Why Salon Management Courses Are Critical to Your Salon’s Success
Whoever manages your salon has to have their finger on the pulse of the entire business, not just a part of it. They need to be able to be pro-active as well as reactive, whether making sure there is enough traffic to keep the chairs full, or handling the desk or callbacks to customers to confirm appointments, or to move them when there is an emergency change in the schedule of a preferred stylist. Sadly, too many salon owners think being able to fantastically cut hair means a person has the business knowledge to run the salon, including hiring, releasing, and training staff, making sure the stylists are meeting their end of the agreements, that maintenance is done daily in the location, and that customer’s needs are kept in the forefront of everyone’s mind so the traffic (and profits) of the salon stay solid. Most stylists do not have the background in those kinds of tasks, but many who decide to step up can learn the skills necessary to successfully run a salon. A well-regarded salon management program can help them learn those skills and set them on the road to success.
2 Comments
Successful Salon and Spa Management Covers a Wide Range of Knowledge
Owning and operating a spa is a bit different than operating a straight salon. In most cases a salon deals with hair, nails, and skin, with perhaps microblading or has makeup artists on staff, hair weavers, or other specialty personnel. A spa generally lends itself to more body work overall – skin care specialists, massage therapists, reflexologists, salt rooms, body wraps, full service estheticians, hair removal ranging from lights, laser, and electrolysis, non-invasive body density work, and other services that are most often higher ticket, require specialized training, and are more pampering in nature. The type of salon or spa you desire opening or operating is up to you, but each one has a different level of managerial skills required. Since spas tend to lean into more full body and health opportunities, there are often additional health department regulations, licensing requirements, and other things that the manager needs to know about and handle. Salon Marketing is A Salon’s Lifeline Salons and spas are highly competitive, and marketing will make the difference in whether you succeed or fail in the business. This even applies to long-time established companies, because when stylists move or the business changes hands, many people may follow a stylist, and some people change salons. You need a constant supply of walk-in and attracted traffic to keep your salon profitable and the chairs full. There are a few basic marketing tools that are a must in today’s digital world, and those include a company website, a social media presence, and being present in Google My Business. Over 70% of all clients start their hunt for a service online, and 83% rely on what Google tells them are the top salons in an area with the services they are seeking. The percentage that do it on a mobile device rather than a laptop is even higher. Salon Ads – Same Old or New New?
Everyone in the beauty shop, hair salon, and day spa business have seen those itty-bitty tear out coupons for services that come in the local coupon book. The sad part is, they usually cannot tell you how effective that campaign has been to draw new customers into their shop, or just how many thousands were sent out and sat around in restaurants, other salons, and various discount grocery stores that went in the trash and were never picked up. Since few people really read a local newspaper any longer, there has to be other means to reaching out to your potential clients in order to build a clientele for your salon. One of the common methods when starting out is mailed out postcards offering new customers a substantial discount. While fairly cheap per unit cost, these cards still cost enough that it takes a lot of them being returned to break even on the expense. Industry magazines are not a great option when you are new in business, but posting coupons, flyers, and putting out cards in unexpected locations, such as your local community college and local gym may get you some new customers, especially if you are offering a great opening deal. There are ways to reach your potential customers more effectively, though, for less cost and a better return, and it is digital. Salon Training Must Include Support Staff
It does not matter what kind of business you contact, the first impression often becomes the turning point to whether you continue to make the effort to conduct business with a company. It used to be just how the customer was greeted when they arrived at a destination, which is why so many big box companies now employ “greeters” at their front doors, sometimes handing out carts or wipes when you enter. Other potential clients were making a judgment the moment the person answering the phone said the name of the business after “Hello”, based on tone, modulation, pitch, and attitude. Today’s businesses also have to respond to digital contact, making certain that their website contact forms have quick, efficient responses to people who need questions answered, or to set up an appointment. Every point of contact requires the person doing the job be trained to the expectations of the company. Salon Managers Are the Heartbeat of Your Salon Business
It does not matter how large or small your salon is, the person who oversees the management is the one who keeps it running and profitable. If that is you, or if it is someone that you hire, you have to know that you or they are knowledgeable in a number of different areas of the business world to make sure things are done right. A salon manager is not just the person who hires stylists and works to get the chairs filled with appointments, but is often the one who monitors payroll and hours, verifies inventory, chemical use compliance, health department standards and codes, takes care of the banking, and many other duties. It is imperative that the person taking care of these and so many more tasks in your salon know what is expected and how to handle the work. Impeccable salon management training is important for the success of your business. |
Hairdressers |