Unless we strive for success and growth, we become stagnant, and in the business world, that means death.
Can you believe another year has already passed? As we welcome in 2015 this month, we are going to discuss some easy New Year’s resolutions you can implement to improve your business (easier by far than quitting a bad habit or losing weight!) No business or business owner is perfect, and we all have room for improvements. Unless we strive for success and growth, we become stagnant, and in the business world, that means death. That being said, there is no better time than the New Year to execute strategies that fuel long term success.
Make Better Connections with Your Customers
As we embark into 2015, we need to reflect and remember what makes our business successful. Great equipment and a good location are key, but happy and loyal customers are the difference between an average salon and a super salon. We should all strive to view our customers as relationships rather then transactions. If you continue to build relationships with your existing customers just as you did when they were new, you have a better chance of keeping them loyal to your business. Offer in-store and email promotions as well as upgrade specials just for existing members. Plan a customer appreciation event where clients can try equipment they haven’t already tried. These small gestures will ensure that you are creating long-term relationships with your clients.
Network within Your Network:
Who else knows more about the daily struggles in your salons than fellow salon owners? Trade events and online forums are great ways to connect with other salon owners outside of your market so you can bounce ideas off each other and benefit from that exchange. Communicating with others in our industry is a way to gain more knowledge and ideas on procedures, pricing structure, employee retention, equipment selection and much more.
Make Business Planning a Top Priority
Planning ahead is vital if you want a healthy, growing, thriving business. Business planning lets you take stock of what worked and what didn’t work, and helps you set new directions or readjust goals. So why do it only once a year or every quarter? Set aside time each week to review, adjust, and look ahead. Set a “Monday Morning meeting” with yourself or include your staff to ensure all goals, policies and procedures are being met. Not only will this help you avoid costly mistakes and stay on track, but you’ll feel more focused and relaxed knowing you are one step ahead of the game.
A new year provides the opportunity to begin with a clean slate. Since we all know that the first step toward realizing our goals is to set them, New Year’s resolutions offer the perfect opportunity to start on the journey to a better business.
I wish you all a safe, happy and successful New Year! ■
