Sales Truths: Your Handshake Quickly Becomes a First Impression

WHY IT IS TRUE: You have only one opportunity to make a first impression. No surprise, your handshake plays a big part in forming that initial opinion. Believe it or not, customers may doubt your abilities if you extend a “wet fish.”

PLAN OF ACTION: Assemble all staff for a brief workshop on the good, bad and ugly of shaking hands with a customer. Ask everyone to stand while you walk around shaking hands with each person. Expect a few “bone crushers” as a clever response. After a few laughs, get serious and ensure everyone exchanges good firm handshakes with each other. If a first impression is really a lasting impression, you’ve now taken a big step in creating that first impression. 

This article originally appeared in the March 2015 edition of INSTORE.