Mastering the Art of the First Impression

At National Tax Office, we want to put all our entrepreneur clients on the right track when starting a successful business. Since you’ll be meeting with potential clients of your own, one of the most critical things you need to keep in mind is the importance of a first impression. A first impression can make or break a visit with a client. A good entrepreneur will want to give off a feeling of confidence and competence to potential clients. Here are a few tips that you should follow if you want to make your business a success.

Start with a Firm Handshake

First meetings in professional relationships often start off with a handshake. When shaking hands, make sure to use a firm, complete grip and maintain eye contact. A loose, wimpy handshake can signify weakness. A firm handshake indicates to many people that you’re confident, trustworthy, and you have leadership qualities.

Be Courteous

You should always meet any potential client with courtesy and respect. Although most people know about this and try to be courteous, a person can be discourteous without even realizing it. One of the most discourteous things you can do is to constantly check your phone. Whether it’s to send a text or even just to check your mail, it sends a message to a client that you have more important things to do.

Use Positive Body Language

Just like how a good handshake can indicate favorable factors about you, using positive body language can do the same. Make sure your expressions and gestures remain positive. Keep a friendly tone of voice while you’re speaking. Also, maintain eye contact with your client while either of you are talking.

Be an Active Listener

Instead of spending more time thinking about what you’re going to say, make sure to actually listen when your potential clients speak. Don’t interrupt; listen to everything a client says. Also, be sure to ask questions to show that you’re paying attention and you’re interested in the conversation that’s going on.

Humanize Your Conversations

This is something that many professionals and businessmen can forget. Don’t be too stiff. Try to find some common ground in a topic that can be fun for you both (though taxes can be fun too!). Taking a few minutes to befriend and make a connection will go a long way toward turning your potential client into a client.

Contact Us Today!

For the entrepreneur who has paid attention and adhered to the tips, you’re one step closer to gaining the trust of your client and gaining repeat business. If you have any questions or comments, please don’t hesitate to contact us online or by phone at (844) 686-1040. We hope to hear from you soon!

How Diet Affects Your Work

Entrepreneurs are constantly looking for ways to improve efficiency and productivity, and if you fit this description, we’ll bet you’ve read countless books, articles, and blog posts on the newest way to enhance your work output. But while you may be up to your eyeballs in time tracking systems and organization tools, there’s one productivity hack we bet you’re not considering: your food.

More Than Just Fuel

For most of us – particularly busy workaholics – food is just fuel. We prepare it (or, more likely, purchase it) and eat it as quickly as we can, eager to get our midday fix and get on back to work. But that’s a flawed analogy, because food gives us more than just energy. Food is literally how the body creates itself on a continual basis, and this constant process of remaking has a big impact on our productivity.

All food is eventually metabolized into glucose, which our brains and cells burn to create energy and keep going. But that metabolizing happens at different rates. For high carb foods, it happens all at once, giving us a boost of energy followed by a crash. For high fat foods, it’s more of a slow burn – but they make our digestive tract work harder, leading to lower brain oxygen levels and a feeling of grogginess. Healthier foods with more lean protein and omega-3 fats lend themselves to a sustained, well-timed release of energy, leaving you motivated, curious, engaged, and productive throughout the entire day.

Contact Your Tax Preparation Business Partners

Once you’ve got your diet optimized for success and are ready to get to work owning your own business, we’re here to help. If you have questions on how National Tax Office can help you start your own tax preparation business, feel free to call us at 844.686.1040, read up on our FAQ, or reach out to us at our contact page with any questions. We can’t wait to hear from you, and we look forward to helping you live the dream of owning your own business.