UniFirst- 05-20-2013
WILMINGTON, MA () – Legendary Harvard Business School marketing professor Theodore Levitt once said, “People don’t want to buy a quarter-inch drill. They want a quarter-inch hole!” Similarly, business managers don’t want to simply rent work uniforms for their employees, they want to benefit from the many image enhancing results a managed workwear program can produce.
Foremost among those results is the ability to project a professional image and effectively promote a company brand, says Adam Soreff, Director of Marketing at UniFirst, a leading provider of uniforms and workwear to businesses throughout the U.S. and Canada.
“A few years back, a national survey conducted by J.D. Power and Associates for the textile service industry found that customers are more inclined to do business with employees who wear uniforms because they stood out as professionals and were seen as being more competent and knowledgeable. Those survey results hold true today and can translate into real bottom line benefits for those companies choosing a managed uniform program for their employees.”
Soreff says the top 10 reasons businesses opt for work uniform programs are:
- Create an attractive business image.For better or worse, society tends to judge people by how they dress. Selecting an appropriate employee uniform can immediately establish a professional business image that attracts and helps retain customers.
- Promote your company or brand.When employees wear uniforms displaying corporate logos and colors, they help brand and differentiate their business in the markets they serve.
- Free advertising.Well designed work uniforms worn in public become “walking billboards,” promoting a company’s products and services “for free.”
- Protect workers.Uniforms deliver functional benefits, like wearer safety. For example, flame resistant (FR) workwear can help prevent injuries caused by accidental electrical arc flashes or flash fires, and high visibility uniforms can help protect workers from being struck by motorized vehicles.
- Improve security.Company uniforms featuring specific styles or colors quickly identify who does or does not belong in specific work areas or on job sites.
- Prevent product cross-contamination.Uniform programs designed specifically for the food or healthcare industries can help reduce cross-contamination threats; those constructed to dissipate static electricity can help prevent damage to sensitive electronic components.
- Foster team spirit.Work uniforms promote a sense of team spirit and a sense of belonging. This, in turn, can improve worker productivity.
- Employee benefit.Employer provided uniforms save employees money, and when provided as part of a Rental Program, eliminate employee laundering time and expense.
- Improve customer relationships.Work uniforms immediately identify company representatives who can be approached for purchasing information, thereby improving overall customer service.
- Promote company pride.Work uniforms help instill a sense of pride and responsibility and can convert employees into “brand ambassadors” outside the actual workplace.
About UniFirst
UniFirst (NYSE: UNF), a North American leader in the supply and servicing of uniforms, workwear, and protective clothing, outfits more than 1.5 million workers each business day. The company’s most popular brands include UniWeave®, SofTwill®, UniWear®, and Armorex FR®. UniFirst also offers Facility Service programs including floor mats, mops, and restroom products. For more information, contact UniFirst at 888-879-2169 or visit UniFirst.com.
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As an expert in marketing and business strategies, I can affirm the significance of employee uniforms in enhancing a company's image and brand promotion. Theodore Levitt's quote about the quarter-inch drill aptly illustrates the underlying principle that customers seek solutions and outcomes rather than mere products or services. In the realm of employee uniforms, this translates to businesses not just seeking attire for their staff but aiming for tangible benefits that extend beyond the surface.
The article emphasizes the top 10 benefits of employee uniforms, drawing on insights from Adam Soreff, the Director of Marketing at UniFirst, a reputable provider of uniforms and workwear in the U.S. and Canada. The key concepts covered in the article include:
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Professional Image Projection: Employee uniforms play a crucial role in creating an attractive business image. Society tends to judge individuals based on their attire, and a well-designed uniform immediately establishes professionalism, influencing customer perceptions positively.
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Brand Promotion: Uniforms become a powerful tool for promoting a company or brand. Logos and colors displayed on employee uniforms contribute to brand recognition and differentiation in the markets they serve.
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Free Advertising: Uniforms act as "walking billboards," providing free advertising for a company's products and services when worn in public spaces.
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Worker Safety: Functional benefits of uniforms extend to worker safety. For instance, flame-resistant (FR) workwear can prevent injuries caused by accidental electrical arc flashes or flash fires, while high visibility uniforms enhance protection against motorized vehicle accidents.
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Improved Security: Uniforms help identify authorized personnel, enhancing security by quickly distinguishing those who belong in specific work areas or on job sites.
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Preventing Cross-Contamination: Industry-specific uniform programs, such as those for the food or healthcare sectors, can contribute to reducing cross-contamination threats. Static-resistant uniforms also prevent damage to sensitive electronic components.
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Fostering Team Spirit: Work uniforms promote a sense of team spirit and belonging among employees, potentially improving overall productivity.
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Employee Benefits: Employer-provided uniforms offer financial benefits to employees by saving them money. Rental programs further eliminate the time and expense associated with employee laundering.
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Enhanced Customer Relationships: Work uniforms serve as identifiers, helping customers easily recognize and approach company representatives for purchasing information, thereby improving customer service.
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Promoting Company Pride: Uniforms contribute to instilling a sense of pride and responsibility among employees, transforming them into "brand ambassadors" even outside the workplace.
In conclusion, the article provides a comprehensive overview of the multifaceted advantages associated with implementing a managed uniform program, demonstrating a deep understanding of the strategic importance of employee uniforms in the business landscape.
