Companies

Making the right impression on society

By Andrew Moody (China Daily)
Updated: 2010-08-30 16:01

Training

Part of her work in China has been with Chinese executives working for multinational companies, training them among other things to be more assertive.

"You often get situations where the Chinese executive is on a conference call with senior executives in New York, for example. The New York guys don't stop talking and are very verbal and the Chinese guy lets everyone talk and doesn't say a word," she said.

"When they get off the phone they might say, 'Well, he is not doing very well. We must replace him.'

"What I try and teach executives here is that they mustn't be so deferential. They must make their voice heard. They must say something, even if they think someone else has already said it."

Herman said Chinese businesswomen could also benefit from grooming techniques.

"If you look in the streets here, a lot of businesswomen look like students. They don't have to," she said.

She points to the women on reception and the waiting staff at the Ritz Carlton.

Image of Chinese girls

"If you look at the girls here, their hair and makeup is very well done. They are very well groomed and they look very professional. You don't have to do all the $2,000 Estee Lauder stuff. We do hair and make up in my office with freelance artists and it takes just five minutes," she said.

Herman said the clich that first impressions are vital in business is actually true.

"Whether it takes five seconds or two minutes to make that impression, it is still vital. It can be very difficult to change that perception," she said.

She said there are techniques to follow to help create a more favorable initial reaction.

"You need to have open body language, shake someone's hand firmly and, very importantly, look them in the eye," she added.

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Herman insists creating a positive image is not about suddenly changing personality and being someone you are not.

"People say to me they are introverts or 'not the life and soul of the party' and I say to them: 'So what?'. It is all about confidently presenting who you are. Often it is about making simple adjustments," she said.

Meanwhile, Herman is looking forward to working with Chinese executives with her new classes in London.

"It will be like a finishing school and will be a fast track to giving them an understanding about good food, wine, clothes, culture and the arts: a little bit of everything," she added.

"The aim will be to make them more rounded people so they will be more confident in various key situations."