I began my career in sales. At the beginning I was told to ‘dress like my prospects’ so as to not intimidate them. Of course this is rubbish. The correct approach is to dress better then they do to reinforce your role as a trusted adviser.
Now as a marketer, I still wear ties to work. Why?
- You are a brand: Seems obvious, yet most people ignore it. You’d never launch a product with half baked packaging. Is your personal brand not more important that the brands you represent?
- Differentiation: If we had to boil marketing down to one word we’d choose differentiation. While everyone else joins the sea of polos and khakis, your sharp dress is remembered. Zig when others zag.
- Human psychology: The most common response I hear (besides all of the ‘where’s the interview’ jokes) is this: ‘My work stands on its own, and because of that I don’t need to dress well’. This response is ignorant of human psychology. The human brain doesn’t compartmentalize this way – it makes judgments on the overall brand experience.
- Everyday is an interview: Most people wear a suit to a job interview and accept the value of doing so. The reality is that every day is a job interview for your next promotion. When that next leadership role opens up, the management team will try to picture each of the candidates in that role. All things being equal, the guy in the suit will get the nod because it’s easier to picture him there.
- Separation: I feel more separation between my work life and home life. When I come home, I shed my work clothes and change into a more relaxed outfit.
For you a tie may not make sense, but ask yourself if your dress reflects the great work your doing.
Disagree? Tell me about it in the comments.
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This too will pass!
That rings true if your always trying to climb the corporate ladder. For those that are seeking a different path, niche, or lifestyle, making impressions aren't always the main objective. I do however agree that when facing prospects & clients you need to be aware of the 'impression game'.
Good points Mike. I was a little worried that this post would come off to ‘climb the corporate ladder’… I think that the core point here is that hard work is the difficult part – putting on a nice pair of pants is easy…so why not.
This too will pass!
That rings true if your always trying to climb the corporate ladder. For those that are seeking a different path, niche, or lifestyle, making impressions aren't always the main objective. I do however agree that when facing prospects & clients you need to be aware of the 'impression game'.
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