“Tomorrow is the first blank page of a 365-page book. Write a good one.” – Brad Paisley.
It’s that time of year again – the beginning of whole new one, that is. Goodbye 2013, hello 2014! We always hear friends and family talk about “New Year’s Resolutions” and possibly attempt to make our own. Dieting, quitting smoking, going to the gym, spending more time with family and somehow, winning the lottery always makes its way into the mix. What about business? There should be a resolution for your salon, as well. Let’s define this ideal business resolution as “a salon face lift.” Like Brad Paisley said, it’s a whole new year and you have a blank book to write in. Let’s make it a page-turner!
Take a look around your salon and evaluate it – your products, tanning rooms, and finally, your staff; this is where a face lift may be needed. Now ask yourself a few questions. Do my shelves look bare? Are the lotion bottles dusty? Are my guests unhappy with my product selection? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, don’t worry, it’s an easy fix! The New Year means that manufacturers have all launched their brand new 2014 products, and they’re available for you to order. You should be running new product promotions in-salon at this time, as well. Ring in the New Year with a BOGO or special discounts. Offer new customers a “New Year, New Tan” deal. Don’t forget – Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, too. A “For Your Special Someone” sale or even a “Couples Special” works well.
Let’s talk about appearances. Is your lobby clean and welcoming? Could it use a fresh coat of paint or even a change of color? Do your tanning rooms have working music systems? Any of these issues are also easy to fix. Paint is an inexpensive and very effective salon pick-me-up that creates a whole new mood and atmosphere for your guests. Your regular guests will notice the change and new customers will notice your attention to the décor. Colors actually promote different moods; for example, red raises a room’s energy, yellow captures the joy of sunshine, blue is said to be calming and brings down blood pressure, and purple is rich, dramatic and sophisticated. If painting the salon isn’t an option, improving its cleanliness is easy. After all the holiday hustle and bustle, “deep” cleaning the salon can seem exhausting. Let this be the time to give your salon a fast face lift by getting the cleaning done. Maybe rearrange your lobby to make the entrance more welcoming to your guests, as well. They enjoy listening to music as they relax during their tanning session, so make music systems are working properly.
Last but not least, evaluate your staff. Are they educated on new and current products you are selling? Are they greeting guests and giving new customers proper salon tours? Are they following dress code? Finally, are they happy working at their current jobs? All of these factors play a key role in the proper functioning of your salon. Some team members may feel a little worn out after all the holiday chaos. Let’s make sure we rev them up and get them excited for a new year. Training and education are great motivators! Most lotion manufacturers provide training, both in-salon and via web and video. Make sure you use it! It’s true that knowledge is power, and when mixed with confidence, you create a great combination for sales success. When salon staff is educated, they are more comfortable speaking with guests about products and closing a sale.
All team members should greet guests with a friendly smile and ensure all new customers are made familiar with the salon layout. This is also a way to show off your salon and equipment and inform your guests about every single service you offer. Staff dress code should be enforced as well; this sends a message of orderliness and ensures that your salon’s impression is a good one. When your team is dressed neatly and well groomed, it reflects upon your business. Keeping your staff happy and maintaining a positive work environment will also positively impact your sales.
All of these things are easily obtainable and within reach! New Year’s gives all of us a chance to start fresh, make resolutions and keep them. Best of luck to all of you in the New Year!
