Dress for Success -- The Politics of Wearing the Right Message

The message is the most important part of your business communications, but how you deliver it can either amplify it or obscure it.

Yesterday, I attended a mayoral question-and-answer session hosted by a local nonprofit network. Beyond the impact that politics has on business, the theatre of politics offers us a handy window to see how delivery methods can impact your message.

(And don't worry, we're not going to get political here... We've been pretty clear in discussing our thoughts on the relationship between politics and business and the uncomfortable impact it can have.

When it comes to oratory in politics, there are a number of ways you can present yourself:

• Are you aggressive or passive?
• Are you reserved or theatrical?
• Are you buried in your notes or do you look around and make eye contact?
• Do you stick to a script or do you allow yourself to follow tangents?
• Is it "just the facts" or do you regale the audience in anecdotes?

When it comes to public speaking there are so many elements that go into successful delivery of messaging. Do you keep your hands at your sides or do you "talk with your hands?" Do you look people in the eye or keep your head down? Body language matters.

So how does that translate to your business communications? Simple -- it's all about finding your style, finding your voice, and ensuring it's delivered to your audience in the best way possible. From Web content development to your social networks, today's business is in near-constant communication with your clientele. 

You have to take a good, long, hard look at your organization and what you want to be. And, honestly, a lot of it is just "feel."

That's a horrible thing to consider for bottom-line businesses, because it's hard to measure, identify, or define "feel." But you should have an idea of what your business sounds like. Think advertising -- there's reason why beer companies go for youthful irreverence and why banks tend to be more subdued. After all, you want to have a good time at a party, but you don't want someone playing fast-and-loose with your money.

Politics is the same way. Candidates define themselves not just by a platform, but through presentation. Do you want to be the man or woman of the people? The wise, experienced vet? The excited, vibrant newcomer? A combination of some or all of those elements?

Body content language matters. Fonts, images, colours, styles, appearance, structure -- they all combine to provide the prism through which your message is filtered. In politics, you're trying to woo a vote -- in business, you're looking for customers, employees, and media.

Finding the right image to amplify your message matters. And you need look no further than politics for inspiration.

Your thoughts? Does your messaging reflect your business? Do you feel your voice matches your brand?