We all know that the world of work has changed quite dramatically since 2020. Businesses have shifted their approach to work, having staff that either work completely remotely or have a hybrid approach of in-office and WFH. Even those of us that remained working on site have experienced a dramatic change in the way their workplace operates and communicates. With adapted routines and fresh approaches to business in place, now is the time to focus in on your team, brand, and company cohesiveness. Have you taken the time to consider how your brand messaging and culture is being perceived by the outside world?
Some teams are rarely in the same room, with the popular hybrid WFH and in-person approach, and Zoom has become integrated into our daily work lives. When so much business is conducted via camera lens, you need to ask: What are your team wearing when representing your brand? How are they being viewed during internal video meetings or strategic marketing and sales meetings? Even more importantly, what are they wearing when meeting clients or potential clients via video call?
Whether head office has now become a Zoom meeting room or not, it’s important to ensure consistency and cohesiveness as a company. Your team still needs to look and feel united, confident and in charge.
Nearly every aspect of our jobs - from daily meetings to the tools we use and the clothes we wear - has an impact on our level of engagement. Uniforms are a key piece of the puzzle, reminding members that they are part of a team. It reinforces what the team represents, and uniforms also play a major role in determining each individual employee’s sense of pride and satisfaction in their work.
More importantly, for team members that need to represent your brand while on location, it is important they clearly represent your brand as effectively as possible. This ensures that your values are clearly amplified through what they wear as well as the service they provide.
For multiple industries, the purpose of a uniform is to help with staff and role identification. In Aged Care, for example, it is even more important that team members are easily recognised and dressed in a uniform that is fit for purpose and comfortable.
Uniforms can serve different purposes in different situations, but there are some common benefits shared by all:
- Team uniforms promote your brand
If your corporate clothing features your brand logo, or even your brand colours, you're building recognition every time someone sees an employee wearing it. In a video call it stands out even more! Consider it free advertising and something that can reinforce your brand plan and objectives in the work environment. Thousands of dollars are spent each year on marketing and branding in stores trying to communicate messaging. Uniforms serve an economical dual service marketing function that benefits and motivates your employees, as well as telling your brand story.
- Team uniforms promote equality
Uniforms are a great equaliser. Your staff may occupy different levels in the chain of command, but when they are all dressed in the same uniform, there is a greater sense of team spirit. Uniforms also eliminate the stress of what to wear to work, reducing the pressure on team members to keep up appearances and spend an inordinate amount of personal money on clothing for work.
- Team uniforms promote loyalty
When your employees associate themselves with your brand, they are more likely to feel positively about it. By wearing your uniform or branded accessories, they become brand ambassadors. Team members will wake up each day and be reminded when getting dressed who they work for and what that represents. A good uniform will ensure employees are excited and motivated to get dressed, creating a feeling of team spirit and sense of belonging.
- Team uniforms BOOST performance and sales
In business, effective branding can make you appear more approachable, professional, and confident. That difference can often make or break sales opportunities. The company that takes the time to ensure their staff uniform represents the best version of their brand, culture and purpose are more likely to become industry leaders. If done correctly, a uniform will ensure your team look, feel, and act the part, and will ensure clients are confident, comfortable, and proud to be associated with your brand.
There is without doubt a correlation between performance and dress. A thoughtless outfit equals lacklustre output, equals underwhelming impression. Staff who take pride in their dress sense take pride in their work. An outfit can speak a thousand words, and when worn correctly by each of your staff, the message to each other, to clients and to the public is priceless.