my Aura quoted in the national print media ( outlook magazine)

www.outlookindia.com | The Fork In Thy Hand

www.outlookindia.com

Handshakes: "Speak a lot about you"

Handshakes are used in greetings, meetings, introductions and day to day life situations. The way you shake hands speaks a lot about you as a person, your self Image you want to project, your authority, position and how friendly you are to bond with others confidently.

Few hand shakes which reveals what kind of a person you are..
1) Cold clammy hand  You are showing your nerves i.e you are nervous and this could be a let down to others.
Make sure your hands are dry and clean.
2) Bone crusher  Are you a breaking bone kind? making people wince when you shake hands shows that probably you are insecure..thus you try to overcompensate it by trying to one up the person.
3) Finger hook  You reach for someone's fingers instead of palm, shows you are indecisive and in a rush..
4) Limp Fish      Giving your hand partially like a dead fish shows lack of interest and shows insecurity and fear. You are not allowing him to know that you exist.
5) Two handed grip  It is a sign of friendship and informality . Men need to be careful about using this style with women, unless they are too familiar.
6) Fist Bump  Save it for your buddies outside your office.


Perfect Hand shake...
Best hand shake is when you stand up as the person approaches you or extending your hand when you are about two to three feet away. Extend your arm angled across your chest with your thumb side up and make a confident eye contact with a smile. Shake hands two to three times before letting go.
Give a firm hand shake and show your warmth and confidence. Hand shakes lead to the perceptions  made about you by others and are also responsible in creating everlasting ' First Impressions'. It also helps in building a rapport between the individuals so next time while shaking hands remember these simple pointers..

• Rise if seated ( both for men and women)
• Walk up to the person confidently.
• Keep your hands out of your pockets and keep your right hand free.
• Smile briefly but don't overdo it.
• Make eye contact but don't stare or look at your shoes.
• Face the person heart to heart.
• If your hands are clammy or wet, wipe them first with a handkerchief or tissue.
• Reach out your right hand with confidence and smile.
• Hand should be straight with thumb on top.
• Make palm to palm contact.

Hand shake is a very important element in communicating your personal image and intent. It speaks a lot about you as a person and what you think, so next time get ready to make an everlasting first impressions and reach the success in life.....

To know more about hand shakes like when  and when not to extend hand ? What to do when the other person is eating or his/ her hands are full?, When you meet some one of higher ranking? or what to do when you leave the house or the meeting gets over? or probably when you travel how about the international protocols? or when you face a female client /boss? For a detailed description contact 'my Aura' Image, Etiquette and Business Consultants.


my Aura is always there in case you need any further information.
Please feel free to visit www.myauraimageconsultant.com or
contact us at: info@myAuraImageConsultant.com

Exchanging Business Cards

Business card is an identity of the individual and about the work with which he or she is associated. It is an extension of introducing yourself to others on paper. It shows your personality and the Image you want to portray.

Here are ten "my Áura" rules of etiquette for business cards:
1. Always use a neat, crisp, clean and pristine card when offering to someone.
2. Always offer card either with right or both the hands. Never offer card with your left hand.
3. While offering the card always look towards the face of the person and keep the front printed side of the card upwards and facing the receiving person.
4. Always receive a card with your right or both the hands. Give it a look for few seconds and try to compliment about it like' how beautiful the color of the card is 'or' you really appreciate the design of the card'.
5. Do not scribble or write on the card in front of the person who is offering you. In Japan it is considered to be writing on the face of the person.
6. Never put the business card in the back pocket of your trouser and sit on it. Always keep the card either in the front pocket of your shirt or in the card case.
7. Always present only one card to one person. Never distribute your business card like you are playing poker cards.
8. Never offer business card during meals.
9. If presenting business card to more than one person start from the highest ranking and move down according to the position and authority.
10. Always offer your business card with a smile and see the difference.

my Aura is always there in case you need any further information. 
Please feel free to visit www.myauraimageconsultant.com or 
contact us at: info@myAuraImageConsultant.com

"Beyond Geometry"

Hi everyone, as  I was just arranging my wardrobe last evening, got to see my old geometry box and  had a thought that how our body shapes play an important role in image styling and projection. "How many of you really know your exact body shapes and the attires which looks best on you"?

Well to begin with let me share this with you all that the only way to know what type of clothes look good on you is for you to know your body type. Wearing the proper clothes proportionately right for you can and does make a difference. Just because a particular style is 'in' does not mean this style is right for you.

