Do you attract the right staff? how to pick and keep the right people

Losing a key member of staff and having to find someone new can be a challenge – but how do you make sure you attract the right staff in your salon? So we asked Liz McKeown to share her insights on how to identify and retain the best fit for your salon team. An average UK worker changes employer once every five years, according to a recent study. This means just under a quarter of employees (23%) are looking for a new job at least once a year. Today’s job applicants are no longer motivated by the same factors as previous generations with greater emphasis being placed on a good work-life balance and having a sense of purpose above financial success. Salary remains a motivating factor, but well-being, personal progression and having a cultural fit with a prospective employer, all play a big part in the decision-making process. As a business owner there are many challenges to success. The greatest challenge for all hair salon businesses, however, is how to attract and retain great people as without a great team, your salon cannot succeed. The success of any business is based on having the right people in the right jobs with the right skillset. This is true for both management positions and those on the front line. Successful hair salons must have a people process encompassing business strategy, recruitment and long-term retention of your best employees to ensure business success. Here are the three steps you need to follow to secure and retain the best staff in your salon.

Step 1: Develop your business strategy

To do this, you need to answer these key questions: • What are you doing? • Where do you want your business to go? • What are your unique selling points? • How do you differentiate your company from others offering similar services? • How will you approach your marketplace?

Step 2: Define your company’s culture

Determining your company’s culture is the single most important part of any salon’s foundation. It defines how you want to be known by your customers, suppliers and employees.

Step 3: Identify the required people skills, competencies and range of experience

Identify the people you need to achieve your business goals and who will fit into your salon’s culture. Having the right ‘fit’ is critical, therefore you need to create a profile explaining the skills and competencies that are required for your business. Take this information and start to develop a job description. It is important to focus on the duties, responsibilities and skills that are necessary for the job, as well as the right fit for your salon’s culture. When interviewing job candidates, it’s important to involve others in the process as everyone has weak spots when interviewing. If possible, let others participate and allow them to take a look at the profile and job description. When making the final decision, choose the candidate who best fits the position and the culture within your salon.