Frank Kelly begins his keynotes with an example of the power of first impressions. "I wear a suit that's one size too large, have bad posture, and carry a piece of paper. I start, in a very monotone voice, 'Um, yes, I'm here to talk to you about leaving a lasting impression.'" Just as the audience begins to fidget and feel uncomfortable, he changes his demeanor and takes off the ill-fitting suit to reveal a well-tailored one beneath. Kelly says that the exercise shows the power of a positive impression, and is quick to add that "I warn the plannerthe first 10 seconds will be extremely awkward, but don't panic."
Kelly, named Esquire magazine's Best Dressed Real Man in America in 2007, works to inspire audiences to approach their lives with confidence, a positive attitudeand a spiffy ensemble. He uses the acronym ACE to explain that first impressions turn to lasting ones through Attitude, Communication Skills, and External Image.
While some may call it frivolous to discuss attire during tough economic times, Kelly believes that "it's especially important to talk about this during a recession," although he notes that finances are always an important concern. "Many times people think that to get the CEO look, you have to have the CEO salary. That's so far from the truth," he says. Kelly recommends purchasing a suit from a retailer in a comfortable price bracket and taking the piece to a local tailor who can make it fit perfectly.
Kelly marries the dapper style of our grandfathers with the needs of the modern businessman, and he understands how to encourage others to dress well without looking ridiculous. Popular topics for corporate groups include: "Color in the Workforce," in which he discusses selecting shirts, ties, and suits that complement skin tone and coloring, without overdoing it; "Don't Let Your Suit Wear You," with secrets on how to determine if a suit is oversized, how to remedy this, and how to avoid this mistake when suit shopping; "Your 'Off the Clock' Style" for quick and easy tips on how to transition office attire to a night-on-the-town look; and "The 50/50 Pattern Rule," which delves into combining more than one pattern in an outfit.
Audiences consist mainly of three types of attendees: college students entering the workforce who need to learn how to leave a lasting impression at interviews, front-line employees who directly interact with customers, and senior-level managers who are looking to inspire those below them and lead by example. "The Richard Bransons and Jack Welches of the worldthese are individuals who truly embody the idea of leaving a lasting impression," says Kelly.
Getting Frank
Fee: $6,500
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: 1-305-733-8071
Web site: www.frankkelly.net
Originally published July 1, 2008
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