes is that they are a collection of one-off outfits – that is, specific combinations of pieces for specific situations and occasions. There are things to wear for work, things to wear for lunch with the girls, things to wear to parties, things to wear for formal occasions, things to wear for casual occasions, and so on.
You end up with a vast wardrobe but only one or two basic outfits for each specific situation. That’s how you get stuck in a rut, wearing the same thing over and over, and that’s why you feel like you have nothing to wear.
The secret is to first work out your personal style – the ‘look’ in which you are completely comfortable, and which expresses your unique personality. Then build a collection of both basic and signature pieces that intermingle effortlessly.
So, you might have a wonderful red silk top. It goes under a black suit for the office, over a skirt for a cocktail party, and with jeans for your weekend brunch. What really makes each outfit pop to suit the occasion is the accessories: shoes, handbag and jewellery.”
I was blown away by this idea, and realised it beautifully aligned with my approach to helping people clarify and communicate their business message.
The problem with business communications
The same traps exist when you are developing your business communications, as when you are developing your wardrobe.
- If each communication opportunity (website, client conversations, networking, social media) is viewed separately you can end up with an overwhelming mish-mash of pieces that don’t work together.
- Another common problem is the infamous ‘elevator pitch’ – a concise, well-practised spiel that becomes like a power-suit worn to every occasion. It’s not always comfortable and it gets boring fast.
- Then there’s the issue of being so unsure of your business message that you play it ’safe’ by blending in with stock phrases – a collection of beige basics with no flair.
Putting it all together
The secret to great business communications is first clarify your core business message. Your style. It captures the essence of your business: your customers, what you do for them, and what makes you different. Most importantly, it is a message you can carry and communicate comfortably, because it comes from you.
Once you have this foundation, you can begin collecting the pieces – phrases, stories, benefits – that will work together to convey the message. They work in your web copy, your one-on-one conversations, your online chat . It’s a flexible wardrobe you can use to communicate on any occasion. And what about accessories? Of course, your distinctive voice and personality are the best accessories to complete any business message.
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“Listen to others. Make notes of comments you receive when you wear a particular style and/or special colour. Do you have a special item in your wardrobe you feel comfortable every time you wear it? Do you get compliments?”