The most valuable member of your team may not be “who” but rather, a “what.” A great software solution will prove to be an operations manager, security guard, administrative assistant, customer service manager, equipment maintenance supervisor, and even a cheerleader!
As a business owner, you simply can’t fulfill all of these roles on your own, nor can the most superb member of your staff – so why not employ a single software product that can? Doing so will allow you to “let go” (and hey, maybe even take that well-deserved vacation). And, if “peeking in” now and then while you’re not there to make sure your staff clocked in as scheduled or that your daily sales goals are being met gives you peace of mind, you can rest easy knowing you have a tool that allows you to do so.
Software, like any other asset, is not an expense, but an investment in the future of your business.
Imagine possessing the ability to set the rules for your business and automatically enforce those guidelines by using a system that allows you to configure parameters that are in line with your operational policies and procedures. A solid software program will also empower your team to do their jobs effectively, while limiting access to sensitive data areas. The ability to track and monitor staff activity is essential to ensuring the security of the entity you have worked so hard to build.
Are you and your staff constantly spending unnecessary time on data entry or on manually creating reports? Do you shudder at the thought of filing tanner contracts, or even worse, locating one when needed? These essential yet cumbersome tasks should and can be handled electronically.
Superior customer service is key to the success of any business. It’s inevitable that you’ll have an unhappy tanner from time to time. Your response to a complaint is imperative, and software can help to ensure a quick and efficient resolution by allowing staff to easily communicate customer concerns to the appropriate individual, while also creating a “paper trail.”
Have you or your maintenance tech ever arrived on location with a part to repair a tanning system only to find that you’ve got to run back out to get a replacement part for a separate issue … all because you didn’t see that sticky note a manager left on the front counter? Providing your staff with a method of electronically submitting maintenance issues and making them accessible anytime, anywhere, is sure to minimize the occurrence of these aggravating situations.
Yet another great way that software can aid in increasing the effectiveness of your organization is by motivating and inspiring friendly competition amongst team members through displaying up-to-the-minute performance rankings. Having these metrics readily available enables staff to maximize their selling potential while they still have time to do something about it (and, of course, increases your profits too!).
So remember: software, like any other asset, is not an expense but an investment in the future of your business – and may very well prove to be the most valuable member of your team. ■
