Tapati0

Business Development Manager

Dressing too nice for client meetings

I went from working in an industry where wearing a suit to meetings was the norm to an industry where wearing a button up shirt almost feels too formal. I had a meeting recently with a current customer who remarked, "look at this guy all dressed up." because I showed up in dress pants and a white button up shirt. has anyone else felt like over dressing for their meetings has hurt them at all? in my current industry I feel like I might be coming off as a snob because I don't wear tattered pants and a shitty polo.

🧠 Advice

34 comments

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Kinonez

Celebrated Contributor

War Room Enthusiast

Always keep in mind, It's way better to over dress than under dress!

uncorpse

Politicker

Sales Development

It's worth the little time invest and looking nice is not going to hurt for sure!

Kinonez

Celebrated Contributor

War Room Enthusiast

Oh yeah, it will give a good impresion all the time!

cw95

Politicker

Sales Development Lead

I upvoted as I do agree, but wouldn't you say it depends on the type of company? I once turned up at a really chilled out, relaxed, retail company in a suit and they just wore whatever they wanted and I was the odd one out. Since then I tend to google images of the company to find team outings etc to see what you should wear - also, look at LinkedIn profiles to see how they dress?

I haven't got much experience in this due to covid but that's just what I have gone through.

Kinonez

Celebrated Contributor

War Room Enthusiast

A bit, but even when you over dress it’s not negative. I have been to interviews where everyone is using a T-shirt and I went with a suit and sure, they laughed at how “over achiever” I was but it’s still positive. I still got the job and after a couple of weeks started to drop the tie, but would always dress to the part. Even when no one else did.

Corpslovechild

Politicker

Inbound Sales Manager

I think you should dress the part but have a nice fuck you watch.

DungeonsNDemos

Big Shot

Rolling 20's all day

this is not a bad strategy

Tapati0

Opinionated

Business Development Manager

Love this suggestion

plssircanigetanotherpo

Executive

When someone said, "look at this guy all dressed up". Just say, "i'm doing it for you because you're important". Smile and break the ice. I've never lost a deal coz of my suit, but unless you're Will Smith in Pursuit of Happyness, chances of you closing a deal without shoes are very slim.

inboundsalesrep

Politicker

SDR

I think it really depends on the environment and industry you sell into. Also, I have seen people have been way more casual since Covid because everyone was on zoom calls and hardly dressed up

jefe

Arsonist

🍁

Really depends on industry/environment.

UserNotFound

Politicker

Account Executive

If you were a buyer of your product, would you feel comfortable buying from someone who presented themselves as 'better' than you? We all know that's not what the intention is, but depending on what you're selling, it could certainly come off that way. Make them comfortable and dress in a way that reflects your customer.

Tapati0

Opinionated

Business Development Manager

Definitely agree with you here! Starting to get more positive conversations when I show up in khakis and a Company polo. Just feels so weird coming from wearing a suit everyday.

youKNOW

Politicker

Sales Manager

I work with engineers and buyers on a daily basis. Most big tech companies have gone the route of jeans and polos. So I see a lot of the white New Balances, Levis, and company Polo. I still will wear dress pants or khakis and a button down to meetings with them. Ultimately, I think it's good to be slightly overdressed vs trying to match what you think the culture at whatever company it is, will accept. When you look good, you feel good, and when you feel good...YOU SELL.

RaymundoFlex

Opinionated

Get some carhatt-sequel tan pants and stick to more casual button downs - flannel patterns, not white or blue plain. this is what I did selling in construction

AnchorPoint

Politicker

Business Coach

I have rarely, if ever, heard of over dressing being a negative. In fact, you could make it your trademark. I would rather stand out for looking good as opposed to blending in looking "tattered".

User1234567

Politicker

User1234567

you can never over dress just under

GDO

Politicker

BDM

I always try to be a camelion and dress slightly better than the customer.

