Dress for sales/estimates
- Thread starter Tom Dunlap
- Start date
Reply on a serious note, I do most of the above. Talk to clients in work clothes, dress nice with button up collar shirt and kackeys. Sorry, no tie though I always thought that was the wrong approach in this line of work. I'm sure it has it's place though. I am embarressed to say I run numbers after work in the minivan with the family on the way to get a bite to eat. I try to park down or across the street. Somtimes there is only so much time in a day.
jim454
Participating member
- Location
- The land of Utopia
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If I am going to show up for a bid dirty, I will usually meet them at the door, and say something like, "sorry for my appearance, I worked with the crew today and didn't have time to clean up." Most or all of the potential customers think it is great that I have been working with the crew, or they don't think a thing of it. I do have collared embroidered shirts, but honestly don't wear them that often. I think more important than the clothes is clean cut or tidy facial hair, no sunglasses so they can see your eyes, and a pleasant demeanor.
just my $.02
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Agree 100% Noel. To add, authenticity in my opinion, is huge!
If I am going to show up for a bid dirty, I will usually meet them at the door, and say something like, "sorry for my appearance, I worked with the crew today and didn't have time to clean up." Most or all of the potential customers think it is great that I have been working with the crew, or they don't think a thing of it. I do have collared embroidered shirts, but honestly don't wear them that often. I think more important than the clothes is clean cut or tidy facial hair, no sunglasses so they can see your eyes, and a pleasant demeanor.
just my $.02
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Agree 100% Noel. To add, authenticity in my opinion, is huge!
it's when there is too much time that one needs to worry
- Location
- Bay Area, California
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I always wear my leather climbing boots and casuall well used leather jacket. I usaully wear dark sun glasses
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Claus?
SZ
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LMAO! That is the funniest thing I have seen in quite some time! Thanks for the laugh!
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I always wear my leather climbing boots and casuall well used leather jacket. I usaully wear dark sun glasses
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Claus?
SZ
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LMAO! That is the funniest thing I have seen in quite some time! Thanks for the laugh!
easyphloem
Branched out member
- Location
- Louisville, KY
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LMAO! That is the funniest thing I have seen in quite some time! Thanks for the laugh!
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Yeah, I even cracked myself up on that one. It was set up so perfectly though, I couldn't resist!
SZ
LMAO! That is the funniest thing I have seen in quite some time! Thanks for the laugh!
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Yeah, I even cracked myself up on that one. It was set up so perfectly though, I couldn't resist!
SZ
- Location
- NJ
Yes very witty
I agree with Noel and have pulled that a couple of times. If I have a day of just running around giving prices then its nice casual boots, nice jeans and polo. My girlfriend's dad owns his own construction/remodeling company for the past 30 years and he swears that people expect certain professions to be dressed a certain way. Example, You expect your doctor to have a white coat and your mechanic to be wearing a blue shirt with matching pants. So that being said what would you do if you had a roofer or plumber come out to give you a price and he wore a 3 piece suit toting a brief case. My first thought would be " O man hear we go, this guy is going to try and sell me something I don't need." Just a thought.
treehumper
Carpal tunnel level member
- Location
- Ridgefield, NJ
Dress the part. And by that I mean, what people expect plus a bit. A nice casual shirt with a logo and clean khakis or arborwear pants. Boots since you'll be in the yard and possibly going into a bit of muck. If you are the worker/sales person then it will happen that you'll show up at a sales call in work duds. Noel's approach works well.
If you show up looking professional then the crew should too. That will give the client confidence. If you don't actually do the work then you'll need to address this when talking to the client about the company and how it operates. THIS IS SELLING! Explain about the crew and their expertise. The linkage between you and the crew so their isn't any disconnect.
It will come down to your client base though. How do they perceive you and your company AND the industry? What are their expectations? Consider that many of them own or run a business, or are professionals. Just make sure your appearance matches how you present, i.e., if you look like a pro sound like one.
If you show up looking professional then the crew should too. That will give the client confidence. If you don't actually do the work then you'll need to address this when talking to the client about the company and how it operates. THIS IS SELLING! Explain about the crew and their expertise. The linkage between you and the crew so their isn't any disconnect.
It will come down to your client base though. How do they perceive you and your company AND the industry? What are their expectations? Consider that many of them own or run a business, or are professionals. Just make sure your appearance matches how you present, i.e., if you look like a pro sound like one.
- Location
- Massachusetts
I have done my own little study on doing estimates and here are my results. Dress code: If you are going to do estimates from a long days work go do the estimates dirty. I think people are more likely to hire a guy who is out doing the work everyday. If you are heading out to look at jobs from home and your not dirty, dress with your work clothes on. Wear job pants like Arborwear or Carhartt and wear a company t-shirt , sheat shirt, or golf shirt. Even put some dity work cloths on. LOOK THE PART.... Sell yourself, your company,and your services. I have noticed that the times that I go home and clean up and hop in my wifes Volvo Cross Country and go out and do estimates, I don't get the work... I really think that people feel that tree guys should not dress nice or drive nice vehicles except pick ups. Just my feelings.
