Did you know 93% of your first impression is from your visual appearance and vocal tone?  Karen D. Kaufman, MSOD presented valuable insights on evolving your personal brand for military veterans and mentors alike at The Union League of Philadelphia Veterans Fellowship Program session.

Our initial impressions are: 55% visual, 38% based on our vocal impact and only 7% of the content we actually say. This research is why I speculate that many people rarely remember someone’s name when meeting them for the first time. We take in their visual and vocal cues first, prior to truly listening and remembering.  To help improve these odds I suggest that when you introduce yourself, say your first name twice, and then your last name once.

My name is Karen, (pause) Karen Kaufman.  Both the repetition and the pause will help others remember your name which I find that people want to do in networking situations . Also, it will help them to introduce you to others.

Thank you Edward Courtney for sharing with your network.