It feels as though it were only yesterday I was writing this column with a “Happy Holidays” message! And now here we are, rapidly striding toward our 2023 season!
The last few months have turned out to have been somewhat of a frustrating time in the UK with a number of key worker sectors, including nurses for the first time ever, along with ambulance drivers, train and bus drivers and border control officers taking industrial strike action over pay and working conditions. This level of industrial action had not been seen on such a scale since the 1970s when our then-Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher, stood up to and defeated such militancy.
As you would expect, there has been much media and public discussion and debate as to whether these recent strikes were indeed justified. For example, train drivers earn on average around 75 percent more than the average UK annual salary. Understandably, a soaring rise in the cost of living and hikes in interest rates are having a real impact across the whole of the UK and for all workers.
And one of the most impacted industries during the pandemic, the hospitality sector, recently warned that the strike action would cost that sector about $1.8 billion in lost sales. The knock-on effect of industrial action is being felt far and wide, including to a certain extent in our own sector as some people had their Christmas work and social celebrations cancelled.
Our teams will always be integral to our success and our investment in them and our recognition of them will continue to reap dividends.
A slower footfall, together with the ongoing impact of rocketing energy bills has seen tough decisions having to be made by some salon owners. Reduced opening hours, of course impacting staff income, and even some salon closures (fortunately, very few) are being reported.
Which is perhaps why now more than ever at this time of year, it is important to ensure that during our traditional ‘quiet time’ we revisit every element of our business operations and make changes and adjustments that will help ensure we are more efficient, effective and hopefully profitable going forward.
One, if not THE most important element of tanning salon businesses is staff and staff training. We see time and time again the value of investment in staff training. From customer experience, satisfaction and crucially retention; increased revenue through courses and lotion sales and also, of course very importantly, staff retention. A well-trained and loyal team member is undoubtedly worth their weight in gold.
So it is also essential that across all elements of our planning, we ensure we recognise the value of our team members and as far as is appropriate, include, engage, incentivise and reward them in the successful running of the business.
One of the most well-known and successful retail chains in the UK is the John Lewis Partnership. Unusually, the business is owned by its employees via a trust and this is reflected in the structures in place for workplace democracy and an annual profit-share for all employees. ‘Never Knowingly Undersold’ was a cornerstone of the business until the dominance of online shopping, making pricing even more competitive (over two-thirds of its own sales are now online). However, the strong, established brand based on quality, service value and partnership along with the introduction of strategies that did not compromise the brand, are helping steer the company through turbulent times where unfortunately many, many others have failed.
Our teams will always be integral to our success and our investment in them and our recognition of them will continue to reap dividends.
