Dear Reader,
Whatever happened to dressing, speaking, behaving, just a little better than we suspect our audience may, so that they know we respect their time and thought about impressing them?
Oh, I could be thinking of the ladies, but today I’m not. I know there are ladies who’ve made an occasional, tiny error in dress out there, wondering about improving their Customer Experience, but ‘tis not to you I speak.
Casual Fridays? Not fond of them, but I survive. Casual client meetings, interviews, conferences? NO.
NO.
Let’s just say I had a meeting recently with a gent whose attire left me speechless. Not in a good way. No sale.
If you’re planning a speech or a meeting where you’d like to make a good impression on your prospect or client (is there a time when you don’t want to make a good impression?), take a moment to visit one of my favorite guilty lurking pleasures: Art of Manliness. Let Brett McKay help you look like the ace professional you really are. And if you want to sell me something, sell me on you, first.
Yes, personal appearance is part of Maximum Customer Experience. Take care of the details, and they’ll take care of you.
Have your say. You know you want to. 
Grow and be well,
Kelly Erickson
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2 August 2008, 8:51 am
Kelly,
That has to be one of my favourite sites to lurk as well. One of these days I’ll have to start commenting there too (but can’t spread myself too thinly!)
I like to dress up myself, from time to time. Though where I work, ripped-knee jeans and an Iron Maiden t-shirt is considered okay…
(yikes)
-Brett
2 August 2008, 12:19 pm
Brett,
I hear you. After months of being pretty stable at thirty or so blogs I scan/read/occasionally comment at, ten or so which I comment at regularly, I just delurked on three in a space of two weeks, that I can no longer read in silence. Ack! Where will I get more time in my day?
*sigh* I guess if the Iron Maiden tee has withstood all these years, that practically is dressy, isn’t it?
In the days when my Dad worked for an outfit similar to yours (60s–70s–early 80s), no one would come to work without a sportcoat at the least. Some higher-up would faint if you did. No pocket square, of course, but for an interview or a presentation, maybe.
He watched it change a lot in the last few years and when he went on to smaller outfits he discovered that the large Widget Factory was more conservative. First I think he was appalled by golf shirts and khakis, but he’s long gotten over that.
As a motel owner there’s not a lot of call for presentations (or conferences, or interviews) so I forgive him, but oh, there are a lot of us who could be making more sales (getting job, keeping date, impressing audience…) if we’d remember that old advice. Be dressed in keeping with the folks you’re meeting with, but a little better. Like them on their best days. It just makes people feel like you’re a pro.
I know you won’t wear the Iron Maiden tee to an interview in VT. He he.
Conversation with my parents about the Widget Factory in VT the other day, BTW. They say it’s aging, and residents are howling about it as always, but that the state is very good to them and they have big plans for it coming up. (Whatever that means.) Of course they don’t have any insider info, but that’s the local buzz. Thought I’d pass it along in case you’re still thinking about New England.
Hoo, long comment. I do go on!
Regards,
Kelly
2 August 2008, 1:33 pm
Kelly,
That’s how it used to be here too, in the old days (long before I was here) – people dressed up.
You’re right though, no Iron Maiden tee to an interview, even in VT. Heck, I feel bad just leaving the house without shaving.
Vermont Yankee provides about 1/3 of VT’s electrical power, and the current licence expires in 2012. They applied for a 20 year extension in 2006, with a decision expected this year. I can’t imagine them not doing it, as it has one of the best service records on the planet, and VT needs the power.
(Yes, I am still thinking of that – for until my evil plans fully unfold, I still need to put bread on the table… more on those evil plans soon…)
Hey, long comments are good!
-Brett
Brett Legree’s last blog post…viking fridays – burn the boats, revisited.
2 August 2008, 1:45 pm
Brett,
My parents told me that New York tried to woo them, but they can’t what they want from New York (Hey, we don’t hafta! We’re New Yawk!) so the buzz is they stay and things go forward with joy for all. I don’t know how you woo a nuclear facility, but apparently it involves a lot of hand-holding and *very* soft kisses, lol.
I had no idea they were that critical to Vermont’s power. In that case the state should beat NY off with a stick!
