Style Advice for Businesses

So, there’s been a fortune spent on creating a brand – agony over the colour, investment in a great logo, the premises look really professional, the services you offer are great, it all represents who you are and what you do - fantastic. And then – your team let you down.

“Nice guy, but looks a bit funny”

“He’s a bit of a shambles but at least he seems to know his stuff”

“Her top was so low I didn’t know where to look”

“Oh my god – what is she wearing? How do I tell her that’s inappropriate here?”

How well does your team represent your brand?

Regardless of how politically correct it is to 'get to know someone' before we judge them, we don’t. Studies show that a first impression is made in less than a second – and that first impression hits hardest, stays longest and is virtually unshakeable. The way your team represents your business via their personal presentation can have either a positive or negative effect.

“We’re not doing business today, pal”

“I get these guys coming in to sell me something and they’re dressed in jeans or wearing a tie that their three year old gave them for fathers day and it’s got teddy bears or something on it, or they’ve got stupid socks on or something…and I think to myself “we’re not doing business today, pal” - As told to us by Neil, senior manager of a large energy company.

"...not only are customers likely to judge employees themselves by their dress, but customers are also likely to use employee dress as cues to the quality of the organisation itself." - Source: 'The effects of dress on customer expectations of service quality & purchase intention.'  Journal of Business Research, 2004.

What business are you missing out on because of how your team dress?

Talking to staff about their personal presentation is really difficult because it’s so ... personal. We’re all a little scared of the employment law process – can you tell someone how to dress? How do you tell them? The answer is simple: you get us to tell them.

Perhaps you are thinking you’d rather spoil your team a little; provide an injection of fun into the workplace with a session on style, or you want to reward a well performing team member or customer - we can do that, too.

We offer styling advice to companies that covers the spectrum. We will tailor our content and create a style forum that suits your needs:

• Appropriate dress in the workplace
• Graduate Programmes
• Fun “what to wear” sessions
• Grooming tips
• One to One advice or Group Sessions
• Corporate Uniform advice
• Create a Dress Code for you

Our Corporate sessions are fun and interactive – we create a genuine context and provide real advice and coaching for your staff in a non-threatening, positive manner and ensure your team feels inspired and encouraged – not told off. Please contact us to discuss your needs.

"People have different perceptions of what they think is good dress. It was really good. Jackie actually helped us establish a proper dress code and present it to the staff in a way which was really well received. Overall our dress, especially in terms of the guys has improved dramatically. The guys took it up more than the girls did. They were very receptive. It took a couple weeks going out shopping and they've come back extremely well-groomed. They're looking great." Carole Pedder Withers Tsang.

“What can we say about Tuesday night, but wow and thanks. The evening has been the talk of the organisation all week. We had some great feedback from the staff. People were out in the shops on Wednesday lunchtime looking for all those special items. Make-up is being applied to some who have never tried. Even some of the men around here are asking when their session is (not sure if that is in jest, but I did say we can do it).” Louise Shields, Manukau City Council

“Just wanted to thank you again for a very informative, enjoyable 'Professional Image' presentation last night. I have had a lot of comments today from those who attended that they really enjoyed the session and found it valuable.” Ainsley Joyce, Kensington Swan

“The feedback from your seminar was great. Thank you very much. I will be sending out an official ‘thank you’ this week but in the meantime wanted to let you know how well received it was.” Marisa Bidois, Restaurant Association

“I just wanted to thank you again for your presentation on Thursday evening. We have received some lovely feedback from our clients and I thought I would attach a few of their emails so that you can see how you have inspired them all!!” Jane Higgie, BWT Auckland

Signature Style has worked with many of New Zealand’s top companies including:

• Estee Lauder
• UDC Finance
• Minter Ellison Rudd Watts
• Smith & Nephew
• Sebastian International
• Harvey’s Real Estate
• Heaney & Co.
• People Group
• The Conference Company
• Novo Nordisk Pharmaceuticals
• North Shore Senior Management Group
• Deloitte
• Law Staff
• Performance Finance Limited
• Sky City
• Stamford Plaza
• Spotless Services Limited
• Nga Kaiarataki Pathfinders
• ASB Bank
• KC Temps
• Knitworld
• Prime Finance
• Spicers
• Select Personnel Australasia
• Business World Travel
• Booker Spalding
• Restaurant Association
• Merivale Mall
• Hesketh Henry
• Hayes Knight
• OCS
• Impact PR
• Botany Town Centre
• Caughey Preston Trust
• Continental Car Services
• Insight Consultants
• LJ Hooker
• Employers & Manufacturers Association
• Avana
• Hudson
• Project Management Institute
• Apex Advice Group
• Fonterra
• KPMG
• PMANZ
• Omnicron
• New Zealand Lotteries Commission
• Orion Health
• Dermalogica
• Mortgages By Design
• Renaissance Group
• Visique
• Simpson Grierson
• Withers Tsang
• Manukau City Council
• Auckland City Council
• Massey University
• Auckland University of Technology
• High Modulus
• Kensington Swan
• Tower
• Rodney Wayne
• The Westin Lighter Quay
• Mission Estate Winery
• Flybuys