Which body type you think is you are?

If your shoulders and bust are about the same size and you curve in at the waist, you have an hourglass figure.

If your Shoulders, waist and hips are about the same size, you have a straight figure.

If your hips and thighs are wider than your shoulders, you have a triangular figure.

   

       

If your shoulders are wider than your hips and thighs, you have an inverted triangular figure.

                   

Hour glass

This is the easiest figure to work with.

You can wear fitted tops & fitted bottoms with emphasis on your small  waist.

Call attention to waist and midriff with belts.

De-emphasize bust with non-clingy tops.

Emphasize curve of hip with two piece jersey dresses or fitted pants.

Balance between top and bottom.

Look for clothing that has simple lines and follows the soft curves of your hourglass figure.

Straight

When you have this figure type, you are straight all the way from your shoulders to your feet. 

There is no defined waistline and both the top and bottom of body are of equal width.

            

You can wear anything an hourglass type can wear, but you have to be conscious about creating a waistline out of your figure.

Triangle

This figure type has sloping shoulders, a small bust line and big hip & thigh area.

This type needs width at upper area so horizontal lines are the solution.

Emphasize the midriff and waist with belts. De emphasize the lower with dark bottoms and  A line skirts.

Look for clothing that emphasizes the waist.

Inverted triangle 

This figure type has wide shoulders and smaller lower body part. Choose vertical lines and dark colors.

Emphasize bottom by wearing dark and prints. Give illusion of balance with dark colors on top and light at bottom.

That is for today will talk tomorrow about petite and full figures and the type of dressing required. Before I end will leave you all with this link in Times of India, will help you to understand more about body shapes. 

http://www.ahmedabadmirror.com/article/35/2011070120110701025712499acbb7fc9/Dressed-to-hide.html


my Aura is always there in case you need any further information. Please feel free to visit & contact Us at: www.myAuraImageConsultant.com 

Campus To Corporate - 'Facing Interview'

You are a new graduate with an admirable degree and you have set your heart on life as a corporate employee.. Unhappily, large obstacles lie in your way. No business degrees as yet address the art of consultancy; since you are fresh from campus, no one in the business world has experienced your rare skills. Most importantly, you are young  and have to face many challenges in life, be it a job interview or entering the corporate world at the managerial post.


The corporate sectors believe in performance.When a student is going to attend any campus to get selected for job, he or she must keep in his or her mind that the corporate sectors are full of challenges. Work pressure is inevitable. Hence, one must learn about how to be adjustable in such situations. During the academic sessions, the qualities like team-spirit, punctuality, creative bent of mind and the last but not the least honesty must be cultivated in order to lead the corporate world. Appropriate dress code is also a matter of fact. But before all this, facing interviews could be an anxious process but it can also be a great learning experience.


First Impressions are critical when entering a room for an interview. You should try to find out the answers to some questions like do you feel excited or reticent, which areas of your interview style need changes,you speak slow or fast and what style of dressing you prefer?

Be careful to match your style of dress to that of your interviewer, industry and region.

If you prefer to dress formally, you will probably feel more comfortable and confident. Your speech pattern should be well paced, not too fast and not too slow. Avoid fillers like 'you know'

'kind of' and always do a complete research  of the company before you go for the interview.

 Mistakes To Be Avoided At An Interview:

1. Being unprepared.
2. Not knowing why you are the good candidate for the job.
3. Nervousness.
4. Monopolizing the conversation.
5. Giving one word answers.
6. Lying.
7. Showing little enthusiasm for the job.
8. Being too modest.
9. Poor Appearance & Body Language.
10. Bad mouthing a former employer.
11. Being Defensive.

Tips for successful Interview:

1. Prepare yourself.
2. Dress appropriately for the position.
3. Approach each interview as a chance to advance your career.
4. Don't live in the past.
5. Be yourself.
6. Sell yourself by preparing some success stories to tell.
7. Give an impressive introduction.
8. Turn negative experiences into positive by figuring out what you learned from them.
9. Make eye contact and a good hand shake.
10. Match the energy of the interviewer.
11. Stay calm.
12. Avoid personal details.
13. Be positive and think for the BEST.

ALL THE BEST!!!

The beauty of Indian Sari

Sari is an epitome of Indian beauty from ages. Indian saris are beautiful and gorgeous and have captured the hearts of millions of people all over the world. Indian sari is the mark of cultural and regional diversity of our country.