Later,
Kelly
2 August 2008, 1:54 pm
Kelly,
I’m not too sure either what would be involved in a “woo-ing”, but I know that most of the nuclear plants in the US contract out just about every service – maybe the contracts offered were more economical. But then again, do you really want the lowest bid in a nuke plant? Hmm…
Yeah, they are a key part of VT’s power. I think that’s why the pay is very good there.
-Brett
Brett Legree’s last blog post…viking fridays – burn the boats, revisited.
2 August 2008, 2:02 pm
@Kelly
Argh. I hate dressing up.
(Insert Tantrum here). You cant’ make me. You can’t make me. You can’t me make! Waaaahhhh!!!!
Granted, if it’s a job interview, or presenting myself to clients, sure, there’s a time and place. And I definitely WILL make the effort.
But on a daily basis, just working at my desk, pushing paper with colleagues, I don’t see the point of wearing a suit and tie. Who are we trying to impress? I’m glad dress at work is casual.
Okay, maybe tank Tops and torn jeans is pushing the limits. But I see nothing wrong with clean khaki pants and a golf shirt (or sports shirt).
Gone are the days when Ward Cleaver came home from work, and relaxed in his Caridgan vest and tie, smoking a pipe. (My GOD..if I had to dress up like at home, I’d shoot myself.) Can you imagine how STUFFY the 50′s must have been?).
Acceptable dress used to include wearing a bustle and corset and five petticoats. And people thought it was controversial when Kennedy didnt’ wear a hat. But times change…
Its’ funny. Gorillas or Chimps run naked, and don’t care. But the North American House-Ape has created all kinds of rules over what kind animal skins and cloths are appropriate to wear.
That being said, I KNOW I will lose this argument.
We have too many ladies here who enjoy dressing up!
@Brett
Whats this about VT? Is there some news, perhaps?
Friar’s last blog post…Only in Splat Creek Ontario (*)…
2 August 2008, 2:58 pm
@Friar,
No news yet – just wishful thinking and perseverance. If you ever fancy a change, there’s lots of work out that way in our field. And the pay is much better. As is the skiing…
-Brett
2 August 2008, 2:59 pm
I’m not sure. I’m pretty torn on this issue. I definitely concede that around clients and professional environments dressing appropriately is a must. Someone’s first impression of you is, naturally, how you look, so it is important to look professional and, occassionally, classy. But I have to agree with Friar that dressing casually is preferred if there isn’t a strong reason. Probably, I love to dress up, but I never do because the clothes I buy never fit properly
@Frair, I absolutely loved “The North American House-Ape” comment! It had me laughing enough to concern my dog
I’ll join your sinking ship.
Nathan Egelhof’s last blog post…An Unexpected Source of Love
2 August 2008, 3:01 pm
Friar,
Of course, I did mention that I was discussing such public occasions as the one in which Mr. I-Can’t-Be-Bothered came to meet with me. Part of what we sell is ourselves—no attention to detail, why should I give you money, eh?
I’m not running down your fishing attire, which I am sure pleases the fish very much. On the other hand…
Reverse tantrum >> I wear a suit every day, and I work with people who do. People in lots of professions do. Lawyers, doctors, some professors… it can be done.
I don’t need Ward on my evenings at home. Gary Cooper will do fine (see Art of Manliness link).
I don’t dress up like June Cleaver, but apparently my “casual” is over the top for the Splat Creek clone-town that I mentioned on your post. I get a lot of looks from the flannel set. Slacks and a clean blouse is formal? I won’t buy a set of icky clothes to please locals where I vacation. I won’t I won’t waaahh! <<
Friar, if you are a gorilla or a chimp, I capitulate. Otherwise… not so much.
Then again, if your management likes it, if Claire likes it, you’re fine.
^^
. .
^
o
The news is, VT is sunny, 78°, full of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream, and nukes… and me, for some of the last weeks in August (that clone-town is on the VT border). Get me out of here. it’s 90-something as usual and I’m melting!
