Clean It Up
UK Floor Cleaning Forum => Carpet Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Art of Clean on November 30, 2007, 08:05:24 pm
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How would you explain the dress code for yourself as a carpet cleaner?
Any other feedback much appreciated
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I used to wear a white shirt & tie, but in the summer i bought some shirt from Barber the outdoor clothes shop, they are a breathable fibre that is supposed to stop you sweating and are just wash & wear
I was very pleased with them so bought 6 in the sale, they are a bit casual but still very smart.
Mike
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i wear dark blue trousers and dark blue top with logo, i hope that my competitors wear jeans and a funny cap and worn out trainers, oh and it's it's a bonus for me if they don't shave, it proves to the customers that they really are idiots,
colin
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All our male staff are in navy work trousers, polo shirts with logo, sweatshirts with logo and fleece body warmer or fleece jackets and woolie hats if working outside in the winter
In the summer the lads on windows were cargo shorts and logo'd vests/T shirts, those inside are still in trousers and polo tops.
Girls currently wear black trousers, white T-shirts and tabbards, however we're looking to get them some polo tops soon.
I know, I spoil them ;D
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Cut off shorts, cut off tee shirts, havent clean shaved for goodness knows how many years. My van and "materials" looks good though and that is cleaned everyday or at least cleaned for every client. Colin, does this make me an idiot?
Best, Dave.
P.S. The trainers are only worn inside the house so they look ok.
I have always felt and always taught that it is what we do that counts and not how we look doing it.
As for logos....... same as for just having an un-sign written van.
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Brown chino's from Primark 5 pairs, Black Polo pooprs From Primark. I keep for 2 months and then change them for new ones,
Trousers cost £6 each and Polo Shirts cost £2.50 each. Looks smart but also gets you on the golf course after a hard days work in the summer.
Fleece for the Winter.
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Does nobody sleep in this business ? I have no dress code, but dress similarly to Neil, which provides comfort first. If you don't wear loose clothing, you can't work as effectively.
How you act and how you talk, is far more important than how you look.
I speak with, what many fools regard as, a "posh", or "snobbish accent". It's not, it's how I was brought up, as were all of the people in our area, but it certainly gives an edge, when dealing with the public.
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Agree with Dave's comments,but I'm always a firm believer in first impressions count.
If you can start off on the right foot with the customer then it can make life much easier.
We gain a lot of work on the window cleaning side because our lads are all uniformed, wheras some of the other locals look like scruffs
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Ian, I understand the idea of a first impression. The thing is with first impressions is that they are "made" within about 1 100th of a second. If this is the case...... most people will look at your face before what you have on your person. Not only that but at this point a hand shake hasnt even been dealt with and again I would teach that this offering is of more importance than anything you may or may not have on.
It has always been suggested to not judge a book by its cover and the same can apply to this topic.
If I was judged by my cover I dont think I would get any client but fortunately for whatever reason I "get" every client I speak with.
My normal work, i.e when I am not cleaning I wear rubber suits with big old boots on and a funny hat with a light on. Amongst other things as odd to the eye. But again I am judged on what I am doing not how I look doing it.
There is a time and a place for uniformity I am just glad I dont comply or have to comply to any of it.
Best, Dave.
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dave, i wouldn't say a 'uniform' is essential but i certainly do think that tidiness is a bonus, you might be able to sell yourself when you quote looking like a circus clown but there are others who need all the help they can get especially as they say that customers will make up there minds within 7 seconds whether they like you or not. mine isn't a 'stiff' uncomfortable uniform just tidy and looking professional.
colin
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for me its a smart button up white t shirt with logo beige shorts and white trainers [clean] smart and practical ;)
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Wet suit, logod of couse. Only wear the mask & flippers in winter.
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Perhaps I'm a little old fashioned, but I see far too many CC's wearing denim jeans. Some feel that they are modern ??? practical, stylish and smart. IMO, it's importnant not to wear what YOU think is smart and presentable, but what your high value customers would see as being presentable and smart, given the nature of your work. If it's good enough for your best customers, it'll be good enough for everyone else.
For practical reasons, I wear polyester trousers (ugh!) 'cos the knees don't loose the colour and they dry quickly if they get wet anywhere. I prefer a logo'd buttoned-up shirt and will wear a tie if appropriate when quoting. I don't have a problem with polo shirts but wouldn't advocate Tee Shirts. I also wear a logo'd sweatshirt. Slip on leather shoes and slip on deck shoes for indoors.
Safe and happy cleaning :)
Ken
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Perhaps I'm a little old fashioned,
Yes, i can see why you'd think that.
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How about this.
What seems appropriate, facilitates trust and conveys authority? These are the key factors when determining what's right for your business.
Sometimes subtle, what not to wear on an evening out can be a tough decision. Slightly overdressed for an occasion can be disasterous for your social life!
In business being overdressed can be just as bad as being underdressed. 'He's trying too hard.' or 'This guy is a salesman.' may be the thoughts of a potential customer.
A tradesman is expected to be dressed appropriately and with it comes confidence and trust which is essential at first contact. If there is incongruency between expectation and presentation, the job of closing a deal is much harder.
