ImagesMagUK_August_2021

74 images AUGUST 2021 www.images-magazine.com KB What does it mean to be a professional? Marshall Atkinson analyses the true definition of a professional and asks: do you measure up? Professionals know the value of the work that they offer J ust what does it mean to be a professional? Well, let me start by telling you what it is not: for me, the description of a professional is none of the following three things. Outward appearance You don’t have to wear a suit and tie or a dress to be a professional. I’m sure you have met a waiter, bartender, gardener or creative designer that is more professional in demeanour than some accountants, lawyers or bankers you know. Don’t judge a book by the cover. I don’t care what you are wearing. A suit and tie don’t make you more of a professional than someone in blue jeans, T-shirt and hoodie. Fancy title What someone puts on their business card doesn’t make them better or worse than anyone else. It’s the actions that I want to see. Do they return a phone call or email? Are they helpful to you? That’s more important than their job title. Besides, I know plenty of people with cute titles on their business cards like ‘Head Bottle Washer’ or ‘Rocket Scientist’. They were neither. Also, you can’t be a true CEO if you are the only person in the company. If this is you, nobody believes that, and they think you are a poser. You might want to rethink that strategy. Office location One thing to come out of the Covid situation is that ‘where’ someone does their work matters little. You can be just as professional working from your kitchen table as you can from a corner office. What matters more than anything is the productivity that happens every day. Having said that, for many jobs you have to be present to win. A screen printer has to be at the press in order to print the shirts. Unless the shop is in the garage or basement, you can’t do that from home. BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT “I don’t care what you are wearing... You don’t have to wear a suit and tie or a dress to be a professional”