Sari is derived from a Sanskrit word ‘sati’ which means a ‘strip of cloth’. It has several types and can be draped in several styles like : 

• Nivi- worn in Andhra Pradesh                     
• Bengali and Omiya style
• Gujarati style 
• Maharashtrian
• Kodagu of Karnataka
• Malayali in kerala

With liberalization and changing global market sari’s are re emerging in new innovative designs and trends in different fabrics, embroidered, beaded and many more.. Another emerging trend is love for designer saris. We all are turning to top designers; no doubt they add a brand value to the sari collection and to your wardrobe. There are prints, floral, bold prints, graphics and images, geometric patterns. Ethnic and tribal flair are fabulous for adding an extra zing! to your personality. Plain saris with beautiful sequined borders and retro blouses are a mix of contemporary styling and an addition to glamour quotient..

Try out your color palette. Pastels, pinks, reds, and oranges are always classic but you can also opt for much bolder color choices. Experiment with deep saturated hues of your favorite colors..

Tips for sari shopping:

• Decide the purpose of shopping. Don’t go for impulsive buying.
• Plan your budget.
• Decide the shops you want to give a look.
• Select colors which best suites you. Don’t go for colors in fashion as each individual have own color palettes. 
• Color which suits you most will lift your face, eyes and hair.
• If you have a broad heavy, body frame opt for sheer fabrics like chiffon and Georgette which will give you a slim look.
• If you want to look tall avoid big prints, broad borders. Go for plains, geometric patterns with small or no border. Vertical stripes can also be a good option.
• If you want to look short go for dark colors with big and broad borders.
• Accessorize your attire with a piece of necklace and earrings and try new innovative styles of sari draping…
• Designer fitting blouses can add an extra glamour to your entire look.

Happy Sari Shopping!!!!!!! 

Image Consultant - The world is Calling!!!

Image consultants are professionals that help people to enhance their personal and professional look, increase their communication skills, and to learn proper social behavior. The main vision behind image consulting is helping men and women to feel better about themselves.An image consultant is someone who knows style, etiquette and how to make a good sale. All he does is pass on that information to you.
A consultant teaches men the things they need to succeed in a world where time is sparse, impressions count more than ever and a cleancut image can make or break you. Besides giving advice on pinstripes and handshakes, consultants claim to boost their clients’ confidence, persuasion skills and communication abilities. By fine-tuning body language, social graces and networking tactics, clients feel better armed in the ruthless business game of survival.
In a standard session with an image consultant you will learn how to:

• Pick a wardrobe for your line of work, and that suits your body type and personality
• Shop for clothes efficiently
• Groom yourself properly
• Hide body and skin imperfections that may subconsciously turn people off

An image consultant will also teach you how to:

• Behave at different functions
• Talk in a confident, authoritative manner
• Make effective presentations
• Handle small talk and awkward silences
• Use nonverbal communication effectively and eliminate nervous jitters
• Take the upper hand in a media interview
• Use the right cutlery for the right dishes at formal dinners

Services provided by my Áura

Why should you see an Image Consultant?A great time to see an image consultant is when you are looking to get a new job or have recently been hired for one. Starting a new job or even just interviewing for one is a very stressful time. In today's fast-paced world first impressions count, and your competence, intelligence and reliability is judged within seconds.
Did you know that your visual appearance accounts for more than half the impression you give other people? This means that knowing how to manage your personal presentation so that you are quickly seen as effective and confident is as critical as any business skill on a resume. Unfortunately, workplace fashion can be tricky, as different businesses have different needs. For instance, if you were to work in a clothing store there is a good chance that you would want to dress in the latest trendy clothing (probably from the store where you work), but if you worked in a law office, professional attire is a must.

These days though, it is not just business attire you need to worry about, but also business casual. Many workplaces now have 'casual Friday' where employees can dress down a little. While this can be a lot of fun, it can also be a minefield. Unless there is a specified theme, you are left on your own as to what you should wear. Every workplace will be different but you still need to keep in mind the type of business you work for and the standards that are generally accepted there.

Professional image consultants know how to help you dress for success, and also how to use body language, business etiquette and colour to your advantage. So if you're interested in revamping your appearance for a new job or even just an interview, you may want to think about using the services of an image consultant.

