Suits on Sales

[Ron Van D]

I thought "Suits on Sales" was about someone getting sued for selling something!

 

[scagnt83]

eBay has suits? Pretty good ones?

Yeah you can find brand new with the tags hugo boss, zegna, armani, kiton, ralph lauren, brioni, ricci, tom ford, etc. suits for half off.

You just have to be careful to buy from a reputable seller who has a good rating. And never buy from a seller in asia, its almost guaranteed to be a fake!

 

[xrac]

If you work for Allstate you want to be sure to take advantage of the suit sale. Wouldn't you just love working for them. This is a quote from the Runningclock:

This just in....effective March 1, 2010 the Ideal Agency Dress Code will go into force.

Monday-Thursday will be dark suites for men along with a light blue shirt and Allstate issued tie with the Allstate logo on it. Black shoes- laced only (shoes should be shined weekly). Women will wear a light blue blouse with dark blue pants and black slip on shoes- no heels over 1.5". On Fridays you may wear an optional Allstate issue blue short sleeved shirt with khacki slacks and brown slip on shoes with a brown belt. On days when the your local outside temperature is expected to fall below 70 degrees you may compliment the Allstate approved shirt with an Allstate sweater or opt for a long sleeve Allstate approved shirt. Also, Allstate approved name badges must be worn during normal business hours (see the Agency Standards manuals for clarifications on badge shape, shape and placement requirements).

At this time we are also reviewing potential standards for what type of accessories and jewelry should be permissible. Rest assured once the determinations have been made they will be communicated to you through your field sales leaders.

 

[scagnt83]

If you work for Allstate you want to be sure to take advantage of the suit sale. Wouldn't you just love working for them. This is a quote from the Runningclock:

Good lord!!
Next they will be dictating what color underwear you have to have!
Or is that already allstate blue?? lol

 

[peopleperson]

If you work for Allstate you want to be sure to take advantage of the suit sale. Wouldn't you just love working for them. This is a quote from the Runningclock:

No first hand knowledge, but I think prisoners have more rights...

 

[arnguy]

IBM sales people had to conform to a dress code, but they were being easily confused with FBI agents during the J. Edgar Hoover era, i.e., white shirts, dark suits, solid ties, black shoes and socks, and white underwear,

 

[ksigmtsu]

Allstate sounds like my kids school. I bet that lifts their spirits! I love being dictated a dress code!

 

[Josh]

Regarding dress, image matters. If your competition looks professional and you don't, you're at the disadvantage. If you look professional and your competition doesn't, you have the advantage.

Professional image is part of the mix, just like sales/marketing skills, product knowledge, presentation prowess, and (most of all) effort.

If you don't put 100% into all of it, you have no one but yourself to blame.

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Depending the type of sale a suit can be overkill. I can't tell you how many MA-PD's I've sold in jeans and a sweater. Come in with a suit and no one talks to you because they think you're a cop, and they don't like cops in some of those neighborhoods that are AWESOME for the dual-eligible plans.

 

[catowned]

If you are in women's sizes Lane Bryant always sends coupons with their catalog. Their FB page updates with good sales too. If you have relatives in different parts of the country, have them sign up for their catalog too and they can mail you the coupons. My Aunt and I are in different states and I get better coupons.

 

[Mac1958]

Depending the type of sale a suit can be overkill. I can't tell you how many MA-PD's I've sold in jeans and a sweater. Come in with a suit and no one talks to you because they think you're a cop, and they don't like cops in some of those neighborhoods that are AWESOME for the dual-eligible plans.

Yeah, fair point, can't argue. It's probably fair to say that it depends on the products and the target market. If you're selling standard health insurance, MA's, supplemental, etc., you can probably get away with fairly casual dress, as long as you're neat and appropriate.

If, however, you're going after higher-end markets (and that's essentially what I had in mind), I think the rules change. If you're speaking with business owners, higher net-worth individuals, annuity prospects, people whose concerns include legacies and wealth, you need to look the part, because you have to consider your competition.

Geography can also play a part, as there are plenty of wealthy ranchers and farmers out there, and a Brooks Brothers suit may be overkill!

My point is that the way we present ourselves can be a critical part of the mix. I've seen many agents who simply look sloppy and unprofessional, as if they've convinced themselves that image does not matter, as if they don't realize the prospect is speaking with other agents. I don't blame a serious prospect if they don't give these agents much consideration.

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