First Impressions Are Great, Lasting Impressions Are Even Better.

First impressions are Great, Lasting Impressions Are Even Better.

Lots of people are very concerned about first impressions. Yes. They should rightly be. After all, research on the issue indicates that people basically reach a conclusion on whether they like you or not in about one tenth of a second upon meeting you for the first time. Subsequently, first impressions determine whether you get a second chance or not. So yes, it is very important to make the best possible first impression. But what happens afterwards?

Unfortunately lots of people just focus so much on first impressions and simply forget about lasting impressions. It is quite common especially in Ghana, to have lots of people or businesses treating you like royalty on the first interaction and then treating you like trash subsequently. It looks like after they get your business or make your acquaintance, the love quickly evaporates like soap bubbles in sunlight.

Politicians are so polite when they come asking for your votes and then promptly use police dispatch riders to push you out of the way after they win. It appears that, all that matters to most people is to make a good first impression without any consideration for a lasting impression. This is why most people and businesses are not able to stay on top for long or easily fade away after a brief period of time. They fail to earn loyalty.

First impressions are very powerful. In fact a  bad first impression can extremely affect the way something is perceived for a long time. However a good lasting impression goes beyond perception. It creates confidence, devotion, trust and loyalty. A good lasting impression is created by a commitment to the maintenance and even enhancement of quality and reliability. A good lasting impression says, I'm not just in for a quick sale or a little profit. I'm in for a lasting relationship. That's how loyalty and commitment are created. A good first impression may give you an enthusiastic customer but a good lasting impression will give you a loyal partner and client. These are the people who become your fans, tribe and family.

So the next time you set out to make a good first impression, remember to follow it up with a good lasting impression. That's how you turn strangers to family.
~Dr. Samuel Tinagyei