Make those first business impressions count

How long do you think you have to make a first impression on someone you meet in business or in life generally? One minute, 30 seconds, 20, 10? As it turns out, it’s actually just the blink of an eye. A series of experiments by two Princeton psychologists, Janine Willis and Alexander Todorov, reveal that all it takes is a tenth of a second to form an impression of a stranger from their face, and that longer exposures don’t significantly alter those first impressions. These judgments include opinions about a person’s trustworthiness, disposition, personality, and social status. How people judge us as entrepreneurs and how they judge our employees, reflects on what they think about our businesses and brands, that’s why it’s so important to make a good first business impression. So, here are the top six tips from that research on how to make the best possible first impression. Firstly, make eye contact; secondly, smile; thirdly, actively listen to the person you meet and pay attention to what they are saying; fourthly, speak with passion about your business; fifthly, read body cues; and finally, relax and be yourself. Above all, remember, you never get a second chance to make a great first impression, so make it count!