Do you wear your company polo T-shirt?

I had an exciting, totally unexpected, networking experience today which reminded me “the power of polo T-shirts”. 

It started already during a breakfast in a hotel in lovely Torino when a guy approached me with “I see you are also from GE Aviation” intro (it is not a standard GE pick-up line … ). I assume it was because I was wearing a T-shirt with GE Aviation logo. We did chat for few minutes which was perfectly enough to exchange the latest and greatest news from his and mine product lines. Plus we realized we had quite a few colleagues in common although this guy was based in the States while I am in Europe. Not a bad start of the day.

The same thing happen in Rome when I was waiting for a connecting flight in the lounge later that day. “I noticed you’re also from GE” (it really is not a standard GE pick-up line … trust me). Different GE business, Oil & Gas vs Aviation, however, we do face almost identical challenges and initiatives so really awesome discussion and catch up on what's happening in our part of the universe.

And finally, when almost home, the “Excuse me, do you work for GE Aviation? By any chance, ATP program?” (see – it really is not GE pick-up line) was the welcome note at Prague airport. That gentleman represented a supplier already supplying to GE Aviation in the States, just could not find the right contact to have a conversation over new opportunities which ATP project brings. Exchanged the cards and will meet next week.

I have to admit I do not wear GE branded polo T-shirts purposely – I just do not have any equally comfortable and socially recognized & acceptable alternatives when traveling or when a formal dress code is not required. All other T-shirts I have are either for running, biking or races like Spartans or T-shirts that my wife does not even allow me to sleep in. So I keep my company branded cloths from various exhibitions, airshows, project kick offs or celebration. Besides, not a bad thing to clearly show what gang I am part of.

I do recognize some hotels (typically classic US chains not to name any particular one) and some airports (typically US based) attract and accumulate more branded polo T-shirts than the others but that does not kill the point. The point is that the company logo on your T-shirt opens the doors. It opens the conversations. Conversations open opportunities. External ones and, equally important, internal ones too. For example, informal chat about your program might attract an internal resource that has skills and attitude you desperately need while he or she is open for a new gig but has no clue about your project. 

And yes, in the light of global security threats, there are countries where you do not want to necessary indicate who you are and what company you work for but luckily we still live in the world where a vast majority of countries are safe for company branded wear and for all the creative “pick up lines” you can think off.

Keep in mind, this works both ways … do you see a company name or logo which makes you want to talk to a person having it on her/his chest? Don’t be a stranger and throw out your pick-up line like a Networking Jedi.

How about you – proud to wear your company polo T-shirt?