The following is an excerpt from Sharprint's popular guide "Creating a Remarkable Uniform Program: What to Expect from a Uniform Provider". For more expert tips on creating a remarkable uniform program for your business, be sure to check out the full guide.

For businesses operating a customer-facing workforce, an employee’s uniform is often the first and most frequent interaction a customer can have with a brand. Since a brand’s identity is the anchor for customer perception about a company, a positive experience associated with a product or service and a brand will lead to satisfied customers and repeat business.

Not only can uniforms contribute to customer retention, a strong uniform program can help retain top employees as well. Companies that employ individuals who deem the uniforms to be unattractive or uncomfortable experience a higher rate of turnover. Higher turnover means an increased cost of hiring and recruitment. It is also important to note, employees with occupation specific uniforms are also better able to perform their job functions.

Consultation

A consultation with a potential uniform provider is the very first step in developing or establishing a uniform program. It’s important that the uniform provider is a good match for your company’s needs.

A good provider wants to understand your brand and your ideas on what should be communicated through the uniforms. To do this, discuss the look and feel of your brand. Maybe you already have ideas about what you would like to see in a uniform program. Communicating any thoughts, concepts, or inclinations during the initial conversations can make the process go more quickly. 

Presentation

Based on the information discussed during the consultation, the potential uniform provider will put together a presentation to illustrate the entire uniform program. The illustration boards can be physically delivered, digital copies can be emailed, or a representative may present the boards in person.

The presentation boards should communicate the look and feel of your brand and specify garment styles along with the appropriate decoration for each piece and every piece to be included in your program. 

Program Planning 

While the prototypes are being created, it’s time to finalize the logistics of how the program will be set up and run. Your uniform program provider will walk you through the process to select best options based on your company’s needs and budget.

Program Operation 

Your prototypes have been approved and pricing has been confirmed. You and the uniform provider have planned out how orders will be placed, packaged and shipped. Now is the time submit your PO and give the entire system a run through. If you are working with a new uniform provider, be sure to discuss any aspects of the system that could be improved and any aspects that are working really well.

The Right Uniform Provider

It’s undeniable that a solid uniform program offers a number of benefits including reinforcement of brand awareness, increased customer loyalty, increased employee productivity, and reduced turnover. A uniform provider that understands your company’s needs with the ability to make the process easy and cost effective is crucial. A good understanding of the uniform program process and scope of what a uniform provider can do for you will ensure that you are leveraging your uniform program to its fullest extent.

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