Regards,
Kelly
2 August 2008, 3:04 pm
I work in IT, albeit mainframe (yes, Cobol), so the dress code is a bit more relaxed. However, a certain amount of decorum is still required. Where on earth does Brett work?! If I know I don’t have any meetings, I can wear nice jeans, and semi-casual tops. However, for meetings? Pump it up! I was attending a meeting with my director (I’m a manager) and we got into the elevator at another building. One of our senior analysts was getting onto the elevator with us. My director asked him who he was meeting with. Turns out he was meeting with our legal department. His attire? Casual sandals, those shorts that you can zip the bottom part onto to make pants, golf shirt. My director was horrified. The guy was late 20-somethings, he was neat, tidy and comfortable. I’m sure that is as far as his thought process went. Personally, I like to dress more professionally. It’s like putting on a uniform. One the days I dress the exact same way I do at home, I find my attitude at work is far less professional.
Urban Panther’s last blog post…You found what in his cabinet?
2 August 2008, 3:07 pm
Nathan,
He needs more on his sinking ship. LOL!
Yes, the golf-shirt and khakis are fine if it’s not a public moment. Well, survivable.
Depends on the work, but if you have a boss, and therefore you aren’t the boss yet, you’d be surprised what an impression on management a little better attire can make. “Here is a person on his way up.”
A rule I learned a long time ago—dress for the job you want to have, not for the one you have. If you’re planning to be CEO someday, wear it now. It works, gentlemen, yes it does.
Later,
Kelly
2 August 2008, 3:12 pm
Panther,
Brett keeps Canada from nuking the U.S. At least, I’m hoping that’s what he does.
“Those shorts that you can zip the bottom part onto to make pants”—ROFLOL. That is exactly as bad as the meeting that inspired this post.
Cobol *shivers* I remember it from college. Nasty. My Dad, he of the golf shirts, he can do that stuff in his sleep. He’s out, and he calls it flashbacks, now, though.
Until later,
Kelly
2 August 2008, 3:18 pm
@Nathan
Glad you liked it. Whenever we humans act too goofy, I like to remind myself that we’re just advanced Apes. (Ook Ook Ook!) I find this helps.
@Kelly
Send some of your 90F weather here.
Long weekend here..as usual, interspersed rain showers. We’ve had sunny days, but rarely more than one day at a time. I honestly can’t remember the last time we had 48 consecutive hours without rain. (I heard on the radio, they said it rained 20 days in July).
As for dressing up. I put this in the same category as eating my veggies. I don’t really enjoy it, but I do it because I know it’s good for me.
Friar’s last blog post…Friar’s Random Rants (Part III)
2 August 2008, 3:29 pm
@Urban Panther,
As Kelly says, I work in the Canadian nuclear industry just west of you on Highway 17. (if you Google it you should be able to figure it out)
IT, you say. Are you hiring? I’m the biggest computer geek you’ve never met.
(All self-taught, but I can back it up.)
-Brett
Brett Legree’s last blog post…viking fridays – burn the boats, revisited.
2 August 2008, 3:32 pm
@Brett…COBOL! You really want to go there?
Urban Panther’s last blog post…You found what in his cabinet?
2 August 2008, 3:38 pm
@Urban Panther,
Hey, it’s a stepping stone, right? Eventually you’ll move to something else! (Or if nothing else, your mainframes will have to be virtualized on modern iron, and I can do that. In fact, this afternoon’s project involves building some VM’s – I do this for fun.)
-Brett
Brett Legree’s last blog post…viking fridays – burn the boats, revisited.
4 August 2008, 12:25 pm
One of my local clients has casual Fridays. I have nothing personal against it — in fact I think that some “businesses” should be a little more relaxed in their general attire. But I tried dressing casually one Friday when I was in to visit and felt kind of naked…
Personally, I like to be looking professional for any meeting with a client. A nice dress shirt, dress pants, and leather shoes. No tie (hey, I’m a copywriter, so I have to at least hint at bohemianism if I am going to be taken seriously), but always coiffured and clean-shaven.
On the flip side, and perhaps ironically, part of me actually enjoys looking semi-dishevelled if I run into a client at the grocery store. It shows that (a) I do take the time and effort to dress up for them, indicating that I truly value them as clients and (b) that I really am a bohemian…
~Graham
4 August 2008, 2:56 pm
Graham,
Thank goodness. Another voice for looking prepared and professional.
I like the reasoning behind your dishevelled-on-the-weekend attire. I never thought about it like that, but I guess running into someone in your casual duds does round out the picture!
