Who Waived the Dress Code?

By Dave Tester

It is the mid part of summer--the time of year when weekends start on Friday and end Monday afternoon up at the lake. For those who leave early and come back from the weekend late and take advantage of the 4-day ‘recharge’, I am reminded that the dress code is wandering the way of the beach as well. “Casual Friday” is now seeping its way into Wednesday and Thursday like the Gulf oil spill.
I must tell you, I’ve never been a big proponent of casual Friday. The Bronco football team never practices without a helmet. They are always prepared for their job. Why wouldn’t you always dress prepared for your job? And that does not include flip-flops and an un-tucked shirt unless you work in the inner-tube rental shack a Barber Park. If your name is Steve Jobs you can skip this article. If you’re not Steve, please understand your sales will increase from current levels with the simple act of wearing a coat and tie—ladies that’s skirts or dressy slacks with heels.
Dressing Tips to Live by Monday-Friday at the Office:
-Don’t wear sneakers or sandals
-Wear slacks, skirts or dresses only
-Skip casual Friday and dress up (your sales will sky-rocket)
-Wear a shirt with a collar. If you wear a short-sleeved shirt, please do not try to dress it up with a tie
-Please tuck in your shirt
-No sweat suits-even if they say Nike
-Groom your hair guys and gals (wash it, too!)
-Facial hair should be tight, close and clean.
-No hats

Here’s my million dollar tip is to never say this: “If I showed up in a suit and tie, my customers would throw me out and never purchase from me.” I have been involved in sales for many years and to date, I have never been thrown out of a sales call for wearing a suit and tie. However, I have had a number of clients tell me they didn’t buy from my competition because they didn’t dress the part. You have seven seconds to make a first impression in sales. Dress up because you don’t get a second chance to be first.