Today, let’s talk about the clothes we wear at work.

ACTIVITY: Read or listen to the article below and then watch the video.

Tell me about your country:

•  What do people usually wear for work?
• Is it okay to wear jeans and a t-shirt to work?

Sadly most people judge us within 10 seconds of seeing of us so although it is important to know what we say sometimes…..sometimes how we look speaks for us.

Dress the part of what ever is necessary for your business. For some it might be a business suit for others it may be a lab coat and for others it may be a pair of coveralls. Whatever it might be its important that your client knows you fit in for the work you must sell to them.

People often only hear and listen to about 10% of what you are saying. The rest isn’t so much on what you are saying but how your body language and tone of voice is making them feel. Wow!
Start with a sincere smile and a warm hand shake. Use a greeting that is comfortable for you “How was your flight”, “how were my directions”…etc.

By asking open ended questions you automatically give more control to the customer making them feel more comfortable.
Speak clearly and at the same speed as your client is speaking, unless your client has an unusual speech pattern. You don’t want to mimic them if that’s the case .

Smile while you talk it makes a huge difference. Regardless of whether you are sitting or standing it is important to keep your shoulders back and chest out. This already shows your client that you are confident about your work.

Relax and have fun.

Meeting a new client often means a long term relationship and may even lead to friendship – who knows?

Can’t see the video? Click HERE

ACTIVITY: Tell me about your country:

•  What do people usually wear for work?
• Is it okay to wear jeans and a t-shirt to work?

 SORRY. This gift is no longer available

It is Christmas time and nearly the end of 2008!

For me it has been a busy, but fun year. It has been great meeting you all and getting to chat and share with so many people from all over the world!

I want to say a BIG THANK YOU to you all! I hope you have had as much fun on Ask John English as I have!

To celebrate this special time of year, I want to give you a FREE GIFT!

This is a special ebook on body language. Here are the titles of just some of the chapters:

•      Chapter 3: Body Language in Negotiations
•      Chapter 4: Body Language in Selling
•      Chapter 5: Body Language in Job Interviews
•      Chapter 6: Body Language in Meetings
•      Chapter 7: Body Language in Flirting

This ebook is 50 pages of good advice on how to understand and use body language effectively! It is in PDF format, so you will need to have Adobe reader on your computer to read it (Download Adobe free here: http://get.adobe.com/reader/)

I am working hard to make Ask John English better. Could you answer 10 easy questions to help me do this? Your opinion is VERY IMPORTANT to me!

The link to download your free book is at the end of the 10 questions. Thank you!!

 SORRY. This gift is no longer available

I hope you enjoy the gift! Don’t forget to let me know what you think of it!

What did you learn? Let me know in the comments!

P.S. Yes, this is a picture of me dressed as Santa! I played Santa at a local kindergarten! It was a lot of fun!

Do you know what body language is? Body language is using your face or body to communicate.

For example, if you say:

• “What are you doing?” with an angry face

or

• “What are you doing?” with a happy face.

The words are the same, but the message is VERY different!

Today, let’s start to think about body language and how it helps or damages communication.

Watch this video:

This video is of a robot girl. It was built recently in Japan.

Many people say she looks scary! Actually, I think so too!

QUESTION: Why does she look scary? Think carefully about her BODY LANGUAGE.

• Is it natural?
• Why or why not?

Now think about your body language when you use English. Is it natural? What do you notice?

Put your answer in the comments!