WHAT TO WEAR IN THE COMMERCIAL SALES ENVIRONMENT

What you wear to a commercial sales meeting is just as important as your interview outfit. Keep in mind that you cannot simply put on your favorite pair of ripped jeans and depend on your brainpower or experience to make a good impression. 

Whether you are attending a sales meeting with your employer or a client that you want to impress, it’s always crucial to dress for success. There are many things to worry about when it comes to sales meetings. This is because you only get one opportunity to make a good first impression, and what you wear certainly has a lot to do with the overall impression you create.

You should know that style is a language. The clothing you wear speaks tones about you long before you even open your mouth. In today’s competitive and dynamic working world, it is best to keep your appearance and impress your clients and prospects by dressing appropriately.

Dress Like Your Prospect

Wear what your prospect will be wearing. You should attract the kind of people you want to work with. This is why the first thing that you have to keep in mind is your prospect or customer. Keep in mind that if you go to a place where you’ve dressed like the professionals you are visiting, they are more likely to trust and connect with you in a better way. 

For example, if you want to work with a facilities manager, you should dress like him and ideally be nicer and more professional when selling. This will ensure that you are not spoken down to. However, you should not be condescending at the same time. So, dress with a little edge and be more polished than the person you are meeting.

If you’re meeting a customer who is a little laid back, you may dress casually rather than going over the top. In contrast, if you are headed to a corporation or office to make a sale, it is better to dress formally so that they take you seriously. 

Dress a Few Notches Up from Your Prospects

The key to your sales pitch is connecting with your audience. You would like to be somebody who, quite simply, the target audience likes too much to disappoint. A good rule is that salespeople should dress equal to or slightly above what their customer or prospect is wearing.

For example, if you are dealing or meeting with a very sharp regional vice president, know that they will be dressed very professionally most of the time. To get respect from them, you need to be dressed at that level. 

While a salesperson should look friendly and approachable, they should also have some authority in the sense that they have something that potential customers or prospects currently lack but need. So, you should dress a little better than the individuals you are selling to. For instance, if you are selling to people in suits, you should preferably be in a suit.  

Note that you will not get very far if you underdress, particularly dealing with high-profile corporate clients. However, if you are dressed too well, it may create an unhelpful dynamic, so keep these nuances in mind.

Do not Look Pushy

Power ties, sharply-silhouetted suits, and ostentatious cufflinks can make people think you are rude or condescending before you can get the chance to open your mouth. Another rule is to dress like someone your prospects would go to for advice. 

Dressing for Success

This means that your dressing can increase your credibility as a seller. Keep in mind that 55% of communication is non-verbal. This is why small details, like how your hair or watch looks, make a lot of difference. This is because you are sending a message. 

The right dressing helps build trust and confidence so that your employer and prospects can rely on you. Look like an expert who has been down that path before and understands the situation. Be someone who stands out and commands respect, and adds value.

Final Thoughts

When you are well dressed, confidence will ooze naturally. To earn more respect and create and win relationships, dress a little better, and you will close more deals.