3 best ways Singapore employees can improve their image

Adopt these to impress your bosses.

According to the results of a recent survey on Impact of Image conducted by the Singapore Chapter of the Association of Image Consultants International (AICI Singapore), the top 3 image-makers for men and women means: Being polite and courteous, looking fresh and clean, and that speech is clear and sounding confident.

“A professional image is more than dressing smart and looking polished. The survey shows that your behaviour and communication also affect how people perceive you. To project a positive image, you need to develop all the three areas,” said Catherine Chan, VP Communications of AICI Singapore and Chair of the survey project.

The survey polled 311 executives, managers and above from across all industries in Singapore, with company size of more than 10 staff.

This is important, especially since bosses seem to place greater importance on staff’s image as compared to the managers and people who report to them, the survey also found.

75% of senior management compared to half of lower management feel projecting a professional image is very/fairly important even for Finance/HR/Operations/Backend Staff.

Nearly 8 in 10 of senior management say that image has a great impact on their decision to hire (apart from qualifications, experience, etc). This is significantly higher than the views of lower management, where just over half say so.

Overall, senior management also gives greater weight to image when assigning staff to meet clients or give presentations. This applies to staff giving internal presentations too.

47% of senior management thinks image affects their decision (to a great extent), when it comes to promoting a staff, compared to only 3 in 10 in lower management.

95% of senior management are more likely to say image has great/some impact on salary increment/bonus, compared to about 8 in 10 in lower management.

“The survey findings are significant in that those in senior management are the decision-makers who speak from experience and recognise the importance of having a professional image,” said Pang Li Kin, President of AICI Singapore.

“What this means for middle managers and employees, is that looking and behaving professionally is essential at all levels, and needs to be cultivated early. Apart from qualifications and performance, projecting a professional image does affect your career success,” added Li Kin.