26 of 27 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fair or Not, That's the Way It Is, March 3, 2002
This review is from: How to Make a Million Dollar First Impression (Paperback)
For many readers, this could well prove to be the most valuable book they have read in recent years. Why? Because Goldman and Smythe address a number of issues which frequently determine whether or not an ambitious person succeeds or fails in creating opportunities to pursue her or his career objectives. Do not be misled by the heavy emphasis on the importance of first impressions. Fair or not, unfavorable first impressions are almost always permanent impressions and there may never be second impressions. As Goldman and Smythe explain with meticulous care, almost all unfavorable impressions could have been avoided. I think they would agree with me that favorable first impressions soon prove worthless if they are the result of deception or hypocrisy. Their focus is correctly on common-sense preparations to make favorable first impressions which are authentic and can serve as a "bridge" to subsequent relationship development.
All of us have had extensive experience with those whom I call "dazzlers." You know the type. They have mastered all of what Goldman and Smythe recommend. Their first impressions are not only favorable but luminescent but prove (as we eventually discover) too good to be true. I suspect the title of this book was selected for marketing purposes. Ignore the title. The book is really not about monetary values or objectives. Rather, as already indicated, it is about doing everything possible (with integrity) to progress beyond an initial encounter. In other words, to "stay in the game" (whatever the game may be) and thereby to be able to "take your best shot" (whatever the target may be). The narrative is especially well-written. The advice is anchored in a wealth of real-world experience. And the 18 "Gold Nuggets" distributed throughout the 20 Parts are eminently practical.
For example, in Chapter 3, Goldman and Smythe cite research which suggests that first impressions are based on the following criteria:
53 percent is visual (e.g. physical appearance and body language)
38 percent is tone of voice
7 percent is what we actually say
Quarrel with the percentages but the implications are undeniable. I have examined other research data which suggest that, during a telephone conversation, tone of voice has 4-5 times more impact during an initial contact than does what is actually said. Once again, the implications are undeniable. Goldman and Smythe even include a section (Part 19) which discusses "Techno-etiquette: communication in the electronic age" and explain how to use a cell phone without annoying people around you, how to make your FAX correspondence flawless, why your e-mail may be fast but shouldn't be sloppy, and what the e-mail do's and don'ts are to be "techno-savvy."
Obviously, I think very highly of this book. Everyone can derive substantial benefit from it but it will be especially valuable to those now completing their education who are beginning to interview for jobs; also, to those involved in sales or customer service; also, to those well into a career who need assistance with effective networking while exploring opportunities elsewhere; finally, to those who feel they are taken for granted, under appreciated, perhaps even invisible. in their current position. Goldman and Smythe can help anyone to create opportunities which, without favorable and authentic first impressions, would otherwise be in inaccessible. If you have no need of their assistance, buy the book for those who do. They will be favorably impressed and forever grateful.
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9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
More likeThe Complete Idiot's Guide on How to Be Presentable, December 25, 2004
This review is from: How to Make a Million Dollar First Impression (Paperback)
First of all, this book only focuses on how to make a business impression. So if you're looking to impress at any other occasion, forget it, this book doesn't do it. And even at that, it only touches on the very basic and doesn't go into detail about how to do it, just what to do. I was very disappointed with the book (wouldn't pay five bucks for it) because most of the advice given are no-brainer and pure common sense, especially the section on clothing. This book would not be useful for those who are remotely socially adept and aware of others' perception and reactions toward them. People who have been well-socialized and have much common sense should already know 99.9% of the stuff mentioned by the author. I would only recommend it to those who are extremely introverted and don't know how to communicate well or present themselves properly (for example, if you think it's appropriate to wear bright yellow with slippers to an interview, then you need this book). For those who want to polish their skills at a more advanced level, I suggest Arch Lustberg's "How to Sell Yourself: Winning Techniques for Selling Yourself." It's a much more useful and detailed book that offers a lot more than the pure basics, and the advice given is not only meant for the business environment. I guess this book isn't half bad if you're completely clueless to how others perceive you. But I simply can't imagine someone who doesn't already know most of the stuff in it.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Good precise content., February 11, 2003
This review is from: How to Make a Million Dollar First Impression (Paperback)
The content of this book is really precise and to the point. The book could easily been 400 pages long by adding fluffly material if the authors wanted. But they have packed everything into 162 pages giving us only the powerful stuff. It makes for fast reading and doesn't bore you or make you go to sleep. It gave me back my moneys worth. And then some more.
I suggest everyone who has to meet a lots of people during their work to read this book.
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