Uniforms are big business at Alsco and many other professional linen companies. As any Alsco representative can tell you, uniforms add a certain level of professionalism to any business. It is a wonder more businesses do not utilize them. Be that as it may, there are a number of industries that could truly benefit from uniforms if they were just willing to give them a try.
Consumer studies have shown that employee uniforms:
- create a positive image in the minds of customers
- create a better customer perception of quality
- encourage employees toward a higher work ethic.
Furthermore, there are certain industries for which customers simply expect uniforms. Transportation, healthcare, and emergency services are but three examples. Below are three additional examples of industries for which uniforms are not necessarily expected, but still a good idea.
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1. Car Washing and Detailing
Are you old enough to remember the days when uniformed service station attendants came out to fill your car, wash your windshield, and check tire pressure? If not, do little research into 1950s pop culture and you should be able to figure it out. At any rate, the car washing and detailing industry could take a lesson from 50s-era service stations.
A car wash and detailing shop should want to present an image of cleanliness and attention to detail. That is hard to do when workers are wearing jeans and unmatched T-shirts. Swap that informal clothing for a spiffy looking uniform and suddenly the car wash’s image changes.
2. Residential Lawn Care
The residential lawn care industry is big business these days. More often than not, lawn care specialists are sole proprietors with a pickup truck and thousands of dollars in equipment. A uniform would be a nice addition to the inventory. If a sole proprietor expands to the point of hiring employees, providing uniforms for them is a great perk that can make hiring easier.
Yes, it is a lot easier to go to work in a pair of jeans and a tank top. But a lawn care provider hoping to be perceived as professional needs to behave professional. An appropriate uniform would go a long way. It doesn’t have to be anything formal or stuffy; a pair of work slacks and a matching work shirt would be fine.
3. Tech Services
There are all sorts of service companies in the tech sector doing everything from network troubleshooting to PC upgrades and repairs. Workers in the tech sector look nice enough in business casual attire, but wouldn’t they look so much better in uniforms?
Sending out a team of tech specialists all wearing the same uniform says something about the professionalism of the contractor. Furthermore, a uniform makes it easier to recognize a tech working on-site. Such recognition could be important for security purposes.
The Right Uniform for the Job
Alsco says that there are uniforms for just about every industry. The key is choosing the right uniform for the job. For example, uniforms for industrial environments have to be able to withstand the punishment those environments dish out. They have to protect employees as much as making them look professional.
In customer-facing environments, uniforms have to be both professional looking and aesthetically pleasing. They are a big part of the image the company projects.
Uniforms are good for business on many levels. They improve relations with customers, make employees feel better about the work they do, and make the company more easily identifiable in terms of its brand. Why wouldn’t a company want employees to wear uniforms? It doesn’t make sense.