Leaving your comfort zone and the fear of change can be enough for anyone to be 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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The time of year that you implement a new software system is imperative, as doing so during the heart of “busy season” may not be the best choice for you if you are already anxious about making a change. With that being said, as busy season comes to an end, right now is the perfect time of year to implement a new software program!
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Another factor to consider is the implementation services that the software vendor provides – will you have a dedicated project manager who will oversee the entire process, while following a detailed project plan? Is training on the system provided, and is the training methodology based on your specific business model to ensure that configuration is accurate and that you are getting the most out of the program (or are you left to figure it all out on your own)?
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If you desire to implement a new salon management system, take advantage of this ideal time of the year – you won’t regret that you did!
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Are you currently using a software program? If so, will you require a data conversion and does the software vendor offer this service? These are all important questions that you will want to ask upfront, as making an informed decision will help to minimize any feelings of vulnerability you may have.
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Once you’ve decided on the program that’s right for you, to ensure a successful software 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 who you can entrust with this type of responsibility). Having an understanding of the project scope and diligent planning in the beginning stages of your implementation is key. As with anything in life, unforeseen problems will occur, so the ability to work with a project manager who has experience in dealing with a variety of potential issues will be especially helpful.
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Your project manager should also provide recommendations on the areas of the implementation where you might want to engage members of your staff. A pilot program is a vital component of any software implementation and can be a very efficient method of training your team on the use of a new program. 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 with which 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 will exude professionalism on the day of “go live,” to the point that they are so calm, cool and collected that it’s completely transparent to your members that you’ve got a new system in place.
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If you desire to implement a new salon management system, take advantage of this ideal time of the year – you won’t regret that you did!
