How about manager who wears a cardigan, light grey suit and brown shoes. He also has a beard. Would you feel confident using his services? Does he appear to be 'with it'? Would you think his organisation is up with times?

And personal assistant with low cut top and tight fitting pants? Is she being perceived as a competent person and someone you'd take seriously? She may suit image of a trendy organisation and yet what opinions would you form if she worked with you?

We've all seen or know of people like this. Perhaps it's you and you don't even know it!

Image in Workplace It's a serious business. Image Consultants are being hired by organisations to teach their people how to present themselves in best possible way. How are you and your people perceived by your clients, prospects and suppliers?

Your personal image can be either positive or negative. It can accelerate your success or hinder it.

The Final Word Looking successful is just as important as being successful. Whether we like it or not, people judge us in a number of ways. To be credible we have to look like we know what we're talking about as well as having skills and abilities to deliver.

Lorraine Pirihi is Australia's Personal Productivity Specialist and Leading Life Coach. Her business The Office Organiser specialises in showing small business owners and managers, how to get organised at work so they can have a life! Lorraine is also a dynamic speaker and has produced many products including "How to Survive and Thrive at Work!"

To subscribe to her free ezine visit www.office-organiser.com.au

Or perhaps you are one of those people like me. You always make sure you write clear and concise emails. You also review them before clicking SEND button and you consider yourself to be pretty good with your email communication. But one day you get an email like “The Big Bear is being replaced by Giant Eagle.” Which one of three choices listed above would you choose to do in order to handle this email? Would you choose to “guess” at meaning like everyone else? If so, you need to think about a very simple solution – and that is to simply click “REPLY” button and say: “Please clarify your statements so that I may sufficiently handle your request.”

Yes … it’s sad that Big Bear grocery stores were replaced by grocery store chain, Giant Eagle. For one thing, Big Bear stores had best deli food in city and prepared excellent trays for many corporate functions in and around Columbus. But real question here is: “Did you learn anything to improve your email communication skills by reading this article?” I hope so. I also hope to receive more email messages in near future that are clear and concise so that I can accurately respond to them.