In psychology and the cognitive sciences, perception is the process of acquiring, interpreting, selecting, and organizing sensory information.

In business, perception is reputation.

People acquire the information they use to form a perception about you and/or your organization in a number of ways.

They observe you. They interact with you. They handle things they receive from you (business cards, correspondence, brochures). They experience your electronic communication systems (phone, voice mail, email). They use your products and services. They hear about you from others.

Each of these points of contact has the power to influence, form, confirm, challenge or alter perceptions. Each of these points of contact has the power to influence if people like you or not like you. Trust you or not trust you. Believe you or not believe you. Each of these points of contact has the power to influence, for better or for worse, your ultimate success. Perceptions are powerful. Once formed, they are difficult to change. The fact that a perception may be inaccurate, matters little in how others relate to us.

Organizations seeking to establish a desired perception in the marketplace invest heavily in product packaging, advertising, marketing and internal systems. Interestingly, it is the sometimes overlooked element that is most responsible for the enduring perceptions people hold. The personal element.

The ability to influence the perception others hold is largely determined by the ability to ensure the visual and vocal messages we send, all day every day, are in alignment with the message intended.

How are you perceived? How do you want to be perceived?

Interestingly enough, we all possess the ability to project a competent image, and many of us employ these powerful skills daily. Yet more often than not, these skills are not utilized effectively or consciously, and thus we do not demonstrate the positive results we could with just a little fine tuning. For instance, a handshake can convey sociability, friendliness, and assertiveness if utilized correctly. If not, a handshake can send a message of social introversion, shyness and weakness. In the time it takes to shake hands, a person can be sizing up more than just the greeting.

The skills explored in Tero's Perception Series pave the way for us to engage trust and demonstrate our credibility. Participants in this comprehensive series will: