Often neglected as a top priority, branded uniforms are much more than just your logo on a piece of clothing. Also known as corporate workwear, work uniform or personalised workwear, depending on the type of industry and the size of the company. Branded uniforms are an extension of your culture and brand. They provide an instant, cohesive and professional business identity and give your customers confidence in your products or services. Workwear can also unify a team and give employees pride in their work. And work uniform doesn’t just refer to a polo or t-shirt with your company logo printed on. There are masses of wearable items that can be personalised for your employees, from hoodies, caps, gloves, jackets, aprons and even face coverings. With a massive 91% of marketing respondents in a BPMA study using branded clothing, we thought it would be useful to share with you why branded uniforms are so important and why you may want to consider adding them as a marketing tactic.
The importance of company uniforms:
1. First impressions count
By investing in a corporate uniform you know that the first visual impression a prospective customer has, is a positive one. If you have an outdated, impractical or disjointed company uniform, you can create a bad impression even before you have had the chance to make a potentially lucrative connection.
2. Increase brand awareness
Whether your team is client facing or they wear their branded uniform at events, tradeshows, exhibitions or client meetings; by wearing a branded uniform, you will be increasing your brand visibility and awareness.
From a subtle embroidered logo or icon to an all over full colour creative print design, personalised clothing can be seen as an advertising tactic. And what better way to promote your culture and brand image than what your team wears! Even if your staff aren’t face to face with customers, just by wearing corporate clothing to and from work, your brand will be seen and reinforced.
3. Immediately establish a professional business image
With your team in a well thought out corporate uniform incorporating your brand colours and logo, you will instantly create a professional business image. Customers will have confidence in your brand and what it is you are offering.
A branded uniform will make each of your employees easily identifiable, especially important if your company is client facing. It will ease any confusion and make it easy for customers to ask for help or advice.
You may also have different departments that require a mix of uniform types (i.e. office staff may need less corporate attire to client facing staff) or levels of staff seniority within your business you want to differentiate. By tweaking the brand design, colours or garment styles but keeping to a main brand theme, your company can create a cohesive, unified and professional image.
As well as looking more professional to customers, a corporate team uniform acts as a reminder to your employees, that they are the face of the brand, and in turn will encourage a sense of professionalism in their work.
4. Employees will look professional and feel at ease
By providing a branded uniform to your team, you are making sure employees look professional and are maintaining a consistent brand image. This is especially important if they have a client meeting or are client facing.
It is also a way to take away any stress of deciding what to wear each morning. This can be an unnecessary pressure for employees, trying to piece together attire that suits each day and meets the standards of the company and fellow workers. If we are not happy or feel uncomfortable with how we look, it can provoke a negative mind-set for the working day ahead.
By offering your staff branded uniforms, you will therefore be putting everyone on a level pegging, no matter what their personal or financial situation is. Corporate uniforms will give your employees the opportunity to look and feel at their best; a great way to boost self-esteem and confidence.
5. Boost team morale
A strong brand with a professional, quality branded uniform will no doubt help to boost your team’s morale. By wearing the same uniform as colleagues, it instantly creates a sense of belonging, a camaraderie and equality in the workforce. This in turn encourages more collaborative working and ultimately raises team spirit within the workplace.
Employees will value the investment you have made on them with a branded uniform, it will help to raise job satisfaction and they are more likely to become advocates of your business.
We would recommend that you involve your team in the selection process, to ensure they are both comfortable and happy with their uniform. This will ensure that everyone feels and looks the part and will take pride in their work. Employees will also be more likely to want to wear their branded uniforms outside of the workplace too, helping to increase brand visibility.
6. Improve productivity
Being comfortable in the workplace and feeling happy with what you are wearing will improve productivity. In fact, many workplaces now employ a more relaxed dress code to help to make their staff feel comfortable. Instead of corporate shirts, maybe opting for a branded t-shirt or hoodie. Those who work within a service industry that requires protection from their clothing will feel safer with the appropriate branded safety wear.
Having a healthy work life balance also plays a part in increasing productivity in the workplace. By implementing a branded uniform, it is one way to help to mentally separate both spaces.
Examples of Types of Workwear
Customer Service Branded Clothing
For those who work in customer facing roles, be it in retail, events based or visiting customers; clothing with your branding on will provide a great first impression of your company. Depending on the sector and brand image you want to portray, there is a huge selection of wearable items that can be branded with your logo.
Hospitality Workwear
Branded uniform is vital in the leisure and hospitality industry to ensure customers can instantly recognise who they can approach. Whether they are front of house, work with food or behind the scenes, a company uniform will help to distinguish different services within a company as well as conveying professionalism.
Safety Wear
For those in the construction industry and those who work in hazardous areas, it is essential to wear branded uniforms for safety reasons. From hi-vis waistcoats and jackets to improve visibility, to hard wearing trousers for protection.
Healthcare Protective Clothing
The healthcare industry is also another sector that needs a uniform to help keep everyone safe and reduce the spread of germs. From protective aprons and gloves, to branded colour coded clothing to help to quickly identify staff in an emergency.
If you need help choosing the perfect branded uniform for your business, get in touch with one of our experienced team and we would be happy to advise you. You can email or call us on 0114 275 4150.
Steel City Marketing – Expert Branded Merchandise Suppliers
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