Is it time for a salon business reboot?

Whether you are an habitual goal-setter or not, before you carry on in 2015 as you did in 2014, realise that the start of every year presents an ideal opportunity to reflect and reboot at a personal and a business level. Unfortunately, many business owners operate in a state of overwhelm; if that’s you the best way to start is to get some structure and clarity to your thinking. Every business essentially has four functions, operations, money, marketing and HR (your team) and they are all held together by you – the manager – and the management systems you put in place. The Italians have a saying: ‘The fish rots from the head down.’ It means that problems start at the top, so it makes sense that your business reboot starts with you, the owner/manager, because your business is a reflection of you. Before you try to reboot your marketing, your finances or your team start by focusing on management and ask yourself, in the context of you, the manager, some key questions. Asking yourself questions is a powerful way to make sure your focus is in the right places. Remember to stay on track thinking of you the manager. Think of this as your appraisal (because if you’re an owner/operator no one else is going to give you one). Be complimentary about yourself where you can, but above all be honest with yourself, acknowledge your shortcomings and identify ways to improve. Ask yourself:

• As a manager what’s working?
• As a manager what am I doing well?
• As a manager what are my strengths?
• As a manager what should I continue doing?
• As a manager what should I do more of?
• As a manager what should I start doing?
• As a manager what’s not working?
• As a manager what did I do last year that didn’t work?
• As a manager what attitudes and attributes do I have that don’t serve me well?
• As a manager what should I stop doing?
• As a manager what are my weaknesses?
• As a manager where are my blind spots?
• As a manager how can I better lead by example?
• As a manager what further training do I need to improve my management skills?
• As a manager what opportunities do I have this year to develop myself and the management systems of the business?

And finally ask yourself: If I don’t address my shortcomings as a manager and capitalise on the opportunities to grow and develop, what effect might that have on me, my team and my business? The purpose of a reboot is to start over again. But make it a better start; learn from what worked and what didn’t. Most people want their business to be different but aren't prepared to do anything different to what they have been doing. Anthony Whitaker is the man behind Grow Your Salon Business. He is an acclaimed educator, motivator and author, delivering seminars around the world. His latest book, Grow 3: Team has just been published. Visit www.growmysalonbusiness.com for further information and details of forthcoming seminars.