Part 2
by Ellen A. Kaye “What’s in your wallet?”

Capital One made that phrase famous and business people should take it to heart. Your wallet – both its exterior appearance and its contents – speaks volumes about you, your capabilities and your attention to detail. Whether you realize it or not, every time you pull out this ubiquitous item, you are making a statement about yourself – and you are being judged by it. Successful business people take great care in every aspect of their appearance, making sure their clothing is immaculate and perfectly pressed, their hair is groomed and current, and their shoes are well-heeled and polished. Very few people, however, pay much attention to their wallets – and that’s a problem when you’re trying to make a great impression.

Take it out now. Your wallet needs to send the right message about you and your business acumen. Last issue three points were addressed: 1.) Is your wallet new and clean? 2.) Is your wallet a name brand? 3.) Are you carrying too many credit cards?

4. Are you carrying too many frequent flyer and hotel cards? Frequent travelers always wind up with a mile-high stack of hotel and airline frequent-user cards. Don’t keep those bulky cards in your wallet. Instead, type all the account names and numbers onto a single sheet of paper and cut it down to the size of a business card. Carry that in your wallet instead. If the airline/hotel personnel have any problem with it, provide them with additional information to ID yourself properly.

5. How much cash are you carrying – and is it the tipping type? The amount of cash you carry every day depends, of course, on your job, your life circumstances, what you’re doing and where you are. In New York City, London or Hong Kong, it’s easy to blow through $200 to $2,000 in cash a day. In Des Moines, Iowa, you can probably get by on $100 to $150 a day, again, depending on your job. However, you must always have appropriate tip money in your wallet. Don’t be caught without $1’s, $5’s, $10’s and even $20’s to tip everyone who provides you a service. Each morning, verify that you’re carrying enough money so you’re not caught short creating an embarrassing moment.

6. Are you carrying coins or checks? If so, the wallet isn’t the place for them. Keep coins in a small, separate coin purse (women). Men: simply don’t carry change at all. It is too tempting for you to play with it and that is a distracting, unprofessional nervous habit you don’t need. Safety experts recommend you do not keep your checkbook in your wallet – you are providing one-stop-shopping for thieves and pickpockets. Instead, keep your checkbook separately in your purse or a suit pocket. Better yet, keep one or two blank checks in your wallet with your cash. Use the carbon copy kind so you won’t forget to keep track of the money spent.

7. Do you carry your business card in your wallet? My regular readers already know what I’m going to say here. Carrying your business card in your wallet is a big no-no. Instead, keep your cards in a separate business card holder. Like the wallet, the business card holder should look new, clean and professional. An elegant card holder conveys the message that you care about your image and your business.

8. Do you clean out your wallet at least once a week? Make it a habit every Sunday night to go through your wallet and pull out everything that’s not absolutely needed. Pull out all the receipts, etc., and file them properly. (Or, at least put them in an envelope in your desk.) Once a year, completely empty your wallet. Give it a snooty stare and judge it harshly, as others will. If it still looks chic, new and professional, refill it slowly. Evaluate every single item before you place it back into this clean and pristine shrine of your identity.

Wallets rarely get the attention they deserve. Most business people make sure they have the latest cell phone, the newest PDA, and that their other technology is constantly revised as trends change and new capabilities emerge. Many people pull out their wallets as often as they pull out their cell phones; each time conveying important, tangible information about their professionalism, attention to detail and their sense of self-worth. After going through this exercise, your wallet should now convey the successful and professional image you aim to send every day.