Creating the empowered salon by investing in your team

The successful salons of today and tomorrow are those that can harness the passion and commitment of their people to foster the values of constant improvement, explains salon business specialist Antony Whitaker. Every salon owner needs to have a vision for the business and how it will operate. But turning that vision into reality isn’t something you can do alone. You need a team of people, systems and a defined culture that reflects your values and service standards. Constant improvement is a way of life when building a better salon business and can only be achieved by empowering your team to take ownership of their own jobs so they have a personal interest in improving the performance of the salon. Empowering people is about energising the individuals on your team to be at their best; it's about getting your team to buy into your vision for the business and to reach their full potential in the process. That is what my new The Empowered Salon seminar, which I’m taking on the road around the UK this May, is all about. But what are the characteristics of an Empowered Salon? 1. What do you sell? Everyone, and I mean everyone, from the Saturday assistant to the receptionist to your highest-flying stylist, understands exactly what the salon is really selling so every client has an ‘in-salon’ experience that reflects the brand values and service standards of the business. Obviously, we are selling haircuts and colours and an array of home haircare products, but at a deeper level we are selling much more than that. We are selling an experience. 2. Defining and delivering the client experience Every client who visits has a consistent experience from the minute she arrives until she walks out the door. An Empowered Salon does not leave that experience to chance, where it is determined by whichever team members the client happens to come into contact with during her visit. Instead the entire brand experience is defined and systemised, while the team receives constant coaching on how to deliver a consistent in-salon client experience so no matter when the client comes in or who the client comes into contact with, she is guaranteed the same high standard of care. 3. Building relationships As well as the experience and the products and services we sell, we are also selling relationships, with the individual and with the brand. Understanding how to nurture and develop professional relationships is an essential part of the Empowered Salon. 4. Developing brand you There is absolutely no mismatch between the brand perception created through advertising, salon design, location and marketing and the individuals and the service. In a successful, Empowered Salon the brand is carefully developed and managed so it aligns perfectly with the professionals in the salon, the values of the salon and the standards of the salon. 5. Owning your attitude The single most important character trait of your team members is their attitude. You can teach skill, you can nurture and develop creativity, but only if individuals have the right attitude and are willing to learn or encouraged to grow. Everyone on the team in an Empowered Salon understands that they own their attitude and that they are responsible for the communication and relationship skills needed to ensure they reach their full potential. Creating the Empowered Salon takes time, constant vigilance and know-how. You can’t wing it.  Embrace what it takes to lead your team and you will instantly see a jump in self-motivation from your team members and a greater awareness that they are responsible for delivering the ultimate in-salon experience to every client. And from there you will see an immediate increase in their levels of motivation, teamwork and customer service, all of which will contribute to a healthier bottom line for your business. The Empowered Salon seminar is part of best-selling author and business coach Antony Whitaker’s UK tour, starting in May. Other seminars include Super Stylist, Management and his three-day intensive and immersive Business School. EMPOWERED SALON SEMINAR http://www.growmysalonbusiness.com/pages/the-empowered-salon 11 May London 18 May Manchester 8 June Glasgow   £155pp. Early bird £125 Book 5 get 1 free Early bird expires 3 weeks before seminar dates Excludes VAT