Regards,
Kelly
4 August 2008, 7:31 pm
I saw some guys in Barnes and Noble yesterday having a meeting. One guy was dressed in a nice black polo and black slacks. He was casual, but very well groomed. He was also buff, Very buff. But he wore a nice watch, good shoes, belt with the pants, but all very understated. The rest of the men were very Sunday casual, non descript. NOT that I was listening , but the talk was about a multimillion dollar development. Guess who they all listened to most?
Janice Cartier’s last blog post…Out of Chaos Comes OM
5 August 2008, 4:41 pm
@Brett – well, I suggest you apply (there is a CS04 poster on the Public Service Website), then sit back and relax. The wheels of government hiring turn at a stunningly painful crawl.
Urban Panther’s last blog post…Yep, tastes good
5 August 2008, 8:29 pm
@Urban Panther,
Thank you – I will have a look and put in for it. Yes, where we work is about the same. The wheels turn so slowly you have to replace the axles before each wheel turns completely around once…
Brett Legree’s last blog post…viking fridays – burn the boats, revisited.
5 August 2008, 8:41 pm
I have actually learned to dress down a bit. I speak at many conferences accross the country aimed at soldiers who are being medically released from the Armed Forces and need to transition to civilian life. Although I still wear a jacket, I ditched the tie because it was actually creating a barrier between the audience and I. You want to show respect while remaining on the same level as your audience. That’s my 2-bit!
Urbane Lion’s last blog post…Quantum of Solace
5 August 2008, 9:25 pm
Janice,
You know I stopped listening at “buff,” right? I am one predictable lady. Seriously, that is it. He who dresses for the occasion commands it.
Panther, Brett, talk amongst yourselves. He he. Kelly’s job board… how cool would that be?
Lion,
First thought: The Canadian Army has sommeliers come to speak?
Next thought: There’s a regular job involved here that I didn’t know about or forgot about. Or I’m moving to Canada and joining the Army.
Sounds like for the audience, you have the dress right. I learned the lesson long ago from an old story about selling I-forget-what to Iowa farmers. Dress like a city slicker, you lose. Dress like a farmer, they know you’re faking it. Dress as if you thought of your audience, but a bit better than they might. Politicians do it all the time, but then, they’re faking it, so maybe that’s not a good example.
Until later,
Kelly
6 August 2008, 1:17 pm
I am going back…purely as , uh, uh , research…not really stalking….
Yes. You are so predictable, but this buff was BUFF, had to share….and he had a brain, too
Maybe Texas is not so bad…
Janice Cartier’s last blog post…Watch the Watch
6 August 2008, 2:09 pm
Janice,
LOL LOL. Probably had one of those lovely Matthew McConaghey accents, too.
My local B & N never provides such fine research material for me, though I am there all the time. Sad, really. Hope your “research” goes well!
Until later,
Kelly
6 August 2008, 2:21 pm
Now…how to get into the Cattlemen’s Club ….sheesh, business in Texas….might be kind of fun.
Janice Cartier’s last blog post…Watch the Watch
6 August 2008, 2:32 pm
Janice,
You know, I don’t think I have. That’s one of those things you’d probably only bring up if it was a problem (and then very indirectly), and I don’t think I’ve had that issue with anyone.
We talked about it a lot in school, I remember. Presentations without presentation skills are horrendous to sit through, and we did a ton of presenting. It’s been a long time, but I still carry those lessons with me.
Later,
Kelly
6 August 2008, 2:46 pm
That makes sense. I was thinking of Emeril’s too. The noise level in there is not pleasant, very echo-y…just occured to me that sound is an important component in voice and in context.
I HAVE to go draw.
Cheers.
Janice Cartier’s last blog post…Watch the Watch
6 August 2008, 3:52 pm
Janice,
Ah, Emeril’s… the last time I was there he was just a one-store dude who all the mags were raving about. Before he was A Phenomenon. When he was just A Genius from 15 minutes away from where I lived as a teen. I had to go see what a Fall River kid was doing in New Orleans. Let’s see, it was a Tuesday or a Wednesday, full anyway, and I can still picture the place (maybe it’s changed), but I can’t remember noise.
Yes, that kind of noise we do discuss. I’ve written about sound in that context here, too. Some places the noisiness can wreck all other Experience factors. Ugh.
Draw away!
Later,
Kelly