A New Year, and another tanning season ahead … are you ready to hit the ground running? You probably spent last December getting your tanning systems cleaned and re-lamped, replacement parts ordered and installed, all done as needed. You may have even added a new coat of new paint over the holidays and thoroughly cleaned the salon, as well. What’s left to accomplish as the new season starts? Salon operator training and certification!
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Many top tanning product manufacturers and distributors offer first-class training programs of which you may have taken advantage. Hats off to the staff of these manufacturers who travel not only nationally, but also internationally, to bring salon teams up-to-speed on their newest products and their benefits to tanners.
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The training I’m referring to, however, deals specifically with operator certification. Many states actually require salon staff to complete a compliant program either online or in a classroom setting. Even if you are not required, every salon team should understand the basics – including UV light and its properties, the anatomy of human skin, photosensitivity, overexposure, salon sanitization, equipment maintenance and more.
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Every salon employee needs to take and pass an education program, such as IST Magazine’s Sun is Life® Training and Certification. And, we make it easy for you! You can sign up and take it online at your convenience, 24/7. We also make it available in classroom formats offered periodically around the country. A special shout-out to industry leader, Four Seasons Sales and Service, that is again offering Sun is Life at their 2018 Expo this month in St. Charles, MO. They are one of Sun is Life’s key sponsors and have chosen it as their preferred salon operator training program. I’ve been honored to be the instructor at these Sun is Life certification sessions for the past several years.
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The best practice for new salon staff is to immediately offer them Sun is Life training to instruct them on the “do’s & don’ts” of indoor tanning. So many of the misconceptions and myths about indoor tanning can be dispelled with Sun is Life Certification. Once they have completed certification, they can enhance their knowledge base by taking modules from Sun is Life Training. This “next step” training goes further by way of our unique modules. Titles that include: “A Little Dirty Talk” (salon cleaning and sanitization), “Compliance Reliance” (federal and state salon requirements), “I Care for Eye Care” (FDA-compliant eyewear), “Lamps & Amps” (understanding the sunlamp/sunbed system), and much more, are taught in an easy-to-understand method that increases your staff’s industry knowledge. Some use this program to take an employee through a trial run for an added role on the team or even management. Once certified and trained, they are ready to absorb the day-to-day business of the salon.
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Make sure that a thorough staff orientation includes a review of your training manual (Sun is Life can help you put one together), a review of your policies and procedures, job descriptions and duties. Make sure they know the operation, features and benefits of every tanning system and “what if” safety procedures that could include fire, guest injury, and/or theft. Sun is Life can also address policies for handling difficult customers, as well.
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What’s the best feature of Sun is Life Training? It’s so easy to access. Currently, you can certify your entire salon staff (up to ten people) for only $99! What are you waiting for? Get your team ready for success in 2018. For more info, visit sunislife.com.
