Business question

[Sequoia]

If a sales person came to your office to get your business and didn't have a briefcase but had a manilla folder or just a few sheets of paper to show you would you take him seriously? Oh, and 2nd question...if he smelled like a cigarette would you want his business? Me, I'd say no to both..but I might be old-school here.

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

1. don't care about the briefcase so much

but if they can't bother to control their addiction....

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

2. I'd expect a briefcase

But I wouldn't care about teh cigarette smell.

[MajorChode]

3. It's hard to say without being there

I think presenting a businesslike appearance is important, but this is relative to the type of business the person is seeking. I wouldn't expect a person seeking a contract to repair a fence to present the same appearance as a person seeking a contract on a multi-million dollar project. I don't know that it makes much sense to expect a person to carry a briefcase just so they can pull out a manila folder, rather than just carrying a manila folder. Perhaps he had a perfectly nice briefcase in his vehicle and only decided to bring what he needed.

Smelling like an ashtray would be a definite mark against him.