Around 80% of communication is non-verbal, let it work for you rather than against. Why do Doctors wear white coats and policeman wear dark uniforms? In a word, authority. Society in pre-programmed to respond in certain ways to symbols of authority 'within a certain field'. That's why the 'Scientist' in the new improved Daz advert wears a white coat, because with little or no evidence to the contrary we look to authority figures in that sphere to make the decisions for us.
Clothes also communicate attitude and paradoxically can work for you if the mismatch between expectation and presentation is through the floor.
If in your profession you are expected to turn up in a smart, short sleeve shirt and trousers, but arrive in an old T shirt, cut off jeans and trainers, this can be taken two ways. Either you are a cowboy, or you are so succesful you don't need the business and don't give a damn. This approach can be very powerful if coupled with an initial referral because the trust evaluation is already assumed.
In this instance you are creating a posture of authority and scarcity. I don't need you, you need me. Now let me see, I might have a slot in January for you, you jump through MY hoops.
I do not recommend this approach to beginners as you may well lose business rather than secure it.
All in all, every profession, business, culture need to develop it's own presenting image. The place to start is thinking about your customers and their expectations.'
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Hi
Excellent post Mike.
So if you are a a certain level & want to move to the next level do you need to dress differently.
At the moment i wear a polo with my name embriodered on it, if i increased my prices by 30% do i need to wear a shirt with my name embriodered n it.
I was thinking just the other day if i increased my prices by 30%what would i change.
Dave
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Dave, at 30% only your bank account would change really. 30% is still within realms of just putting your prices up. 50% and you may need to change something. But that doesnt mean just what you are thinking of is better clothes. If that was the case we would all put on a suit and charge more, well I wouldnt but you know what I mean.
A smart(er) apperance is very English or British. Most cleaners that arent told what to wear in the U.S wear shorts as they are just simply comfier and more practical and not just 'cos of the weather.
With all respect to Kens way of thinking regards shoe wear, in the business of cleaning I dont see a place for dress shoes under any circumstances. But of coure this is just an opinion. Most people think me in cut offs shouldnt be under any circumstances either.
Again, focus on what you do and how to get the client to chose you to do whatever it is you want done. In almost all cases the client doesnt care what you are wearing and I am sure if asked the next day wouldnt remember. But they will remember how you did it.
Best, Dave.
P.S. Very well put Mike.
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Thanks Dave
Er, no not quite
If I was in your shiny shoes Dave I'd keep wearing what you feel comfortable in. Or perhaps find something that makes you feel more confident etc withouht going overboard. It's a temporary prop when piercing the comfort zone, but it helps.
In our own business we have the luxury of wearing what we feel good in and that could be a greater factor in conversions than initial presentation.
When I'm moonlighting I wear a suit and open neck shirt with joe public. If it's a business Client I'm seeing it's with a tie, for all the reasons above.
Don't forget those cold reading skills needn't be reserved for parties. ;)
Dave why 30%?
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I refering to Mr Annable Dave ;D
Dave Liahona
Dave, you are a paradox ;D
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Hi
I was only joking about the shirt.
The other day i did two jobs £120 & £140 and it occured to me that another CC that we all know on here would have charged 30% more.
So i was thinking what would i need to change about the job i do to justify the increase.
Dave
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I'm not the person to ask Dave, there are loads of loaded CC on here and I'm not one of them yet.
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Dave, get in touch and I will try to help you out if I can. Both the jobs you refer to are below what I set out to be a minimum so it doesnt surprise me that someone else is 30% more. There are plenty of things to do for you to become "better" and be able to charge more. But you also have to have the attitude to charge more because you simply are better than anyone else. Thats how I do it. I am sure there are far better cleaners on here than I am. But I have the attitude that I am better than everyone else and accordingly I charge that much more. I know the realisation is that I am not but I dont let that info on to the client.
I bluffed my way into extremely high end clients almost 14 years ago and have been there ever since. Only just got better along the way....
Best, Dave.
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Hi
Dave
With repect you are in the top 1% of CC.
I would be happy in the top 10%
Mike
Your being a bit hard on yourself, you know a lot more than most about sales and all our work starts with sales.
Dave
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I guess for many of us the first contact we have with a new client is when they phone us up. SO the first impression is how we answer the phone and then how we guide the conversation. Projecting confidence in our skills and knowledge is definitely a knack.
Assuming the customer then wants to meet us is the next hurdle. I arrive in a sign written van but my attire is somewhat unusual. I have blue zipped overalls which I have tailored by cutting the sleeves back to the elbow. They are cotton and quite tight fitting.
To some customers I am the bloke in scruffy blue overalls (with holes in the knees-but only when my overalls become old. When the holes get really bad I cut the legs off the overalls as well and use them as my suimmer attire!).
Some customers think I am a "ghost-buster" (gosh, that dates me!).
However the purpose of explaining all this is that irrespective of how I look my own personal take is once having met me do my actions then reinforce the first impressions created in the first phone call.
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What's obvious, is the fact that there 's a real mixed bag, in this industry and some have " followed the marketing manual " and others are " there own man "and there is really no point in trying to score points. You have to follow your instincts and hope you get it right, or or as Dave L says, just get out there and tell them how wonderful you are, but make sure you come up to scratch.