They say that image is everything and some of us have seen it all. Have you ever went into a store and just could not believe what you were seeing behind the counter? Is that a real human? Without trying to make the world into a civilization like the "Borg" there are a few things you need to think about in your small business. You need a grooming policy; one, which allows for individualism to a point but conveys confidence to the consumer.
Obviously if you run certain types of businesses such as; a head shop, tattoo parlor, a funky novelties retail store, new age spirituality store, adult book store, alternative music shop or cyber caf?; then grooming policy is not as critical. As a matter of fact the more unique the grooming from mainstream the better following of clientele you will have. For the rest of it is different.
All employees and crewmembers must be well groomed. Shirts should be tucked in. Men should be clean-shaven. Facial hair is ok but beards must be trimmed and mustaches should be well kept. We don't want anyone looking like Charlie Manson or Adolf Hitler. Everyone should like they have just left ettiqutte school for girls or graduated from the boy scout. Well, let's not take this too far, however we as business people must be thinking here to insure repeat customers and lots of referral business. So, hair should be brushed and controlled even on windy days or wear a hat; not just any hat, a company logo'ed hat. In the summer most workers cut their hair to stay cool and keep perspiration out of their eyes. If you are an outdoor service company like ours, we run a car wash, then we recommend sweat bands if this continues to be a problem (company colors, of course). Additionally in our company we go so far as to instruct workers to be careful not to wipe their face after handling tire dressing because your hands will have black on them and you will eventually get stains all over your head band and in your eyes. Each company has a different set of things to think of. Food vendors have other issues, clothing stores others; every business is different and your grooming policy needs to be cognizant of how you business differs from others and what type of policy is safe and smart for you.
All workers should shower each morning before work. This keeps them smelling nice; body odor can be a real turn off to customers and kill a sale faster than anything else. If a crewmember perspires a lot, that worker should bring an extra towel and shirt if they work outside. Politely suggesting body deodorant may not be such a bad idea either to help you from losing sales.
In the car wash business we must be concerned that a worker should not use car wash towels to wipe sweat off their face and body. The towels will dry out and someone else will accidentally pick up that towel and use it for windows or wax and smear dried sweat all over a black Mercedes. If your company works out doors on humid days; the heavily perspiring worker should change in to their new second company shirt at 2:00 pm after wiping off with the towel they brought.
Extra deodorant, preferably roll-on with a cap that fits snug, can be kept in the break room with the employees name on it. If you work outside with a work crew out of a work truck, keep it behind the seat, rather than in the glove box. Roll-on left in the glove box on hot days will heat up and leak. The best thing to use is baking soda. If you rub a little under your arms, it will absorb sweat for hours.
What ever grooming and personal hygiene policy you have must fit your individual small business, do not simply adopt another businesses policies, make your own and think about it.
"Lance Winslow" - If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; www.worldthinktank.net/wttbbs
car service from Midway Burlington .. Lockport Chicago limo O’HareYears ago when my Dad owned a group of local... Read More
The wind of changes...The digital world has changed the form... Read More
News releases are not the best way to get major... Read More
Leaders in the business world need public relations big time,... Read More
If you're trying to promote your store, but you don't... Read More
A common complaint you'll hear is that the media is... Read More
You never want to inundate a reporter with information, but... Read More
When is your best advertisement not an advertisement? When it's... Read More
The public relations goal and strategy make sense; the message... Read More
OK, as a manager, your goal is to show a... Read More
Everything, that is, if you ignore those folks whose behaviors... Read More
? Don't wear all black. You'll look as though you're... Read More
As the kids say, how cool is this?You're a business,... Read More
Think of a triangle. On the left, imagine the story... Read More
Have you fantasized about spreading word of your business on... Read More
There's a dirty little secret about press releases that the... Read More
For a business, non-profit or association manager, they could be... Read More
If you want to know the best way to approach... Read More
Do small-business owners always have to rely on large PR... Read More
Many of my clients have had the misguided perception that... Read More
Media relations is a great profession.On good days, I earn... Read More
Writing a press (or media) release is quite an art... Read More
Ain't a gonna happen unless business, non-profit and association managers,... Read More
And not results you can measure only in terms of... Read More
Aren't you tired of hearing how extremely easy it is... Read More
Granger limo Chicago ..Don't assume that a reporter understands financial planning. If anything,... Read More
I heard a speaker recently who was talking about how... Read More
They know they had better do something positive about those... Read More
Media relations is a great profession.On good days, I earn... Read More
Above all, you need to know that the right PR... Read More
In a media interview, always stick to your main points... Read More
Only two media in Spanish speaking countries offer RSS: the... Read More
PR, that is public-relations, leads the way to effective advertising;... Read More
?2004 Jeffrey DobkinSixty dollars doesn't go a long way in... Read More
From time to time, people ask me how public relations... Read More
How do press releases or interest stories have an effect... Read More
Sure. What else do you call a human discipline whose... Read More
News releases are not the best way to get major... Read More
When, as a business, non-profit or association manager, you are... Read More
Before meeting my soon-to-be-wife for the first time, I "Googled"... Read More
As an entry level position to PR, I found myself... Read More
If you're an online business using public relations (PR) to... Read More
Use journalistic styleReporters are busy. Just like you.So when you... Read More
We'd all like reporters to ask us about our career... Read More
Always ask, "Is now a good time?"Deadlines in journalism are... Read More
If you want to know the best way to approach... Read More
Being invited to appear on radio and television used to... Read More
1. Appearing in other types of media is the best... Read More
It sounds too simple to be true, but it really... Read More
Anything that lets managers achieve their managerial objectives is a... Read More
Public Relations |