Bumps & Bruises
Dress Codes for Client Presentations
by George Hedley

After Speaking in St. Louis, I was cleaning and repacking my props & computer. It was hot so I took off my suit coat & tie and set it down on the stage. 30 minutes later I finished, looked around one last time and took off for the airport.

The next morning I am in San Francisco for a 8:30am keynote. I get up a 6:00am and start getting ready and realize I left my coat & tie in St. Louis. Now what? Well I tried 10 sources to get a quick coat & tie but to no avail. I went on stage underdressed and embarrassed. But, I was honest and told the audience what had happened and asked for their understanding. They turned out to be the warmest group I have ever worked in front of. Why? I opened up, became vulnerable and let them know my feelings and honestly shared my problem with them. It was cool!

Lesson to Learn: The message is you! The message is not your clothes, your power point presentation, your overheads, the lighting, the room set-up or your handout (Even thought I am very focused on getting all of those things perfect when I speak). Be YOU. Give them YOU. All of YOU. Don’t memorize. Don’t tell them stuff you read in books. Don’t give them theory. Don’t worry about your lines. Tell them YOUR experiences. Share what works for YOU from YOUR OWN personal and business real life examples that YOU have experienced. They want YOU. Be YOU.

P.S. A packing list would help too!!!