So, I’ve read dozens of posts on reasonable professional dress here.
My dress when calling clients has been:
Nothing I have has a logo on it for the business, but I do wear an employee badge.
Gimme some feedback on this, please. If I can improve it please tell me.
You can get professionally designed and embroidered hats at a place called Lids in just about any mall. You can get simple T-Shirts silk screened for as low as 20 bucks a shirt…you can get nice V-Neck Collared shirts at outlet stores for as low as 6 bucks up to 20 bucks for the nice golf shirts and have those either silk screened or embroidered.
Image is everything. Fake it till ya make it.
I checked out that place lids for a hat one day. Just walking around the mall with the wife. Price for 2 baseball hats with my company name on it was $80.00 I almost fell over knowing the hats cost them like $5 each, if not less because of the bluk purchase.
I think the way you are dressing now is fine. You dont even need the badge. As long as you are dressed neat and clean and present yourself in a professional manner you should be good to go. Over the course of my life I have met with contractor who were dressed with company logos and some with no company logos. I had not issues with either as long as they did not look like a dirtbag.
I have let my guys know that this year we will be wearing black cargo shorts. I will be buying the first two pairs for them this year. If they trash them out, they will have to buy their own. I chose black because it doesnt show dirt as bad. Khaki will show dirt pretty easy and I know that none of my guys will use a stain stick to keep their shorts clean. I also supply all screen printed T shirts and sweat shirts.
I would definately get shirts with your company name on them. Anything that makes your company look more legit in the customers eyes is a good thing.
Steve
For the past 5 years we wore red or blue polo shirts, ones with a little collar. No printing. We got by just fine, but 3 weeks ago I picked up t-shirts, polos and sweatshirts. Had them printed up with company name/logo and phone number. Picked up 3 jobs already from it.
While isn’t a must, I feel we look better with something printed on our shirts. Additionally we only have one color now so everyone matches.
How old are you?
What is an employee badge?
Funny 
Yes, definitely go w/your co. name on shirts…looks way more professional
I was serious about the questions.
An adult in the service field should know what looks professional when visiting customers to solicit business. Dress at least as nice as the potential client (collared shirt/tie, collared button-up shirt, collared polo, clean company t-shirt with company name logo.) We see nicely-dressed folks every day, everywhere.
I’ve seen name badges on employees at fast-food stores, supermarkets, and retail locations, but never in a service-oriented profession (iron- or sew-on chest patches, yes.) Too easy to catch a badge on something while working.
The name badges i’ve seen are usually a photo type ID with the company logo. Some companies use them to make clients feel more secure that they are a legit employee working for the company. I think that is what they are referring to.
Perhaps, but the original question was regarding “My dress when calling clients.”
Sounds like solicitation attire to me…
I often approach my potentials wearing this. It allows me to change the colors of my company shirts at a cheap cost.
:D:eek:
What do you think appropriate attire is when calling upon clients?
I currently am wearing KHAKHI pants, belt, nice shoes (not tenni’s), white or black collard polo style shirt (no logos) with an EMPLOYEE BADGE (w/picture and company name on lanyard around neck).
All of my competition is dressed in worn out jeans and t’s with a 5 gallon can and a 14" mop & squeegee.
Visually, even in my current attire, I think I look 10x better than they do. I am charging the same, but I don’t get the job.
What are you guys wearing?
Perhaps it has nothing to do with what you’re wearing.
Are you saying that your price is the same as the potential customer’s current service provider or the same as a competitor providing a new quote for new business, the same as you?
How long have you been a professional window cleaner?
How old are you?
What do you discuss? Who do you speak with? Do you provide a written quote? What is the format? Do you have business cards? There are so many variables…
I cleaned my stores windows for 6 years, my neighbors (other tenants) for the same time, and in my neighborhood for 3 years prior to relocating to Illinois.
I’m 45 years of age.
I ask to speak with the owner, or manager. I introduce myself. My “one minute elevator speech” goes something like this.
“Hello/Good Morning/Afternoon/Evening. May I speak with the owner or Manager, please? My name is Wade (last name), and I am the owner of (business name). I’ve been cleaning windows for over 5 years now, and am expanding into this area. May I give you a FREE QUOTE for your window service. Here’s a little brochure about my business, here’s my business card. Have a look at it while I am out, and I’ll be back in a minute to go over the quote with you, and answer any questions you may have. | time outside & return | Alright (first name), (if applicable) while I was outside inspecting your windows, I noticed that your sills aren’t being wiped down / your frames aren’t being wiped down / cobwebs in the corners of your windows are being overlooked / your entryway is a little dirty. I want you to know that my quote includes all of these things, and I guarantee my work - in fact I give you my personal cell number to call if you have any concerns that need to be addressed before, during and after we clean your windows. I want you to feel confident that your business, and you are being taken care of by a professional in a positive and efficient manner. I am so confident that I will do a better job than your current window cleaner, that I will put you on the schedule for a FREE EXTERIOR WINDOW CLEANING on (day/date) - If you’re not happy, then you lose nothing. But, if you’re happy, I want to take care of this location and all of your other locations, too. What questions or concerns do you have for me? | listen & address those questions |”
I provide a neatly prepared, computer printed, black and white quote. I have and pass out business cards. I also offer a $20 CREDIT (or FREE CLEANING) for each referred new CLIENT who engages my business. I also offer 20% off RESIDENTIAL QUOTE coupon, and $20 RESIDENTIAL REFERRAL COUPON to each employee, manager, and the business owner.
Tell me what you think.
it sounds to me as if your opening patter is too detailed. i dont do any shops now(prefer houses) but when i did ,i simply walked in and asked to speak to the boss ,soon as the boss fellah walked towards me he could already see i was a window cleaner ,as i had the gear on and i smiled ,said hi,and immediately say “want your windows cleaning chief ? " and straight away can tell from his face expression if im onto a winner or a loser. if its a woman boss you could sortof tip your cap and say “want your windows cleaning ma"am ?” and be prepared to do them straight away, almost the” bellboy" approach .
Emriodered or logo’d apparell is the best way to go. A uniform appearance can provide confidence with a customer, and a sense of security. Ultimately anything you can do to increase customer confidence in you and your business is something worth making a habit.
It’s better to be a little over dressed than under IMO… and make sure you know what an iron is and how to use it. People key in on appearance - some people notice shoes, others shirts, and so on. Your image can make or break the sale.
Invest in some shirts and logos.
When cleaning windows my employees wear a company polo with the companies name and logo on it. The polo’s are not cotton, they are like golf shirts. The polo’s also have the employees name on it, which I think is VERY important. How does someone approach you if they do not know you name? Hey…hey you there, common we can do better than that! Oh yeah and brown Khaki shorts.
I preach IMAGE to my employees on a daily basis. Shirts must be tucked in at all times, act, look and BE professional.
How old are you? Adults do not insult people who ask simple questions.
Old enough to know what professional dress looks like across a variety of industries.
We still haven’t heard from WADE911 about his age (typically closely associated with life and professional experience.) It may or may not provide his audience with the type of information needed to provide an appropriate response.
We’ve already read some posts from WADE911 that indicated some confusion and/or lack of experience.
My response was to let WADE911 know that there is an expectation when one reaches a certain level of experience/age.
