On my way out the door this morning, I paused at the mirror in the hallway and asked by significant other “Do I look okay?”
“If you are going to a client meeting, no.”
She was right: the shirt and pants didn’t reflect how I should present myself to my client and to the audience at the coffee shop where we were meeting. Even though the client was undoubtedly going to arrive in a t-shirt and flip-flops, it was my duty to show up looking as professional as possible.
Ok, so it’s Friday and I leaned toward my nice jeans. But I wore a pressed shirt and loafers. You know, the Eddie Bauer casual look.
So how do you judge what to wear and when? It all depends on your audience. Consider your types of apparel:
- A jacket, dress shirt and tie for men and a suit for women (business attire).
- An open-collared shirt and dress slacks for men and a professional blouse and slacks or knee-length skirt for women (business casual or the aforementioned Eddie Bauer casual).
- Branded or plain polo and jeans or khakis for men and a similar outfit for women (weekend business or casual).
- T-shirt and shorts and running shoes and/or flip flops (either gender).
And what about the events that might attend:
- Business meeting at your client’s offices.
- Business meeting off-site at a coffee shop or restaurant.
- Chamber or association business meeting.
- Happy hour or social function after hours.
- Business breakfast.
It is almost a two-column, connect-the-lists game. But it isn’t: consider your own situation. How I treated my client today may be way different than you treat your contact tomorrow. Think about these considerations:
- How well do you know your client or meeting partner?
- What is their expectation of you?
- What is your expectation of yourself?
- What is the culture of your client’s company?
- Who else might be at the meeting or be able to see this meeting?
- Where else are you going that day?
While this might be a lot of thought to put into your appearance, it is well worth it. As Cathy said to me today: “If you are wearing a shirt branded with your company name, how do you want people to perceive it?” She was right, I want not only my client to think highly of me, I want others around to see that the company name is taken care of by being pressed and clean and stain free.
I also, most importantly, for my client to know that I respect him or her enough to arrive and conduct our meeting looking and feeling professional.
This goes double for the trade show floor: first impressions are lasting ones and on the show floor everyone and everything in your booth represents your company and supports your brand.
Dressing for success never meant so much as it does today.
Relentless
