Steer your ship in the direction you want it to go and you’ll be fulfilled!
December is here – and as the holidays draw near, it’s time to reflect on 2016. Personally and professionally, now is the time to take stock of where you won and lost this year and evaluate your goals for next year.
Reviewing 2016 this month and having your goals set for 2017 (if you don’t already) will let you start the year off with a target and focus, so you and your team are on the same page. As you set your goals, here are a few things to keep in mind:
Goals should be measurable
Don’t dangle a carrot in front of your staff to “have a better year” without defining what a better year is. Is your goal to increase sales overall by 10%? To build a stronger EFT base? Sell more sunless retail products? Make sure you know what you’re going for and put all those details in front of your team.
Track progress along the way
Most of our team members are high school and college students who have a lot on their minds. While their job may be a priority, they’re not thinking about the business as frequently or on the in-depth level that you do. Show them the target so that they know what they’re trying to hit, and remind them often. Progress reports along the way keep them engaged and motivated.
Choose target dates carefully
If you set a year-long goal, it’ll be really hard to keep your staff engaged the whole time. If you give them a week to turn around a sales deficit, it’s going to be hard for them to perform. In my salon, we often have a quarterly objective, but then focus one specific area each month. For example: this month, we are promoting a new sunless solution. Next month, we’ll move to promoting our teeth-whitening.
Reward your team for their successes
Rewards don’t have to be cash and they don’t have to be huge, but make sure your staff knows on the front end what the incentive is. We’re currently running a promotion where the team member who increases their per-client average most over the next three months will win a $250 Visa cash card. We’re reminding them on their paychecks each pay period, and tracking progress each month in our sales meetings – their eyes are on the prize and they’re working for it!
Finally, as a bit of inspiration: remember why you went into business
As an entrepreneur, you’re there to drive the ship. Take stock of what you loved in your life this year and repeat it. Determine what you didn’t love and change it. Steer your ship in the direction you want it to go and you’ll be fulfilled!
Close out 2016 strong!
