Leaving your comfort zone and the fear of change can be enough to make anyone hesitant to take any sort of action, even if making certain changes will be of great benefit to your business in the long term. Not knowing what to expect often causes fear in the best of us. If you’re considering implementing a new software program in your salon, having information readily available on such a change will help to minimize your apprehension.
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Knowing what the new system will achieve for your operation will aid you in making the right decision. Jotting down a list of items that are important to you in a software product will be especially helpful. For example, are you looking for a total salon management system? Are program stability and ease of use priorities to you and your staff? Do you want the ability to manage your business remotely as needed? When evaluating different software providers, it’s a good idea to have a list of wants and needs prepared beforehand.
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Aside from the features and functionality included within a software program, there are many other things to consider prior to making the decision to change (or to implement one for the first time if you haven’t already done so). The time of year that you implement a new software system is imperative, as doing so during your busier times of the year may not be the best choice if you are already somewhat apprehensive about making a change. With that being said, fall is a perfect time of year to implement software!
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When evaluating different software providers, it’s a good idea to have a list of wants and needs prepared beforehand.
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Another factor to consider is the services that the software vendor provides – will you have a dedicated project manager overseeing the entire process while following a detailed project plan? Is training provided, and is the training methodology based on your specific business model to ensure that configuration is accurate and that you will get the most out of the program (or are you left to figure it all out on your own)? Are you currently using salon software? If so, will you require a data conversion and does the software vendor offer this service? These are all important questions to ask upfront as making an informed decision will help to minimize your adversity to a change.
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Once you’ve decided on the program that’s right for you, to ensure a successful implementation, you will want to make sure that you are readily available throughout the entire process (or choose a member of your staff who has a solid comprehension of your business model and whom you can entrust with this type of responsibility). In the beginning stages of your implementation, an understanding of the project scope and diligent planning are key.
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Your project manager will provide guidance on the areas of the implementation where you might want to engage team members. A pilot program is a vital component of any software implementation and can be a very efficient method of training staff on the use of a new system. Just as you might have been somewhat fearful of making a change, your staff might be, too. If you keep them informed and provide them with a platform in order to familiarize themselves with the system before it’s deployed into a live environment, they will surely be more receptive to the change. Most importantly, this will give you confidence that your staff exudes professionalism on the day of “go live,” to the point where they are so cool and collected that it’s completely transparent to your salon guests that you’ve got a new system in place.
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Asking the right questions upfront and ensuring that the software vendor you choose provides implementation services to support you throughout the process will ease your mind and allow you to take comfort in knowing that the time to make a change is now!
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