They say that humans need less than two seconds to form a first impression. I’d imagine that’s even less nowadays when our minds are bombarded for competing attention and headspace.
If people are going to form their own opinion and perspective without much information and, in such an unreasonable time frame, why would a company dedicate resources to a position titled, Director of First Impressions?
Here at The AML Shop, let us start by telling you about Shamela Styles. Shamela is the first person that our clients, potential clients, partners, media and you, may connect with when you contact us in whichever channel you choose. We believe that fundamentally, humans enjoy other humans. If our current world situation hasn’t heightened our need for connectivity, it certainly has made us all more aware that we are pretty similar and just want what’s best for ourselves, our families, our community and our earth. So how does a simple job title share a story with grand beliefs and hopes for the greater good?
Because a Director of First Impressions boils down to one elusive value that companies spend millions of dollars on each year trying to attain: trust. When you speak or work with Shamela, you can tell, in under two seconds, that you’re speaking with a highly competent professional who is both chameleon and unicorn. She can adapt to any situation, be tasked with something completely out of her wheelhouse, and knock it out of the park. She has a heart so magnetic, you’ll find yourself looking for reasons to continue building trust and a relationship with her and by extension, our entire company.
Trust is built over time, of course, but you never get a second chance to make a good first impression, so they used to say.
Shamela is our brand champion. Knowing our business from the outside-in, understanding our clients’ and industry’s unique nuances, as well as the very complex systems of AML regulations. She welcomes every chance to make a first impression in all aspects of her role. People notice this. People feel her kindness and loyalty to her work and in turn, to them.
A Director of First Impressions is front and centre. Companies who survive now need to make bold moves and shift the way they align their most valuable people into the roles they were born to play. The AML Shop is built on a passion for excellence and expertise in every aspect of our work. Creative, meaningful roles that still have a long list of duties and responsibilities, are moving beyond the typical templated HR turn and burn mentality. People will always remember that first call, first message or first meeting where it felt like someone was waiting for your arrival and made you feel so special, you let down your guard, forgot about any agenda and realized, this place is different. They are listening to me. She is listening to me. She remembered my travel nightmare last trip and asked if the airline found my son’s note that he slipped into my purse. I can trust this place, this person whom I’ve never met until today, yet feels like we’ll become fast friends because I can trust what she is saying. I believe what she says because I see what she does.
And all of this from our fabulous, irreplaceable Shamela, who is empowered with everything at her disposal that lets her know she is valued, she is essential and she is a trusted lead on our team.
Don’t you wish everyone you had to call or email today was a Director of First Impressions? I guarantee your attitude, outlook and the overall day would be met with enough warmth and confidence to ask Shamela, where do I sign?