Dress For Entrepreneurial Success
Years ago in my IT days I worked with a gentleman who by shear example showed me what good dress means. Daily he would come to work dressed well, but not over the top. The way I thought of it, he dressed just below where one would compliment him. The power of his dress came that he kept that high standard everyday. So, his dress became an attribute of the man and not an element in itself.
As business owners, people will decide a lot about one’s business by the people they come in contact with. A lot of attention is given to soft skills (attitude, politeness, professionalism, etc.) but little attention is paid to dress. Yet, most people will see the business before they ever have contact with the business. Meaning people will judge upon appearances before they get to be charmed with politeness and professionalism. The business owner and staff will have to be careful that errands, lunches, etc. are putting the business name in front of everyone. What is being said to the world?
Attending to dress, one’s business should be better dressed than the competition. Of course, dress depends on industry but I see plenty of room for improvement daily. Industry primarily use t-shirts? Upgrade to golf shirts. Industry has polos? Upgrade to dress short sleeves. Dress shirts are industry standard? Add a tie. Let me also say that one should have the business name branded on all attire. There are too many opportunities for business to not wear branded attire daily.
Once attire is decided, attention needs to be given daily. Clothes should be in good repair (keep back-ups available). Hygiene of staff should be addressed. Then the when and where that branded business dress is worn should be established. Wouldn’t want one’s brand to brandished about at some after-hours watering holes; therefore, establish policy. Ultimately, keep standards high but also executable daily by everyone.
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Comments
Good point that a lot of people might forget about - I always try to dress my best because really, you never know who’s watching!! It could be a new business contact, or that cute lady from across the bar!
Your personality as businessman reflects on how you dress. I always admire people who are good looking in a way they handle their personality.
I think you raise a good point. I think the appearance of success breeds success.
If you want to be taken seriously in business, you have to dress smartly. It really is a must these days.
great post you raised a lot of key points in this particular post because i agree as well that a well dressed individual is dressed for success
Nowadays - it’s a lot harder to know how to dress for business. Expectation differs by industry.
A suit or even a shirt and trousers aren’t required to look smart. As you say, making sure clothing is in good repair, is ironed etc goes a long way to making a company look smarter.
I always wear a suit when I am working, even if Im not going to meet clients. I do it becuase it keeps me business focused.
Dress really helps someone to succeed. I do believe that we can easily distinguish a person’s attitude with the way that person dresses.
My husband works in the IT field and he lives in khaki pants and golf shirts. The one day he wore a tie to the office…he was asked to move a bunch of computer equipment. Let’s just say the tie didn’t make it and had to be thrown away. Great blog!
I used to be of the same opinion but I’m starting to think its more about the way you hold yourself more than anything.
I’ve seen highly successful and powerful people wearing more casual attire. I’ve also seen smartly dressed people look terrible.
The difference was always the personality. I think you can carry off more casualwear when you’ve got a commanding personality.
Always dress well and hold your head up high and you can have all the sucess you want
Yes I agree! The appearance really is very important.. It just shows how good you carry everything..
A lot of businesses these days, even white collar businesses are going to smart casual dress. I don’t think wearing a suit mean anything anymore. People realise you can’t just put on a suit and pretend you are someone else. you are who you are.
juts be yourself n be confident!!!
Be yourself is king while your dress is queen.
Dress speaks on your behalf when you are in organization.
I dress for the image. Not for myself, not for the public, not for fashion, not for men.
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