Got a Problem Dresser in Your Office

Talking to someone about inappropriate  clothing is uncomfortable to say the least. But it's important for employees to understand how their personal image affects the perception of the company. Here are some conversation starters:

First impressions are vital. We want our company and employees to be seen as professional and trustworthy. Dressing to match the part will help both yourself and the company succeed.

Communicating with our customers happens not only with words and phones calls, but with our appearance. Having our customers' view our appearance in a positive light is essential to successfully communicating and both attracting and retaining business.

Be honest, but compassionate, in your conversation. Give examples of what is appropriate for your workplace and why certain clothing is inappropriate. Remind employees their clothes should not pull attention away from what they have to say, but should reflect the professional message of their words. 

Susan Osborne is owner of Be Image Consulting in Manchester, providing corporate imaging training, style assessment, color analysis and personal shopping services. For more information, call 603-624-2511, email susan@beimageconsulting.com, or visit www.beimageconsulting.com.