If you are a regular viewer of, American Idol, you know that Simon Cowell always stresses the "it" factor when deciding whether a contestant qualifies, or not, to be the next American Idol. What is the "it" factor? The "it" factor is a combination of charisma, confidence, charm and the stage presence that screams, "I am IT!"

The book, Blink, by Malcolm Gladwell, is a must read. It's a book about rapid cognition, about the kind of thinking that happens in a blink of an eye. When you meet someone for the first time, or walk into a house you are thinking of buying, or read the first few sentences of a book, your mind takes about two seconds to jump to a series of conclusions. Blink is a book about those two seconds, because those instant conclusions that we reach are very powerful and important. Therefore, most potential clients (patients, corporations, other clients, etc.) have already decided if you are the "one to see" or "won" the contract the instant you walk into the room.
A business card, brochure, and business-to-business packet are great introductions and leave-behinds, but they do not substitute for what is below the surface. In addition, your clothing makes a statement about you and may also be considered in this "rapid cognition moment" when you walk through the door.

Each work environment brings different needs. In addition, the very conservative three-piece suit is making its way into the Museum of Natural History very soon. I use yoga as a counseling tool with my clients. A business suit would be quite a barrier in my work environment. Not long ago, I visited a multi-million dollar marketing company run by 25-year-old entrepreneurs. I walked in wearing a business suit, while the employees were dressed in jeans, looking very hip. I felt as if I just created a generational barrier and communication gap. Bottom line? Know your audience! One educator, that I communicated with, insisted that conservative business dress is very important when counseling "older" individuals as they respond better, and this is what she teaches her students/interns. I asked my 75-year-old father what he preferred, as he required counseling by a registered dietitian for his high cholesterol. He replied with, "I want to speak to someone on my level, not someone above me. If my dietitian is dressed casually, but nice, I would feel more comfortable vs speaking to a dietitian in a business suit."

"Who you know" is also part of the "it" factor. My father ran a successful printing business and taught me, "It is not what you know, but who you know." This has proven to be so true in my career. I got one of my first jobs at a local hospital, as my uncle was a best friend of the CEO. The last job, as an employee, I obtained accidentally when visiting a physician for PR purposes. I had two part time jobs at the time and the minute I walked into this particular clinic, the manager exclaimed, "We want you here." Open to switching one of my part time jobs, I explained that I did not have a resume with me that day. The manager laughed and gave me a pad of paper and a pencil. Although I jotted down the format of my resume that I could remember, it really didn't matter. I already had the job.

How can you improve your "it" factor? Learn the art of networking and making connections, along with how to be that person that you want to be. Being that person you want to be, involves doing the things that person does. It involves, not just thinking, but "feeling" --similar to American Idol contestants who are encourage to "feel" the words as they sing. We attract what we put out. The more authentic you are, this is the type of clientele you will receive in return. The more real you can be, more doors will open for you and you will be on your way to success!

And by the way, when researching Simon Cowell, I found out that he and I share the same birthday. Enough said!

Read Beverly Price's article, Entrepreneurship Programs: Valuable Assets for Today's Students in the August issue of Today's Dietitian on page 62.

Visit Jump Start Consulting at Booth #45, FNCE Product Market Place on Sunday, October 26th, along with the Carol Molfetta's Diabetes Core Curriculum, and learn more!

About Beverly Price, RD, MA, RYT

Beverly Price is a seasoned Registered Dietitian with over 24 years of experience in the field. In 2001, she sold her private practice, Living Better Sensibly-one of the largest private nutrition practices in the country- to a private nutrition consulting firm, and started Jump StartÒ Consulting, LLC, specializing in management and marketing strategies for dietitians along with distance learning products for continuing professional education. She also has designed a business curriculum for dietetic students and interns for educators to use in their curriculum. Beverly currently operates a private practice, in Huntington Woods, Michigan, where she specializes in eating disorder recovery and yoga therapy.

Jump Start Consulting, LLC is a Continuing Professional Education (CPE) Accredited Provider with the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR).


For more information, to order a product or register for a seminar

Upcoming seminars:

Greensboro, North Carolina on Friday, September 12th (Sept 2nd last day for early bird price).

Boston, Massachusetts on Friday, November 7th

Stay tuned for 2009 schedule and Webinars if Jump Start is not coming to a city near you!

Jump Start, Getting that Jump Start and Private Practice Getting that Jump Start are all registered trademarks of Jump Start Consulting, LLC. All articles are copyrighted and property of Jump Start Consulting, LLC.