British hairdressing business awards: past winners share their advice
Published
22nd Jun 2011
by rachael
HJi quizzes past winners of the Business Director of the Year category at HJ's British Hairdressing Awards to find out the secrets of running a successful business, advice for leading a team and secrets of salon management. 
Business Director of the Year 2010 Mark Woolley, Electric
What qualities do you need to be an effective leader, and how did you develop these?
My first piece of advice would be to always be honest and, ultimately, be yourself. It's important to be passionate about hair as this rubs off on the team; creativity at the top breeds creativity at the bottom. I aim to surround myself with passionate, brilliant people, as this forces me to be at the top of my game day in, day out.
A business is only as good as the people within it, so I make a point of nurturing those who share my passion and vision, and rewarding those who exceed my expectations. Invest in your team and help them flourish; after all, it is through them that your business will grow. I want my long-service team members to share in my success, which is why many are now partners in the business - it is important that your team feel they are truly part of the company.
Also, a work hard, play hard culture is healthy for any company. Twice annually I run the Electric Sessions - motivational and creative training days with awards, a party and an obligatory team-building sea jump!
As a director, how have you steered you business through the current economic ups and downs and what plans do you have for future growth?
My ethos is to stick to your beliefs and go with your gut instinct; if it doesn't feel right, don't do it. I've always aimed to maximise what I've got, investing time and money into inspiring others, which has paid dividends.
More than ever during challenging economic times it's importnt to understand that your salon must reach a far wider audience in order to bring clients your way, and that's where new media comes in. I understand that the internet and social networking are vital for maintaining brand profile and interacting with clientele so I've invested in my own and Electric's websites so they work as extension of the salon.
Business Director of the Year 2008
Andrew Phouli, Rush Hair
What would be your top tips on managing a team effectively?
- Communication is key. Ensure each member of your team is fully briefed and understands your brand message, and as a team you are working together to achieve your salon/company goal.
- Always be positive - teams will follow a positive leader and produce great results.
- Be a good listener - be available to anyone who is feeling the pressure and give advice where you can. Be positive when giving advice and motivate them, they will walk away feeling stronger. Give them 100% of your attention and time, encourage them and let them know you are always there if they need you.
- Introduce team days for achieving certain results, a day out or an evening meal together can build up staff morale, bringing everyone closer together and making them stronger as a team to achieve the best results.
How far ahead should salon owners plan in order to ensure a successful future - and do you have any advice on the most important areas to consider?
Forward planning is crucial, and you must be clear about the goals you set yourself, the company and your team in order for you to run a successful business. Set short, medium- and long-term goals. It is vital to believe in the decisions you make for your business and to be tenacious in the execution of strategies, which will drive the business forward.
Business Directors of the Year 2007 Alan and Linda Stewart, Rainbow Room International
What is the secret running a successful salon chain?
The secret is to have comprehensive systems for every part of the of the business that are monitored, measured and evaluated. It is vital to have clear and concise standards that every member of the company understands. Ensuring that everyone is working towards the goal/vision of the company is also crucial. Also our head office/main hub is the Academy and all staff, at all levels, attend ongoing training there, making our offices the centre of the company.
How do you select the right people to manage salons?
The majority of our salons are now franchised to our own loyal team. They have had to progress through the ranks and work their way up from supervisor to assistant manager then eventually manage one of the salons.
Tis gives us enough time to mentor and train them, and to evaluate their results, making sure they have the ability to have their own salon in the process. We have an open door policy for any team member to approach us if they are interested in management or in owning their own salon.
We provide the training and systems and then it is up to the individual, through hard work to prove that they are worthy of leading a team and running a salon.
