POGO FUN

Hi guys,

I've red the below article in leading magazine and it was impressed me. so published this article to your view. read it and comment it.

Beauty is not skin deep, at least in the corporate industry. Apart from education, work experience and good interpersonal skills, an additional qualification that sells today in big organization is good looks. Your personal grooming and dress sense can influence your dream job and career advancement. Pria Warrick, president cum executive director, personality Labs, a leading corporate grooming and finishing school says, “Statistics conducted by the Harvard University report that one has to have 15 percent technical skills and 85 percent business skills and social graces to get a job. Today, looks have also become an additional qualification. So one’s appearance and the way you carry yourself are very important.”

A candidate is scrutinized thoroughly when he/she goes for an interview. The human resource department will check to see if you suit the image of the company you will represent. “Though good looks are not the criteria for selection we do look at appropriate dressing and presentation along with an understanding of the work,” Says Pankaj Shankar. Global Head – HR and RMG, Infogain.

Often it seems that those blessed with good looks are better equipped as far as career advancement concerned. Ashok Bahri, Vice President –HR Bharat BPO believes that first impression is the last impression. “good looking candidate with fair competency levels, have a higher chance of growing in their career rather than regular employees. I would prefer a candidate with good personality to an average one, considering both of the have the same qualification and technical skills.”

However, this concept has not gone well with everyone, especially the straightforward, average looking employee.

Take the case of Priya Harish, marketing personnel in a leading software company based in Chennai. “My collegue Aparna and I were short listed for an overseas assignment. Even though I have been in the company for a year more than her, she was selected for the post –all because she is slim, pretty and better looking than me. It really hurt my ego. I feel cheated,” says Priya.

Fair or not fair, it looks that this trend is here to stay and one has to work on look as well, if you want to make a mark in the corporate world. Like Ms Warrick says, “Corporates like beautiful people, the same way they like beautiful offices.”

Setting up and operating a courier business from home is an ideal way to make extra money easily. This agency is best run by a couple or, if not, with an employee who can be the driver and admin person. In this way, you will keep all your costs to a minimum resulting in more money in your pocket.

Your courier agency will provide a service to professionals and other businesses by transporting letters, documents, small parcels and packages from one place to another. Essentially, you will provide a light delivery service which is in great demand for items that need to be delivered as quickly as possible - faster than a postal service.

You will start up your business from home and only when you are doing steadily well, can you take up separate business premises. You will need a reliable vehicle or motorcycle with a storage box at the back. You will also need a telephone, someone to answer the phone, some office equipment like a desk and chairs, some stationery, roadmaps, etc. If you have a computer, then it can be utilized too.

Your best clients will be attorneys, pharmacies, accountants, wholesalers, vehicle parts suppliers, etc.

You must remember that marketing your services should be a continuous activity. You will always need to sign on new clients and keep existing ones. This ensures that your customer base grows healthily.

The more customers you can handle, the more profitable your operation will be. Be sure to treat your customers in a professional and efficient manner and be reasonable with your delivery rates.

Go through the phone book and contact as many businesses as possible telephonically. Make an appointment with these businesses and try and sell your services to them personally.

You may also wish to do a small display ad in the Yellow Pages to increase your customer base. Alternatively, small classified ads in the business services category of daily newspapers can do wonders too.