If most of us are ashamed of shabby clothes and shoddy furniture, let us be more ashamed of shabby ideas and shoddy philosophies…. It would be a sad situation if the wrapper were better than the meat wrapped inside it. - Albert Einstein
Yes, certainly the meat is important. But today we are living in a world of branding, packaging and presentation. Imagine yourself heading a multinational bank and you are supposed to interview a sales manager. The door knocks and you see a ludicrous applicant, hair purple streaked, eyes pierced and skin tattooed (wherever visible).
Chances are, that most likely, that he will not make it for the job. Is this pertinent everywhere? “It depends what you are selling.” Piyush confirms candidly. Such a code is NA (not applicable) in the creative entertainment division, correct? Following a news item that newly elected American president Barrack H Obama has formally announced a shift in dress code from strict formals to business casuals during the weekend in The White House. So the richest country of the world housing the biggest corporates, getting easy the way they do business? We can discuss, surely!
It has been seen as a part of a growing trend that workplaces and dress codes associated with it have become relaxed in a whole. Why this change? Latest surveys reveal that casual dressing can boost productivity somehow. However there are persistent debates surrounding the whole idea between casual Vs formal. Some feel that a nonchalant way of dress is how you carry yourself and work.
Reynold however has decided to do things differently. “I have to first believe in myself and the product I sell. And If I think that I am and my product is different, my attire needs to look different also.” And why not? At Pepsi, Amex, GM have asked their employees to chill a little and encouraged casuals at work. Not just the FMCG sector, big multinational investment banks like Morgan Stanley, JP Morgan and Goldman Sachs have also introduced casual wear at work. Not to miss the bus, some time back Levis Strauss issued a ‘Guide to Casual Business Wear’ to nearly 30,000 HR managers across the US.
So, I am still wondering if wearing casuals affect productivity in any case? Dressing will never make you more productive, you will remain the same guy. Clean clothings will never be out of fashion. What perhaps matter is the attitude towards work and your belief in what you sell. A dress will only make you look and act professional and a tremendous image building tool in people’s eye.
Be careless in your dress if you must, but keep a tidy soul.
By Mark Twain
Saturday, 21. February 2009
Interesting one..
Sunday, 22. February 2009
hmm!
Thursday, 26. February 2009
Purple streaks? To be honest, i think i would love it because purple is about calm, creativity, thinking space and all that but yes, i get your point too.
I think Reynold’s dressing formula makes sense in the context of his personality versus the product or brand he wants to promote. Dressing up is not the issue. How you are perceived in the context of representing an organization, a corporate entity or a brand is important.
For example, in the Indian publishing segment, if you are planning to attend an award function, you always dress in a way that goes in sync with what your publishing brand stands for. This means BORING. It means you can’t wear a casual T-shirt or jeans with sneakers or show off purple hair.
But if it is a book bash meaning when a book crosses sales target, then you can wear your slinky black dress coz these events are usually in a hub or whatever. Image building is definitely a component when you want to be perceived in a particular way.
Wearing casuals doesnt really affect productivity but just gets people relaxed and bond better with each other. I think its relevant for corporates because all the time they are uptight about wearing the right things, colors and brands so it makes sense to just let go and be casual at least for a day.