Why Professional Appearance Is So Important

Your landscaping is immaculate on your property. Your office and your staff offices are clutter free and welcoming. The chairs and sofas in your clubhouse are comfortable and stain free. Perhaps a batch of fresh-baked cookies sits in the reception area. Everything is in its place – right?

Not quite.

What about your employees? Is their appearance that of a professional; or against the pristine backdrop of your property management office do they stand out like a sore thumb? Remember, while the condition of your property is important, your employees are the face of your business, and typically the first thing that applicants and visitors really see. Are they projecting the image that you want, or has casual Friday become casual everyday? There could be several reasons why your employees are dressing the way they are. Have you explained the dress code to them? Do you have a dress code? Do you come to the office casually dressed and they simply follow your lead?

If your employees are dressing down a little too often, here are some suggestions that may make it easier to present a professional appearance:

• Make a list of the items that are off limits in the office and present it to all new and current employees. The list should include halter tops, crop tops, t-shirts, shorts, sweat pants, workout clothes, flip-flops, and running/athletic shoes.
• Once employees are aware of the dress code, be sure to enforce any violations. If you make it clear that employees will not be allowed to work if they show up with unsuitable clothing – and stick to it, they are less likely to show up in unprofessional attire.
• Re-consider casual Fridays, if you have one right now. Many people are unsure of what ‘casual’ really means. Casual should still be professional; shorts and flip-flops are not professional.
• Consider implementing a uniform of sorts. A property management company in Albuquerque has all of their staff wear green polo shirts and black slacks. Providing a uniform takes the guess work out of what to wear, and helps ensure that all of your employees will look professional.

While we like to think that it’s our performance that matters, not our appearance, the fact is that property managers and leasing agents will be taken more seriously by tenants, applicants, and co-workers if they dress in a professional manner. While what constitutes professional attire may vary from region to region, what doesn’t change is that property management professionals should dress as professionals, and leave the flip-flops for the beach.