The importance of image

MANILA, Philippines - Presenting a good image is important in the corporate and business world. It is always good to convey an image of professionalism, says an expert.

“The value of professionalism has a great impact on anything we do. It says a lot about us and what we stand for,” says image consultant Rica Rustia-Uy.

Rustia-Uy was a flight attendant who moved to the academe as the area coordinator for the English Department of St Scholastica’s College’s high school department. She also taught speech for five years.

“Through the years, image has always had an impact on my work, whether in flight or on ground.  We were trained to look and sound professional.  We even had training in how to walk, sit, stand —things that I value and apply up to this day.  Now that I teach image, I share the value of impact and how important branding is to any business,” says Rustia-Uy, who is married to professional wedding photographer Terry Uy.

Rustia-Uy says she also earned a lot from observing how her husband would talk to his clients.

“He always makes sure that they are comfortable with him. He listens to their expressed as well as unexpressed needs...sometimes experience or instinct would tell him what they are looking for,” adds Rustia, who currently works for Philippine Airlines as the head of the training unit that creates workshops and programs on customer service, branding, image management, wellness, individual effectiveness and values and attitude. 

“Having the right image, professionalism and customer service cuts across all industries.  It is all about making your client feel that you are reliable, approachable, dependable and that they are getting value for their money,”  Rustia-Uy emphasizes.

As part of Themes & Motifs’ (T&M) commitment to further professionalize the Philippine wedding industry, Rustia-Uy was invited to give a talk on “Corporate Imaging for the Wedding Professional” as a special feature of the The Philippine Wedding Summit (PWS 09), to be held on June 27-28 at PICC Forum, CCP Complex.

Her module, to be presented on June 27, will include What Comes To Mind When You Hear The Word “Professional,” In The Must Have List:  Wedding Coordinator, Reality: Competition is fierce!,  Challenge: How WIll You Capture the Market?  Branding: Project The Right Image,  Matching Personality with the Image You Project, and Basics of Professionalism that Cut Across All Types.

The inclusion of a seminar series for wedding suppliers is a first in the industry and has become an advocacy of Themes and Motifs, organizers of the Philippine Wedding Summit 09.

Now on its fourth year of providing soon-to-weds with the finest selection of respected suppliers, the event will also introduce products and services never before seen in the local wedding circuit.  Themes & Motifs invites all soon-to-weds to pre-register through www.themesnmotifs.com for free entrance.

Other top industry leaders who will share their expertise in the seminar series are Henry Pascual, visionary event stylist and flower artist par excellence on “Tips & Techniques in Event Styling” also on Saturday, June 27. Pioneer wedding planner and doyenne of event planning in the Philippines, Ms. Rita Neri, will conduct a seminar on “Most Common Wedding Coordination Problems and How To Avoid Them” on Sunday, 28 June. Themes & Motifs consultants will tackle Growing Your Wedding Business Through the Internet and will provide free webpages and directory listing to seminar participants. Interested parties may call the Themes & Motifs secretariat at (632) 3719783 / 4092555 to reserve a seat.