Have you ever walked into a restaurant and been greeted by wait staff wearing wrinkled or faded uniforms or even worse, no uniform at all? Did you wonder if you should even dine in such an establishment when personal grooming and cleanliness don’t seem to be a very high priority? Obviously, the owner hasn’t given much thought to their business image and how it may affect potential guests – let alone their business overall!
As a savvy business owner or manager, you’re constantly looking for ways to create a positive business image while keeping costs down. However, controlling costs and investing in the growth of your business can be tricky to balance, since the end goal is to make a profit. Since both customer retention and employee engagement play important roles in a thriving business, one way to bring this about is to invest in high-quality uniforms for your employees. While there may be some debate as to whether or not employees should be required to wear uniforms at work, studies have shown that the pros of wearing uniforms far outweigh the cons.
Benefits of Implementing Uniforms for Employees
“To win in the marketplace you must first win in the workplace.” – Doug Conant, CEO of Campbell Soup Co.
There are several benefits of using uniforms for your employees. Let’s go over some of the ways in which uniforms help grow your business:
Uniforms Create a Positive Business Image – Well-groomed employees in attractive uniforms give a great first impression to customers. By looking the part and having a great attitude, employees demonstrate that they care about their customers.
Uniforms Inspire Customer Confidence and Trust – Whether an employee is a doorman at a hotel, a flight attendant or a car rental associate, if they are dressed professionally, it inspires confidence and trust in customers. Uniforms also make it easier for customers to identify employees.
Wearing a Uniform Boosts Employee Morale – Wearing an attractive uniform gives employees a sense of confidence and pride in their work, which in turn boosts their overall morale. And, as we know, happy and engaged employees provide better customer service.
Branded Attire Makes a Great Marketing Tool – Uniforms that have your logo and colors attract attention – even from a distance – so are a great way to advertise your business. They also go far in keeping your brand at the forefront of your customers’ memory.
The list of benefits of implementing uniforms goes on… but this gives you an idea. If you do decide to invest in uniforms for your business, it’s important to plan ahead, be selective, and choose quality and comfort over quantity.
Tips for Getting the Best ROI on Your Uniform Purchases
Deciding to invest in quality uniforms that your employees will take pride in wearing is a wise choice that you won’t regret! If you are looking for personalized service combined with a variety of customized uniforms to choose from, you want to choose a provider that brings industry expertise, who can guide you on the best options for your line of business. We generally recommend that the uniforms you purchase are:
1. Affordable, yet High Quality – You don’t want to invest in something that’s going to fall apart in a year! It makes financial sense to buy a high-quality, durable product that will last longer to prevent spending more money in the long run.
2. Comfortable – Employees need to feel comfortable and at ease at work to be able to do their jobs well. If they do well in their work, there is a stronger likelihood that they will provide better customer service, which as we know, is a cornerstone for profitability and of business success.
3. Attractive – Uniforms should be practical but also pleasing to the eye. It’s a good idea to let the stakeholders in your company – male and female – provide their input on style and design preferences before placing your order. This will ensure that the cut is not too “cookie-cutter” and that the style is for people of different shapes and sizes. You don’t want to have to deal with having to return or update uniforms more often than normal because they don’t fit well or the style is outdated. So, it makes money sense to involve everyone in the buying process.
4. Seasonal – You should plan ahead and have uniforms that work for the different seasons – or at least Winter and Summer. An example of this would be ordering warm branded jackets in addition to shirts and pants or skirts for Winter wear, and cooler attire for the Summer. If embroidery and other designs are part of your uniforms, it’s very important to plan and order ahead so there is no delay with the fulfillment of your seasonal order. You’ll save time – by avoiding the seasonal order backlog – and money – by not having to place last-minute rush orders.
5. Consistent – In addition to the 4 points made above, it’s important to provide instructions to employees on how uniforms are to be worn and properly cared for (such as any washing or ironing instructions). As the saying goes, “money saved is money earned” so caring for your uniforms is another way to get the most return on your investment. You could also include other protocols regarding personal grooming and the use of accessories. Providing a Uniform Do and Don’t image in your employee handbook is very helpful. As part of their customer service strategy, many businesses require that their staff has a consistent, professional way of presenting themselves to customers. Creating a positive image for your business will increase customer satisfaction and retention, which in turn increases profitability.
In summary, uniforms not only play a significant role in creating a positive image and atmosphere in the workplace, but they also contribute to increased customer satisfaction and retention – which are all equally essential factors for continued growth and long-term business success. You’ll find that buying uniforms is well worth the investment if you follow these important steps.
