of suits and sealing wax

Nik Jul 17

It’s often interesting to note the attitude displayed towards me as young guy who doesn’t wear a suit to work as a matter of principle.

It’s scary, in fact, to realise just how much of an impact our outward appearance has on business and everyday dealings (and hey, time and a shopping trip would “fix” my problems…)

  • We couldn’t possible be in the market for expensive laptops at a high-end store
  • I was asked if I need help while waiting in ANZ’s airport-departure-lounge branch. When I said I was interested in business banking (I was holding the brochure) the customer service person told me – “No, you should be looking at this one”, whilst handing me their more standard “student” fodder.
  • “Your technical skills are great, but we’re looking for people with X years of project experience”, a.k.a “You are too young”.

I think the world should be more afraid of the people who can choose what they wear – because they own the company.

what other people thought

p.s The title is a misquote from one of my favorite poems, The Walrus and The Carpenter

Nik, July 17th, 2008 at 3:12 pm

I agree bro, far too often have I too been lumped into the “too young” basket…

James, July 17th, 2008 at 3:23 pm

Well, its true you should learn to face the facts — You (me/we) are young and no matter what rocket science you are doing; you are still going to be put in a “young basket” by the people in “older basket”. You or anyone else can’t do anything about it really. I have also noticed it is also about the attitude, seen many tiny little guys (even me?) with massive ego and attitude of super hero? Now thats scary.

shoaib, July 17th, 2008 at 4:32 pm

You’d hardly call Apple a “high-end store”; 90% of their clients would be dressed like you.
Also you and Ollie obviously think it makes a difference…
http://tinyurl.com/67ewf8
http://tinyurl.com/6k9276
Its always a personal choice, and don’t think that sales training doesn’t start with the story of the rough-dressed guy buying the Ferrari, cause it does. Everyone is fair game in a sales environment.
As far as youth is concerned I suppose you have a point – perhaps why most of you are behind the best internet start-ups (although you’re not afraid of adding your photos are you?).

Bill, July 17th, 2008 at 5:54 pm

1. Banks are idiots. You’re damned if you do and you’re damned if you don’t – When I was starting out and had negative money, they treated me like crap. Now I have money, they still treat me like crap – 4 years in business and they still look at you like you’re a scam artist. You will get used to it and just plot the day you have so much they’ll miss you when you say ‘I’m leaving you’.
3. Magnum Mac have been awesome to me! I went in 2 days ago to get a new comp, not only did Simon sort out Flexirent (who were causing me problems), he dropped me and my computer off at work. I think I was wearing jeans that day. :)
3. In my experience as a young female business owner, you get massive numbers of incidents where people treat you like an idiot. The best way is not to dress to impress, but to shock them with your intelligence. Calmly explain the answer to a question or explain to them why they’re on the wrong track on something. Instant respect.

:)

Natalie Ferguson, July 19th, 2008 at 1:46 pm

Nik you’ve gone a lot further in your career already than that ANZ CS person, so s/he and people like her are the ones that need to be guided. As Natalie points out treating them with respect and allowing them to slowly realise that you are serious is the right way to go.

On the other hand I’m often out the door long before that can happen, but I am astonished at how often CS staff do actually get it right.

lance, July 21st, 2008 at 6:14 pm

People with that attitude don’t just discriminate against the young. Anyone outside their perception can get the same treatment.

Terry, August 1st, 2008 at 9:51 am

have your say