Uniforms are often one of the last things that are considered during a brand refresh, total rebrand or venue fit-out. Read on and make sure get the corporate clothing component right and ensure a successful rebrand.
A well planned, stylish uniform can make a world of difference, with the power to leave a strong brand impression. It can also improve employees attitude towards their job.
Uniforms are often overlooked as a critical brand touchpoint and are frequently left to the last minute. However, a rebrand is a fantastic opportunity to re-engage staff with the brand and foster a sense of belonging that has been proven to impact performance. What you wear at work can say who you are, what you’re about, and where your company is going. Download our popular Uniform Design Brief workbook to create the ultimate uniform brief.
Given the time it takes to design and manufacture a uniform range, it’s worth getting started as early as possible. It’s important to work with an experienced supplier that is experienced in not only delivering uniforms but also the logistics, quality control and embellishment that contribute to a successful rollout.
Understanding your brief, the market sector you operate in, your competitors, your target market, and the physical working environment is imperative to achieving the best solutions for your budget.
Uniforms in a rebrand
Here are some tips to consider when planning your new uniform program:
- Consider the different body shapes of your employees - you want the uniform to fit well on everyone.
- Create a uniform that is consistent with your existing brand, but not overwhelming. Try to stick to three colours or less. Remember that while your corporate branding might be really bright and vibrant, it may not look good worn against a range of skin tones.
- Have flexible options with the basics that make up your uniform. Take bottoms for example, allow staff to choose from a few styles of pants or skirts to ensure the style is the most complimentary to their body shape. This allows employees to have some control over what they wear so they feel more confident.
- Ensure garments can be altered or custom ordered for that perfect fit.
- Give your team members an opportunity to get fitted or try on size samples before ordering. This will decrease the chance of ill-fitting or wrong sizing being ordered – which may impact costs and lead times.
- Be prepared – think about what you want your company to achieve, and how your team should dress to reflect this.
- Think about the activities your staff will be performing in their uniforms, and choose garments and fabric that will support that.
- Consider accessories. Would belts, ties and pocket squares, scarves, cufflinks or shoes help to complete the look?
- How will your staff be identified to customers? For example, will your customer service team need name badges?
- Promotional apparel – Do you need additional items, such as promotional polo shirts or printed t-shirts to support your brand launch?
- Promotional products – When undergoing a company rebrand, consider how you can use promotional items to communicate and reinforce your brand promise.
Choosing the right uniform provider
Another area of uniform procurement that is important, but easily overlooked, is stock forecasting and management. A uniform supplier that is experienced with larger-scale projects should be able to:
- demonstrate their forecasting tool
- make recommendations for minimum order quantities
- indicate lead times
- predict product lifespan based on expected usage
- advise appropriate stock levels
- demonstrate brand and product launch expertise
- offer promotional items as well as branded clothing
- provide an online ordering portal to streamline the ordering process.
Leveraging technology
Accurate stock level forecasting is important, as it can minimise both cost and lead time, and ensuring items are in stock, in the right sizes, when you need them, is a key service requirement.
Engaging a uniform supplier can be a lengthy process. The time and energy you invest in procuring them, should pay off over the next several years and beyond. Work with a uniform provider that not only offers superior quality but uses technology in a way that is going to save you time, money and stress.
What's your launch strategy?
For any company considering a rebrand, the uniform is an opportunity to instantly distinguish your brand in the marketplace.
Your team's clothing items offer a cost-effective marketing and brand strategy, designed to create a memorable brand image. New uniforms are the finishing touch that brings together a company's image. Elevate your brand, engage your staff and refresh your corporate look for the next few years.
For more information, or to schedule a Uniform Style Consultation, please call us on 1300UNIFORM or email us on hello@uniform.com.au.