Comments

For those of us who have always dreamt of listening to Tom in person, it is outstanding to have this images and the real man live. Thank you Cathy.

Posted by Felix Gerena at September 20, 2005 3:09 PM

Seems like the book will be great inspiration to us (open source devotees and entreprenuers).
Cant wait to get my hands on them.

Posted by Manohar Suresh at September 20, 2005 3:24 PM

Awesome interview - well done for giving us this link Cathy

Posted by Trevor Gay at September 21, 2005 3:38 AM

Looking at those three other guys there on BW site, it seems to me like Peter doesn't "Brand You" very much when it's about getting dressed. Make a difference, Peter! Your speech is unique, but you look exactly the same as the rest. (Of course, this is an absolutely friendly and respectful tip).

P.S.: Hey! that's me tipping TP. Blogging, I love this Game!

Posted by PachiL at September 21, 2005 4:10 AM

:)
i agree on the tie subject.

one of my favourite tie makers is this one
http://www.duchamp.co.uk/duchamp/productoverview.html
and, tom, i would definitely pick one from the second left window.

Posted by jk at September 21, 2005 6:24 AM

Fully agree jk! Tom, they're made for you.

Posted by PachiL at September 21, 2005 10:56 AM

PachiL, we are in disagreement! I learned long ago that the more radical your message, the more conservative your dress must be. If you are going to offer up bitter medicine, the audience must be comfortable with the way you look. There is a second reason, equally important. Sometimes my speaker guidelines say "casual." I still wear a suit! (I didn't used to.) To "dress up" is a mark of respect--it shows that I take my audience seriously. To be sure, some have said what you said, but I'll go with my instinct here.

Posted by tom peters at September 21, 2005 12:05 PM

Hi All:
I wear a suit to the first meeting with the client, then progressively dress down.. I've found that most of my clients get by with a shirt and tie.. Maybe it's my background as a geeky software guy - I seem to dislike suits!

But maybe you're right Tom -
1) Dressing up is a sign of respect for the customer..
2) Experience matters.. your choice of clothing is part of the experience

Your video clip on BW was very interesting and full of energy. May I suggest that if you feel 'excessively' strongly about a topic, you take a video clip of yourself expressing yourself and put it up on the TP site? (Quicktime movies are easy to make)

-

Posted by Arun Sadhashivan at September 22, 2005 1:34 AM

I understand what you mean, Tom -actually I always wear a suit and a tie. But you must make a difference someway. Everyone pays attention to what Bill Gates says, what Richard Branson says, what Steve Jobs says... and those guys don't wear suits.

And, even wearing a suit and a tie they can be "different" and "serious" at the same time. What about wearing UNICEF ties? (http://www.supportunicef.org ). What about wearing a red watch?

There must be something that indicates: "this guy is part of the stablishment, but wants to change it".

If I weren't particularly interested in the subject of your interview, why should I click your link, instead of any other one on the page? What differentiates you from the other 3 guys? You must make me "fall in love" at first sight. You must be my first choice, no doubt.

When my CEO is looking at all his staff, at a meeting, I want him to see me and think: "this must be an outstanding person". And the way you dress, your hairstyle, your glasses, your shoes can play an important role.

Using your words, which waiter would you recruit: the "formal dressed" one or the one with that "personal touch"?

Posted by PachiL at September 22, 2005 3:47 AM

PachiL,
If I want a CEO to notice me, I walk up to him and say hello.. I don't suspect that I have the brand equity for people to know of me before they even see me.. (no matter how I dress)

Trying to stand out by wearing something different never works: There's an old saying:
"When you dress well, people notice you. When you dress badly, people notice your clothes"

Just a thought (to brighten up your colourful day :-))))))

Posted by Arun Sadhashivan at September 22, 2005 8:07 AM

I'm not sure you've understood me, Arun. I'm not talking about dressing badly, but DIFFERENTLY!!!

Of course you can walk up to your CEO and say hello. What I mean is you are a brand, or a product -that's better. And the way you get dressed is your packaging. Don't you think packaging is important? Do you think Channel Nº5 would be what it is without its packaging? Isn't it absolutely elegant and notorious and great?

That's what I mean. The best product in the World in an anonymous packaging wouldn't work. Believe me.

Posted by PachiL at September 22, 2005 10:16 AM

What a fascinating exchange about a subject close to my heart. In my book I wrote about this informality and how things have changed from the old very formal dress code of the 70's and 80's to the new informality. I take a pragmatic view of things and yes I think it is ok to wear a suit and tie out of respect for your audience - although I have to say I have not worn a suit at work for over 20 years now. In fact the only times I ever wore a suit was for interviews. Like Tom Peters I would definitely go with my instinct on the sort of dress required for each occasion – you have to feel comfortable yourself otherwise you do not perform in my book. This is an extract from my book;

“In 1970 I was expected to wear a collar and tie at work. A suit would be the preferred attire but if not able to afford that, then smart trousers, jacket, shirt and tie was acceptable. The 2004 dress code is different. Those areas away from the “public face” of the organisation are much more liberal about dress code. I do not see as many suits as I used to. Having said that …. there are still a high proportion of suits among middle and senior managers in the National Health Service (NHS). Some parts of the NHS allow “jeans day” – usually a Friday of course!

I am not suggesting any of the two distinctly different approaches are right or wrong – that would be presumptuous and arrogant. I simply suggest things have changed dramatically and it now a very different culture. From memory I was probably comfortable with the old style - it was ….. after all …… “just how it is round here.” I am definitely comfortable with the new informality. The “old world” was perhaps one of knowing your place in the pecking order and respect being implicit in the position held by those in all parts of the hierarchy. The new world is more about informality.

However ……..

Would I be comfortable receiving financial advice from a Bank Manager dressed in jeans and t-shirt and a gold stud in his ….. or indeed her(!!!) …….eyebrow?

Would my Doctor inspire confidence …. if dressed in sandals, shorts and baseball cap for my consultation?”

Posted by Trevor Gay at September 23, 2005 8:57 AM

Good interview. Reminded me of what my aunt used to say about my brother--"if someone cut off your hands you couldn't talk." Of course, I'm exactly the same way now. It is getting worse with age and when I get passionate during a teaching stint--look out, there goes the furniture, blinds, pop cans, whatever! Ah, the life lived out loud!

Posted by Mike at September 26, 2005 8:02 PM

Mike, I was nearly decapitated by an energetic hand gesture. I was an MC at a non-profit dinner where the keynote speaker was The Reverend Leon Sullivan--a civil rights pioneer, father of the Sullivan Principals that dealt with business in apartheid South Africa. He is an old-school Black firebrand preacher. (He instructed Dr King.) He was in full flourish, as I sat but feet from him. One particularly potent point was accompanied by a karate-like sweeping motion (he was about 6'6") that was slicing toward my head. I still consider my survival a miracle. I haven't maimed anyone yet, but there's still plenty of time.

Posted by tom peters at September 26, 2005 10:01 PM