He walks confidently into the room-heads turn at his presence-his cologne, the walk, the perfectly tailored suit, and sleekly combed hair all point to one thing; this man gets things done. His backpack, however, says quite another. What high-powered businessman would ever be caught dead wearing such an accessory? Have the likes of Donald Trump, Richard Branson, or Ted Turner ever been snapped by the paparazzi toting a North Face? The answer is no; and with good reason! The wrong watch, shoes, or carryall can ruin a whole look, sour a business lunch to close a new deal, and turn a serious work meeting into a round table discussion of appropriate business attire in the break room. Gone are the days when only women had to be aware of the modern fashion edicts surrounding work apparel, while men could get by with a couple of suits and a good pair of black leather loafers. Today, gender equality reigns in more aspects of our society, and attention is increasingly paid to men's styles as well. Sure, a backpack my be perfectly fine for the youthful co-ed or European backpacker, but it is not the favored accessory in a work environment.

Today's contemporary businessman sends just the right message with the subtle blend of class, style, and function afforded by a genuine leather briefcase. A briefcase, more so than other types of handheld cases, bags, and accessories, shows to coworkers and peers that one means business. Consider the following scenario: two competing business firms send representatives to attempt to persuade a potential client that their company is the best, most appropriate choice for handling the clients needs. Businessman number one walks in, well-groomed, polite, and confident, removes his backpack and plops it down in a neighboring vacant chair and starts rifling through it for his business proposals and relevant folders. The client's original satisfaction with the men's gracious and pleasing manner quickly turns to bewilderment and chagrin, as the ruffled businessman's less-than-smooth movements do much to rapidly decrease his conviction in the competence of the man and the firm that he represents. The meeting ends as quickly as it began, with the disinclined client listening politely to the pitch and dismissing him with a kind, but distant, handshake.

Businessman number two enters the room with a firm handshake and open smile, smoothly settling into the designated chair, and in one graceful movement sets his shiny new leather briefcase on the floor beside him. He has already organized his presentation into user-friendly folders, which he slips quietly out of his carry all at the appropriate time, after the introductions have been made. The client is engaged by the man's inviting manner and assured competence; his well-organized presentation speaks volumes about the man's abilities, and those of the company he represents. His immaculate leather briefcase projects an air of magnanimity which pulls together his high-powered look and draws the attention of everyone he meets. He and the new client part ways with a contract in hand and a pleased feeling on both sides. Naturally, returning to work in a businessman number two's shoes is something every businessman worth their salt hopes to accomplish with some regularity though they might not always know where exactly to begin. Clinching a business deal is not as nebulous as some would like to believe; it does not consist of some complicated Cartesian formula where the square root of the hypotenuse plus pi equals a business match made in Heaven. No, as any contemporary business-savvy person would say there are a few simple, but highly effective steps one can take that go a long way towards one's success in this competitive realm. Companies know it, bosses know it, and clients know it, and if one does not possess it naturally, one had better learn to fake it.

is a classic piece of advice which has been circulating in the business world for a long time. And with good reason! Settling into a routine or a rut can potentially put a damper on a person's future work aspirations if said person allows him or herself to slack off in certain areas. Always maintaining a professional demeanor and “dressing for success” are two sometimes overlooked pieces of advice which can make or break a candidate's choice come promotion time. It is, of course, normal to begin to feel comfortable in a job as time goes by, but this comfort should not be taken in the wrong direction, and the employee becomes sloppy or lackluster in grooming or performance. Dressing for success in means always putting your best foot forward, rain or shine, and leaving home and personal lives out of business dealings. Some key ways businessmen, in particular, can demonstrate their ongoing commitment to occupational success is by following these expert-recommended tips: one, always maintaining excellent personal hygiene standards, dressing nicely and cleanly, and keeping one's affairs in order are three key areas of looking (and seeming!) smart at work.

 Personal hygiene is very important for both men and women.  Both sexes should be clean-shaven, with hands, and faces, and hair, well-washed (low-key makeup for women is acceptable), and smelling pleasant.  Proper attire for business casual should consist of ironed slacks, with a matching jacket and tie, and a collared, button-down shirt for men.  Business-casual for women means a nice, wrinkle-free knee length skirt or pant suit with a matching shirt, and low-heeled shoes.  Jewelry, though minimal, might consist of a tasteful gold or silver necklace, stud earrings, and a small ring or bracelet.  Nail polish should be a muted tone, with no chipped or haggard nails (men should keep nails clean and cut short). 

As for personal organization , a structured tote for women or a leather briefcase for men keeps papers in order while lending an air of competency to the bearer.  Contemporary styles in leather accessories are chicer and more streamlined than the clunky predecessors of years gone by.  As our society looks for new and innovative ways to minimize bulk and maximize space, computers, cell phones, and agendas become smaller- small enough to fit into a sleek carrying case.  Many modern briefcases come equipped with flaps for folders, straps to keep everything in place, structure to protect sensitive items, and locks to keep everything safe.