10 questions to ask your staff before introducing a corporate uniform
Implementing a corporate uniform for your company can be a significant investment. And the fear is often whether the team will embrace the concept and the designs chosen. A uniform is designed to build team moral, create confidence in the brand and give all staff members an opportunity to look their best. Often if staff are not consulted at the initial phase the end result can be one the staff are unhappy with. Getting their buy in up front is one of the best ways to ensure success at the rollout phase.
Before consulting the staff, it’s imperative Marketing and Human Resources departments are aligned and have set the parameter for the uniform garments. Firming up answers to questions internally, such as the below are imperative to ensure the brand is represented well:
- What is the intention of the uniform?
- What colours must it incorporate to compliment the brand?
- How many pieces of clothing will it include?
- Who will wear it and when?
- What is the budget?
- How will it be subsidised? Who will pay?
Once firms answers are locked in for the above, phase two can occur which is getting the staffs’ ‘buy in’ either through a questionnaire or focus groups.
Here are the top 10 questions to ask your staff to ascertain their thoughts and assist in making the best decision for the company uniform.
1. On a scale of 1–10 (1 being the lowest) how important are these five factors?
Comfort
Style and fit
Fashionable
Quality
Easy to look after
2. What accessories should be offered as part of the uniform (if any)?
3. For shirts, what fabric would you like to see them made in?
Natural fibre
Synthetic
Mixed fabric — synthetic mixed with natural fibres (eg cotton polyester blend)
4. For trousers, skirts, dresses and other buttons, what fabric would you like to see them made in?
Natural fibre (cotton or wool)
Full Synthetic
Mixed Fabric — wool and synthetic blend
5. In terms of performance how important is it that your garment is easy to iron — (on a scale of 1–5 with 5 being very important and 1 not important)
Circle one number below
1 2 3 4 5
6. What type of fitting process would you like to see? (choose one option)
A consultant from the uniform company comes to our office and you can try on the garments and sizes
A sample size is sent to you
Order off a measurement chart and guide
7. The new uniform is to represent the ‘insert your company name’ brand across all departments. What do you see as the number one message?
List here your core values to see what the staff think. For example:
Unity
Unique
Trust
Innovation
8. If you are wearing a uniform top and bottom once a week, what would be your expectation on how long it should last? Choose one option:
6 months
9 months
12 months
2 years
9. If you worked five days a week how many tops would be enough?
Two tops
Three tops
Five tops
10. If you worked five days a week how many bottoms would be enough?
Two tops
Three tops
Five tops
