WOW! Have we started off the New Year and new decade with gusto? Usually, at this time of year in Europe, we find ourselves in a rather enviable position of being able to ease ourselves back into work rather gently, given that the industry generally appears to adopt a “slowly does it” back-to-business approach; or at the very least, it operates at a more sedate pace than the frenetic build-up to the holiday break, which already seems a life time ago.
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I genuinely welcome this small window of opportunity and the associated luxury of having time to catch up on my various “to do” lists which inevitably expand over the festive break as I contemplate, plan, reflect and review.
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But the start of 2020 has already set off as a mirror image of the dazzling firework displays launched to welcome in the new decade, with new product orders, meetings and initiatives whiz-banging around the office to the delight of all! Thank goodness I have my fabulous team to manage the unseasonal explosion of activity, as this is good news for all.
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We endured much of the last 3.5 years with the media and business analysts predicting doom and gloom and that the complexities and insecurities around Brexit would hamper investment and curb enthusiasm for growth across all sectors. On reflection, there was an element of reality about this even for the indoor tanning industry. But now, following our decisive UK election and with a government that is clearly “open for business,” I am delighted to see our industry isn’t wasting any time in forging ahead with a renewed energy and vitality that befits this new decade.
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I am delighted to see our industry isn’t wasting any time in forging ahead with a renewed energy and vitality that befits this new decade.
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And from my early-year conversations with salon owners, it would appear another perhaps unpredicted advantage of the uncertainty that 3.5 years of Brexit negotiations delivered was an enhanced level of business focus. Professional salon owners have been making significant efforts to reduce their financial exposure as well as sharpening up their salon operations to ensure their businesses are as professional, efficient and debt-free as possible.
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This all augurs well for continued growth and investment in our industry going forward and of course, it also means we can hopefully see an end as quickly as possible to the minority of operators who steadfastly refuse to get on board with embracing the demands of what a professional indoor tanning salon is all about: trained staff, clean salon, good quality, well-maintained compliant equipment, appropriate selection of tanning lotions and accessories and above all a commitment to delivering a responsible tanning programme for those able to tan.
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It beggars belief that representatives of Joe Public, who of course always have a choice, would even want to step over the threshold of a salon that didn’t offer all of the above. And this is where, I believe, our industry must continue its efforts to educate and inform consumers. Customer experience, from customer care information and salon aesthetics through to the tan delivered must aim to deliver the highest standards and even look to exceed expectations.
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It appears my “to do” lists have now expanded even further with a raft of new ideas and initiatives for our business, our clients and our industry. There’s so much to do and I am truly so excited to be part of getting it done. Before we know it, 2030 will be upon us and I certainly have a whole load of “to do” lists to clear before then.
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