The New Year is always about new beginnings and New Year’s resolutions. Some people’s resolutions are to lose weight, spend more time with family or just to improve some aspect of their life that has been neglected in the last year. This month, we’ll talk about how to implement New Year’s resolutions to improve the operation and success of your salon.
First, take a look around … sometimes it’s hard to see what’s right in front of you every day. Try assigning each team member to a different area of the salon and have him or her make a meticulous list of what things can be improved. This way, you can adjust your salon’s daily cleaning list to pay more attention to things that need it. Are the corners of the rooms not being cleaned well? Do some rooms have cracked chairs or acrylics? Or are there some areas that could benefit from a little redecoration – like, for example, adding a poster on the wall with some facts about using lotions? When we work in the same environment every day, we tend to overlook the small things, but they can be important. This year, resolve to make your salon look its best. Cleanliness is a key factor in any tanning salon, because your clients do “get naked” in your facility and you want them to feel comfortable and at ease in a clean environment.
Observe your staff. Do you have outgoing, driven, hardworking and capable team members working the salon in your absence? If you can’t answer “yes” to this question, what tools do they need to improve their skills? Could they benefit from more training and education? Most lotion manufacturers offer online training, so that your staff can effectively learn how to sell the products in your salon – and most of this training is offered at no charge. There are very affordable, comprehensive programs that will get your team ready for busy season and very easily elevate your level of professionalism.
Take advantage of your resources. Is there a new gym, nail salon, hair salon, etc. in town? If so, partner up with them and cross-promote for each other. Have them distribute your salon’s free tan cards or referral cards to their customers and you can do the same to promote their businesses. Talk to your product distributor rep to gather ideas; they talk to salon owners like you every day, and they are full of good info on how to drive new traffic into your salon. Your lotion manufacturer is also a good resource to have a relationship with; not only will you know about upcoming web trainings for your staff, but they, along with your distributor, can assist with ideas and free promotional products for customer appreciation days, free tan weekends etc.
The New Year makes us all feel that we have new opportunity – a fresh outlook and eagerness to improve our surroundings and ourselves. Implementing these ideals into your business environment can make you and your staff more successful and more focused. Whether you are making big or small changes, evolving, growing and constantly striving for betterment is what a New Year’s resolution is all about. This year, give your business the passion it deserves.