CaneWolf

Politicker

Call me what you want, just sign the damn contract

My first deal I ever closed I showed up in a suit with my boss and a SC and they had team members in shorts. I find it typically doesn't hurt. But I'll also just straight up ask what's appropriate for people's offices when I come visit. "Hey, I don't want to be overdressed or underdressed for your office. What's appropriate attire?"

RealEstateVeep

Politicker

VP of Real Estate

Absolutely, this is back when I sold insurance and I worked for a big broker. My boss at the time INSISTED upon suits and ties even for this tech startup. I said chinos, a shirt and jacket should be sufficient for the image our brokerage tried to portray while also not overdoing it. Well we were suited and booted, and the CFO came in in total tech gear, jeans, sandals and a t shirt and just said he didn't feel like we were seeing eye to eye. We looked like we belonged on Wall Street, this company was seeking to disrupt Wall Street.

DungeonsNDemos

Big Shot

Rolling 20's all day

hah, what a powermove. Your CFO at least understood the company's positioning. I hate when you have people above you that care about the shit that doesn't matter, while forgetting to care about the shit that actually DOES.

RealEstateVeep

Politicker

VP of Real Estate

Sorry - the prospect's CFO attending the meeting that way. My manager attended the meeting in Brooks Brothers and a Rolex (way out of touch).

Back half of your post, spot on. My knowledge of insurance and my ability to offer adequate protection is not dependent on whether I wear a suit or a sweatshirt.

Mojo

Member

Director of Sales

I once went into a meeting with the managing partner of a major law firm. Showed up to his office suited up ready to pitch him...his admin shows me into the office and he's in jeans and a flannel. The meeting only went downhill from there (mostly because that threw me off my game).

DungeonsNDemos

Big Shot

Rolling 20's all day

I dressed up nicely for a presentation a few weeks back and when all the division heads started coming in the room, most were dressed more business casual. So to help fit the crowd, I simply left my jacket on my chair so I wasn't overdressed.

AlphaCharlie

Arsonist

Account executive

Just put on whatever makes you feel more comfortable, if you are overdressing don'tmind it at all.

justatopproducer

Politicker

VP OF SALES -US

Great question, curious how this works for interviews also? Currently in B2B and have been in a few interviews with some softeare companies. Im in a suit on the virtual meeting, while interviewers are wearing baseball caps and t-shirts? I could care less what they wear, but I don’t want them to feel threatened of me by overdressing.

Tapati0

Opinionated

Business Development Manager

I was told by one of the hiring managers at my current company that part of the reason I got the job was because I showed up to the zoom interview in a suit and tie. She told me no one else even bothered with a suit.

alecabral

Arsonist

Director - Digital Sales Transformation

Yep, been there. Happened when I was new to an industry and market segment. No big deal really, I just adapted and got a new outfit!

Ozz

Politicker

Account Executive

What industry do you sell to?

Tapati0

Opinionated

Business Development Manager

I guess technically the construction industry. I work with a lot of mom and pop kitchen and bath stores trying to get them to sell our cabinets.

JuicyKlay

Celebrated Contributor

Totally can relate here! I dressed down in my mind for my first few client meetings (think Jcrew model) and everyone looked at me like I was wearing a tux to a pool party.

SADNES5

Politicker

down voters are marketing spies

Advice for you. Don't wear a white button down ever. Unless you're in a tux or know 100% certain what others are dressing.

Wear something with a pattern, or colours that pop. This way, on your way in, take off tie, drape jacket/blazer on chair, unbutton 1-2 buttons. Roll up sleeves. You've gone from boardroom to parking lot beers in less than a minute.

You can always dress down, but never up.

I have extra ties/pocket squares/shoe polish in my office, car, travel bag. I also have a spare blazer + fun dress shirt in office for the time I go in with a t-shirt on, and impromptu client visit happens.

Beans

Big Shot

Enterprise Account Executive

Curious about the industry shift?

Tapati0

Opinionated

Business Development Manager

I used to work in the office furniture/supply industry but am currently working in the kitchen and bath/building products industry. I’m still surprised at how some of these kitchen and bath stores portray themselves.

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Tapati0

Dressing too nice for client meetings

34 comments

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