- Location
- AZ
How do you know what they're dressed like till you knock on the door?
Crazy_Jimmy
Participating member
- Location
- Texas
I would really like to see some of the percentages done as far as dress goes.I know most don't really keep hard data but should-myself included. It's funny how we want our crews to look super professional during the work,but we think it's ok not to look the part for sales. You don't have to look dirty for them to think you know what you're doing.That should come out within the first few minutes of the call thru your conversation. A surgeon doesn't need to meet me all bloody before I go under.A few minutes of dialoge will assure me of his competence-and my confidence. A lot of guys can take direction or read a work order and do fantastic tree work. But that does not always translate into being a good salesman-arborist.To diagnois tree problems and their treatment takes a keen eye,experience, not to mention alot of knowledge regarding arboriculture.Or aleast thats what they should have.Problem is alot of guys are good salesman but dont know jack about arboriculture and sale alot of stuff thats is unneeded.I do know of a sales guy/arborist who wears a shirt and tie (up north) and does over a million + a year(he also was a great climber when he was younger).I think it all depends on the client you're after.Alot of clients would not care how you look ,but some want you to look the part even during sales.For the record im not that great at sales,I have tendency to be in a hurry and miss things.I guess I want to get back to the job so I can climb more.But I do have a sales guy also and he has no problem convincing the client that the crew knows what they are doin since I do the work.He wears a logoed polo and Tech pants but is open to the shirt and tie
- Location
- Longmont, CO
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...I usaully wear dark sun glasses and take them off (and keep them off) when we meet as a way to show respect...
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I do the same.
Not only does it show respect, but it will show honesty (that you can be trusted). It will also show that you are listening when you look them into their eyes.
Non-verbal communication is very important when doing sales. Our first impressions, with how we choose to dress, can (but, not exclusively) effect making a sale.
I dress "business casual."
...I usaully wear dark sun glasses and take them off (and keep them off) when we meet as a way to show respect...
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I do the same.
Not only does it show respect, but it will show honesty (that you can be trusted). It will also show that you are listening when you look them into their eyes.
Non-verbal communication is very important when doing sales. Our first impressions, with how we choose to dress, can (but, not exclusively) effect making a sale.
I dress "business casual."
Attachments
- Location
- Longmont, CO
- Location
- Longmont, CO
- Location
- Longmont, CO
treehumper
Carpal tunnel level member
- Location
- Ridgefield, NJ
Body language is huge. How and where you stand in relation to the customer, mirroring how they communicate and showing a confident, open posture is all vital to connecting with the client.
Understand how they process information as well.
Understand how they process information as well.
- Location
- under grace
I think clean cut is good!! Dress for success. I heard a lot so far about dressing how the client expects us to? don't a lot of clients also expect topping,and a bunch of drunk losers to show up and cut their trees /I mean after all don't you have to be nuts to do this kinda work!! Lets Raise the expectations of our industry?! And i certainly do not mean suit and tie. But clean is good ! And i do not think if we go with Oak stink on us we will be villified but sales attire should be one step up from the duds we work in!!?
- Location
- Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
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I think clean cut is good!! Dress for success. I heard a lot so far about dressing how the client expects us to? don't a lot of clients also expect topping,and a bunch of drunk losers to show up and cut their trees /I mean after all don't you have to be nuts to do this kinda work!! Lets Raise the expectations of our industry?! And i certainly do not mean suit and tie. But clean is good ! And i do not think if we go with Oak stink on us we will be villified but sales attire should be one step up from the duds we work in!!?
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Good point!
If the "expectation" is a sweaty dirty worker turning up then why not be the one out of 3 quotes they remember. The professional one, the well dressed one, the one who turned up on time, etc.
If you want the same results as everyone else, then be the same.
If you want results above the average, then step up & present your business as being above the average tree business.
The people that dont like it are the cheap customers that your competitors are welcome to have.
The people that appreciate it are the ones that will pay a higher price for essentially the same work due to the perceived value you present.
Then your crew has just got to deliver to at least that expectation or above.
I think clean cut is good!! Dress for success. I heard a lot so far about dressing how the client expects us to? don't a lot of clients also expect topping,and a bunch of drunk losers to show up and cut their trees /I mean after all don't you have to be nuts to do this kinda work!! Lets Raise the expectations of our industry?! And i certainly do not mean suit and tie. But clean is good ! And i do not think if we go with Oak stink on us we will be villified but sales attire should be one step up from the duds we work in!!?
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Good point!
If the "expectation" is a sweaty dirty worker turning up then why not be the one out of 3 quotes they remember. The professional one, the well dressed one, the one who turned up on time, etc.
If you want the same results as everyone else, then be the same.
If you want results above the average, then step up & present your business as being above the average tree business.
The people that dont like it are the cheap customers that your competitors are welcome to have.
The people that appreciate it are the ones that will pay a higher price for essentially the same work due to the perceived value you present.
Then your crew has just got to deliver to at least that expectation or above.
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