Introduction to the world of Image & Image Management

Image is a ‘mental conception’ of a person or an organization. Image is the beliefs that we have about someone or something. It may be the impressions we form. When meeting someone new, or it may be an individual’s or company’s reputation developed over time.
Our impressions about other people may be based on how they look, talk or behave. A persons overall “image” may consist of a variety of factors like their clothing, grooming, tone of voice, vocabulary, facial expressions, eye contact, gestures and social behavior ( known as etiquette).
Public opinion about companies can be influenced by advertising, when visiting their retail outlets, speaking with customer care representative, branding and logo designing.
It takes only10 seconds of meeting with you that your peers, co-workers, boss – everyone – determined three things about you?

For good or for bad, whether they’re right or wrong, within 10 seconds your contemporaries pigeonholed you somewhere along the gradients of three categories. They determined in just a few seemingly meaningless moments:

1) Your socioeconomic status
2) Your educational level
3) Your desirability

In other words, they’ve determined how successful you are now, ergo how successful you are likely to be in the future. They’ve determined how intelligent you are, ergo how competent you are, or worse, how easily you can be taken advantage of. And last, they've determined how valuable you are over all.

Before a single word slips from your tongue, they’ve got you pegged. So how is it that within such a nominal amount of time, so many people can make so many decisions without even realizing how they’ve done it?

The short answer?
Your IMAGE.

Like it or not, the “line” of your clothing and the colors you wear from your hair right down to your shoes says volumes about you. Just as an architectural plan is indispensable to a building’s construction, so too is a plan for your image. Think about it. Would you disregard the advice of an architect when creating a structure designed for beauty, practicality and steadfastness? Of course not.

But every day, millions of business people just like you get dressed and walk out the door without a single thought to the hidden messages their clothing, accessories and overall appearance reveals. Why?
Because they simply don’t know what they don’t know. Dressing without understanding the rules of color, color psychology and “line” of clothing, is like building a house without an architectural plan. Odds are, you will undermine your credibility and not even know it.

That’s why RIGHT NOW is the time to design YOUR IMAGE – using the most effective tools and principles available.
So your image is your reflection, perceived by others either good or bad it depends on How you project it. Your image is responsible for the perceptions made by others as an individual and ensures how distinctively you stand out from others.
A positive image is a mirror of self confidence and achievement leading to a path of success.
Recent studies have shown that appearance certainly does count when it comes to getting higher salaries. Identical resumes were sent to recruiters accompanied by different photographs of the supposed interviewee. Starting salaries proposed ranged between 8 to 20 percent higher when the image presented by the interviewee was professional and well groomed over the same interviewee that looked mediocre

Appropriateness; it above all things signals that the wearer understands what level of dress is most suited to their industry, position, business occasion, figure type, weight and the message that they wish to transmit. People you meet will automatically accept the role that YOU have packaged yourself for. The first step in gaining a credible and professional image is realizing that you can control the opinions of others, especially concerning what they think you are capable of. Everyday dress and act in a way that gives others a great experience of you. While good impressions can be achieved in less than 90 seconds, the same can be just as quickly destroyed by a poor last impression. Even when rapport has been established with a client or customer never leave them feeling unappreciated, or brushed off as they are likely to dwell on the experience and associate it with other previous minor misdemeanors (now blown out of proportion) and may decide to check out your competition.
The impression you make on others can be broken down into 4 basic components. Each is judged subliminally and by degrees e.g. Not only will you be judged as trustworthy or not but how trustworthy you appear to be will also be determined.

The four basic components are:

• Your Credibility: Your level of believability, apparent qualifications, level of intelligence, competence, trustworthiness, honesty, and sincerity. 
• Your Likeability: How likeable: endearing, affable, emotionally expressive and sociable you appear to be and how much you are like them as portrayed through your dress, behavior, voice, seniority, experience, nationality, age, sex etc.
• Your Personal Attractiveness: Not how slim, young or fashionable you are, but how well you manage and present yourself as you are. Great grooming and dress sense says much about your level of self-esteem, self-respect, and confidence.
• Your Confidence: Your apparent level of power, ability, personal assuredness and authority, etc.

Your appearance strongly influences other people’s perception of your:

• Financial success
• Authority
• Trustworthiness
• Intelligence
• Self esteem

Your verbal and nonverbal communication skills influences people’s behavior towards you like:

• Complying with you request
• Trusting your information
• Hiring you or purchasing your product
• Your confidence
• Loyalty

Image has an impact in people’s private life as well.
Example- Go to shop at a fine store dressed in what you would normally wear as a routine, like you wear when at home. Then visit the same store looking well groomed and wearing your BEST. Observe how you are treated by staff, in both the situations.
Our image can have a significant effect on our happiness by affecting friendships and family relationships.