Fabulous ideas to spring clean your business and create an exciting new salon environment to motivate staff and entice customers!
You’ve heard it all before, times are hard and they are not getting any easier in the short term, but look on the bright side: Spring is here, it’s warmer and people are starting to take a bit more care of themselves – Hallelujah!
It’s time to get your head out of the sand and embrace some good old fashion “Out with the old, in with the new “ mentality. This can be applied to all manner of salon/spa concepts; here are just a few to get you thinking and wake up those of you who are still in hibernation mod from your long cold winter.
Opening Times: Stuck with the “9 to 5, closed on Mondays, late night Thursdays” routine? Why not open earlier and close later? You must have some staff who’s shifts overlap. This way you can catch the early birds doing the school run and benefit those hard working souls who work after normal working hours. Utilize your staffing time to benefit you the best. Times like we’re experiencing today are when you find out who you can count on; staff that are dedicated will shine and nothing will be too much trouble, so don’t worry about making a few changes; it’s good for the soul!
New Staff: Radical I know, but just think about it seriously for a moment. Are you carrying anyone’s weight in particular around the salon? Are you getting the value of money from your staff? Do you need all of them? Do they pay for themselves? Food for thought: it may seem a little harsh, but you know what, you pay the wage bill. Clear out the dead wood and save yourself a few dollars! Once this exercise is in place, try some new motivational ideas: give your staff targets; if they bring in brand new customers or target their retail sales, to help increase and at the same time, share in the profits of the salon. This will encourage team building while adding a little healthy competition between the staff at the same time. Why not? You have nothing to loose only more to gain!
New Sources of Income: Perhaps you are a little bleak in your approach to business? Open your mind to new and interesting ideas. Consider local nursing homes and hospitals for instance; they have a captive audience and perhaps they need someone to take on a contract for manicures/pedicures-if you don’t ask, you don’t get! It could be fruitful, try it. How about teaming up with other local businesses in the area, say a clothes shop and a hairdressers? Put on a fashion show together for the local community, lift the spirits, wile gaining potential new leads. Why not get a local hairdressers or gym to stock your price list and you can do the same for them. Or ask the local pub to place advertising on the back of the restroom doors in return for a discount for its staff. The simplest ideas often reap the biggest rewards. Another opportunity I have heard about recently is to support the local PTA/School group. Oh and look out for bridal fairs; this is a great networking event!
Products: At a loose end some days and bored of your current brand? Look around and investigate new retail lines, which will bring extra revenue to your salon. Maybe your current product supplier is not up to the mark in both services and it gives and the products it supplies? Switching brands to save money doesn’t have to be a chore; most product companies will suggest a suitable opening order to ensure that all of your service needs and budgets are met. In fact these days, most will tailor-make an opening order to suit you, rather than stock you up with useless products that you only ever use once? Make sure it backs up its brand with marketing support and point of sale material to pull the customers in.
Training Providers: Shop around for the best training providers; in today’s economic climate there should be a deal to be had. Compare quotes and expectations and ensure you are getting value for money.
Services: Look at the list of services you offer, think outside of the box- how about a men’s evening for example, where you offer men’s-only services? Try combining this with a televised sports event and bring in a TV for them to watch it while they relax and are being pampered. Not forgetting the ladies of course, you can offer girls night out – choose an evening that you can have your staff stay late to host a girls night out. Serve drinks and hor d’oeuvres while giving women a pampering experience. Same with children’s nail art and make up parties-use your imagination; with a broad range of quality products, the possibilities are endless. Do you want your customers to keep coming back to you time after time? Ever thought of a loyalty card schemed-where clients get the card stamped after every visit, like is done at coffee shops?
Decoration: When was the last time you changed the look of the salon, be it a new poster, mirror, window display, plants etc? All of these ideas can freshen up a tired looking workspace. Try changing around the layout, not only will it breathe new life into your staff, but your customers will love it too! If you just can afford it, why not change the color scheme, even on just one wall. A lick of paint can work wonders for a salon!
New Developments: Don’t be afraid to visit seminars and industry events, they are a minefield of valuable information, if you can’t make it, send a member of staff.