Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

SuN Community I would like your opinion on several things, but one thing at a time.

When you go to introduce your company to other companies, we all agree that we must wear our Sunday best.  But, once you land the sales and it`s time to deliver the products, what do you wear then??

IE: I sell office supplies and box customers orders for delivery.  Sometimes I even carry in cases of paper.  Now, when UPS or FedEx or DSL makes deliveries, they wear their company uniform.  I do not have a company uniform, (we did sponsor a baseball team one year, so I have t-shirts with a company logo, but not a uniform, so to speak) so my question is . . . do I continue on with my sunday best, or use a company t-shirt and jeans, or just dress casual (somewhere in between)??

Does my appearance, when making deliveries, effect my professional image??  I mean, I know it does to some aspect, but to what degree??

Really could use some professional input on this and several other matters.  Please watch for other posts.  Thanks so much!!

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But without faith it is impossible to please him; for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Hebrew 11:6

I think for your business you need to find an attire which is both functional and professionally representative. So having your delivery guys hauling paper etc up 3 flights of stairs in 3 piece suits isn`t justified. however i would expect them to show up in a polo with a company logo and some type of pant other than jeans.

We get lots of delivers in my office from the big guys to the hometown couriers. of course the big guys all looks good and act professional while a few of the hometown couriers look like they just got up off the couch to make this delivery.

You should take pride in your business and you should want to capitalize on every marketing opportunity offered to you. So if you delivery guys are out in their regular clothes and stop in to have lunch nobody knows who they are. BUT if they have on some nice polo`s with your logo etc on them and show a professional look then there`s a chance you`d get business from someone in that restaurant.

just some thoughts.

I hope you are joking with this post, right?

But just in case you are serious ... remember this ...

The minute you step outside your house ... till the minute you lay your head to sleep ... It`s SHOWTIME !!

Everthing you do, say, write and every other action is designed to make your business prosper.

As I wrote in another thread, ..."if you can`t run with the big dogs, then stay on the porch". You answered your own question by mentioning Fedex, UPS, DHL.

Everyone you meet, from the doorman, gas station attendant, grocery clerk, bank employee, (everyone) is a potential customer ... or knows someone that is a potential customer.

Everyplace you are is a "room" ... the art of it is to "work that room" ... no matter where you are.

So, go get some khaki shorts and slacks, pick out a comfortable "golf style" shirt, have them embroidered with your logo ... and "run with the big dogs".

Thank you jonese,

I really appreciate your input.  I have actually thought of the idea of polo shirts. 

I have two obstacles, and maybe you can help:  1st, I am THE only delivery guy, except when my kids help (16, and 10).  2nd, polo shirts are still a TAD bit out of my price range, hence the idea of the baseball printed t-shirts.  We all have one.  The kids have the player number and name on the back, I have one just the same, and one that says `owner` on the back.  Hubby`s says `coach`.  Obviously, these do not really go with any pant other than jeans, being a t-shirt and all.

So, all that being said, should I make the investment to go with polo`s and `work` pants or khaki`s??  Or do the t-shirts and jeans work without looking lame, and ruining my business image??

Thanks again!

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But without faith it is impossible to please him; for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Hebrew 11:6

TJG,

I ask this of professional people, because I have asked several other people, and received several other replies, such as `you should wear whatever you are comfortable in`, and `wear whatever you like`.  I am aware of what you are saying, but do not choose to be slammed simply because I have asked a group of professional people.  I would expect this kind of reply from Yahoo Answers, but was hoping for more support from more professional people.

Thanks for the terrible rating.  I will choose not to behave likewise.

Thank you.

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But without faith it is impossible to please him; for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Hebrew 11:6

I still think the little investment now will help you establish the ground rules and environment you`ll want later. Just get a low cost pair of kaki`s and i`m sure you can find someone to do th logo on a polo / golf shirt pretty cheaply. maybe even post your request on these forums and see what you can find.

jonese,

thank you.  your input is very important.  i have debated this idea for a while and as i posted have received several different opinions, some favorable and as you can see some unfavorable.

thanks again!!

 

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But without faith it is impossible to please him; for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Hebrew 11:6

Sweetheart, if you think my post was a personal attack ... you are sadly mistaken. Simply because I did not agree with the belief that a base ball t-shirt and jeans were an appropriate attire ... if you are looking to present a professional image ... is by no means a personal attack on you.

However, once you open yourself up to advice ... you need to be able to defend your position ... or accept constructive criticism graciously.

Remember, you were the one that staerted the thread.

We can all sit around the campfire and sing Kumbia ... but that does not make any of us a stronger, wiser, or more properous business.

Business is NOT for the meek or timid. And being soooo sensative, when someone does not agree with you position ... is not a good thing (IMHO)

I find it ironic though, that you endorse my advice in your last posting. I guess its just a girl thing.

TJG

not sure i`m following your irony, so it must be a girl thing.  however, not being able to get advice outside of my teenager may make me a bit sensitive, and yes, i will agree that i may very well be a bit too sensitive.

i started my business actually by accident, and finding it difficult to work under someone else telling me what to do. 

i have NEVER had any sales training or much more than basic accounting classes in high school.  i have taken a few online quizzes and found that i do have an entreprenueral attitude.  I have taken my business from $50 revenue for my first few months to last years revenues of over $70,000.  for an unlearned, fly by the seat of your pants sole proprietor, i think i`ve done pretty good.  but now i am at the point that i would like to go further and would like to know what are the best ways to do this.

i am certainly hoping that you are not telling me i can`t wear my stiletto`s out to dinner because they are too sexy for business attire, in case i would run into a prospective customer.

personally, i felt that i should maintain a professional appearance even in making deliveries.  my main question was simply `can i wear a company-named baseball t-shirt and nice jeans, still looking nice, to make deliveries, or is it too casual?  should i make a uniform or keep wearing my sunday best?`  i don`t feel it was a difficult question.

my feeling your attack as personal, simply comes with the thought of asking if i were joking.  no, i do not want anyone to feel i am joking.  i am asking a group of self professed professionals to guide and direct.  i can get you to this point, but how do i go further, what is expected of me, NOW??

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But without faith it is impossible to please him; for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Hebrew 11:6

Ok, lets deal with some issues ... and I`ll do this as gently as possible.

You state that you can`t afford polo or golf shirts ... yet in the same breath you state that you grossed in excess of $70,000. (Assuming margins of 25%, thats a net income of over $17,000) Shirts and slacks or shorts can`t run more than $200 ... (2-3 sets) You can even use Dickie cover-alls (not overalls). They are light weight, comfortable, sharp looking, easily embroiderable, and come in a wide variety of colors.

Dealing with the advice issue, or lack of it from your loving husband ... that`s a personal issue that no one here at SuN has any business touching with a ten foot pole. (You need to deal with that personally).

As far as asking "What is expected of me next?" As far as the folks here at SuN - NOTHING!! Only you can determine that. That`s the beauty of being in business for yourself. Now go out and do it ... you know what to do. Just do it !!