How The Top Uniform Companies Navigate Remote Work

The COVID-19 pandemic brought unprecedented challenges for businesses around the world, and the uniform industry was no exception.

We might even argue that the uniform industry was affected more because of mass shutdowns of businesses. If employees in uniforms weren't working, they didn't need new uniforms.

With remote work becoming more normal, companies had to quickly adapt to meet the changing needs of their customers. To stay ahead of the competition, top uniform companies embraced innovation and reimagined their business models.

In this article, we will explore how top uniform companies navigate the challenges of remote work. We've seen them do four things specifically. They reimagined their company culture, became more than just a vendor, modernized their product line, and enhanced their customer experience.

Leading by example by reimagining company culture

The COVID-19 pandemic was a wake-up call for businesses across the world. All businesses were forced to rapidly adapt to the challenges and benefits of a remote work environment.

Top uniform companies were no exception. But it was challenging at first due to the work they do. Imagine not being able to serve customers in person because businesses were shut down. Uniform companies weren't able to deliver new orders. They certainly weren't helping new hires get properly fitted in person.

But they were still able to market and sell. If they were recognized as "essential", their operations continued to run. This provided an opportunity to trial some remote work options.

Roles in Marketing, Sales, or other administrative roles were easily able to adapt to remote work. Instead of having to deal with potential layoffs, leadership offered a new culture of trust. They enabled their teams to work from wherever was most convenient, improving employee wellness.

Because of the fear of the unknown, prioritizing employee wellbeing became a top priority. To address possible burnout, they encouraged work-life balance, offered flexible work hours, and created supportive work environments that accommodated remote work. Regular check-ins and access to mental health resources helped employees feel valued and connected, even while working from home.

All these steps, like so many businesses have also taken, led to greater partnerships with customers.

Becoming a partner instead of a vendor

Top uniform companies understand that building strong partnerships with their customers is essential for long-term success. They go beyond simply providing products by offering valuable consultation services that help customers optimize their uniform programs.

These services may include conducting on-site evaluations, providing expert advice on fabric selection and design, and recommending cost-effective solutions. By taking the time to understand their customers' unique needs and challenges, top uniform companies become trusted partners that help businesses achieve their goals.

In addition to consultation services, top uniform companies also offer flexible terms and conditions to accommodate the varying needs of their customers. They understand that businesses have different budgetary constraints and seasonal fluctuations, and they are willing to work collaboratively to find solutions that meet everyone's needs.

Top uniform companies also now invest in robust customer relationship management (CRM) systems. Such systems enhance the customer experience and foster stronger relationships. These systems enable companies to track customer interactions, preferences, and purchase history, making sure that every customer receives personalized attention and recommendations.

Finally, top uniform companies prioritize customer feedback and continuously seek ways to improve their products and services. They conduct regular customer surveys, solicit feedback through various channels, and actively listen to customer concerns.

All of the mentioned tools and strategies are easy to implement in a remote work environment.

Modernizing their product line

Another key way that top uniform companies are navigating remote work is by modernizing their product line. This involves a few key strategies:

Understanding buyer preferences

Just because uniform companies have been able to integrate remote work doesn't mean that everyone has. There are still employees that must be in the field to be "on the job".

And while safety is a top concern for uniform companies, functionality is also. Top uniform companies can update their products to better fit market demand while still providing safe workwear.

And for those employees that can work remotely, there are still offerings that allow them to dress as part of the team.

Using eco-friendly materials

This factor plays into strengthening the bonds between businesses and their teams. Sustainability is no longer just a buzzword but a necessity. Top uniform companies are taking the lead in adopting eco-friendly materials and production practices.

By using recycled fabrics, organic cotton, and biodegradable packaging, they are minimizing their environmental footprint and appealing to environmentally conscious consumers. These points support the development of a modern workplace culture.

Enhancing customer experience

Providing an exceptional customer experience is paramount to the success of any company.

But are customer needs changing too quickly for businesses to adapt?

An Accenture report found that 88% of executives believe that customers and employees are changing faster than they can change their business.

While we can't address all businesses or industries, we can cover how the top uniform companies solve for the customer.

One key strategy they employ is offering virtual consultations and fitting services. By leveraging technology, these companies provide customers with convenient and personalized advice from the comfort of their homes or offices.

Uniform company employees can walk customer employees through the various stages of setting up their uniform program, all thanks to remote work. Read our article here to learn more about the main steps to setting up a uniform program.

To further enhance the customer experience, top uniform companies have introduced a try-before-you-buy program. This allows customers to sample different uniform options before committing to a purchase. This program not only instills confidence in customers' choices but also reduces the likelihood of returns, streamlining the purchasing process.

Beyond the try-before-you-buy programs, online shopping is the latest trend, even for your workwear. Top uniform companies are building free, private online stores to make it even easier to buy work uniforms.

Employees can order for themselves and ship their order directly to their house. This not only saves administrative work for your staff, but also keeps your buildings clear of employees and their uniform orders. Here's our article that highlights must-haves for your uniform store so you know you're doing it right.

Through these customer-centric initiatives, top uniform companies are setting new standards in an era of remote work. Uniform companies that struggle to implement these changes will quickly fall behind.

Does your current uniform company operate this way? If you're looking for a new uniform company, consider these factors to find the best one for you and your business.