If you put the words courier and couture together and come up with what seems to be an oxymoron; try again (or at least be a little open-minded). Most couriers are in fact the face of the company they represent, and in the case of owner-drivers this can be more important than it may seem. Even though you are in an occupation which can sometimes be physical, that doesn’t mean you should let your presentation lapse; and this applies to both you, and your van.

The Man
The two main factors when choosing what, in effect, will become your ‘courier uniform’ are comfort and durability. There’s no point looking like you’ve stepped out of the pages of a catalogue if you can’t lift your arms above your head, or if you split your pants when you bend over for the twentieth time that day.

In summer, look for natural fabrics like cottons that ‘breathe’, or some of the new high-tech synthetics which effectively draw moisture away from the body. In winter, invest in some thermal clothing which insulates you against the cold as you will probably be in and out of the courier van many times a day. You won’t want to be putting a coat on and off every hour, so a good-quality fleece is a perfect alternative; warm, and smart as well. Choose items of clothing that wash and dry easily as they will probably need a quick turnaround unless you can afford one for every day of the week. Accessories such as a cap or a fleece are a perfect ‘silent salesperson’ and having your logo or insignia on them can help effectively brand your company in clients’ minds.

As well as your clothing, footwear should be a strong consideration when choosing your courier uniform. Scruffy footwear will let down your appearance in the worst possible way and traipsing muddy work boots through a client’s offices will not win you any popularity contests. Remember, in many cases it is the receptionist who books the courier, so impress her and you may well have a client for life.

The Van
Whether you can afford a brand new top-of-the-range new model or have to settle for a pre-loved vehicle, there’s no excuse for a dirty courier van so, first things first – always keep your van clean inside and out. Housekeeping aside, there is another way of making your van send out the right message to clients and potential clients. There are countless white courier vans on the road so why not stand out from the crowd with a customised paint-job? Even if you can’t quite bring yourself to drive around in a pink fluorescent van, at the very least, invest in a professional sign writer to create an eye-catching design for the side panels or bonnet. Don’t forget the back doors as well as this is prime advertising space during traffic jams.

A smart looking, clean courier van is not only more comfortable for you, the driver, but will convey to your clients that your pride in the appearance of the van reflects the way you conduct your business.

Author Bio: Norman Dulwich is a correspondent for Courier Exchange, the world’s largest neutral trading hub for the Sameday courier and express freight exchange industry. Over 2,500 transport exchange businesses are networked together through their website, trading courier services and capacity in a safe ‘wholesale’ environment.

Category: Automotive
Keywords: courier