Retail doctor bob phibbs shares simple secrets to salon success

The Retail Doctor, Bob Phibbs, brought business-boosting brilliance to his seminar at the 2013 Paul Mitchell Gathering. As well as hosting an up-close-and-personal masterclass for salon owners, Bob also shared some of his expertise in the general session show. Stressing the importance of pride, passion and performance, Bob told the 3,500-strong audience the story of his local coffee house, which had faced competition when a Starbucks opened just metres away. Two years on, a combination of product expertise, personalised service and a dedication to the performance of the business has seen the local store thrive - and, remarkably, the Starbucks shut down. Reiterating the message of pride, passion and performance, Bob shared one final tip - a simple piece of advice which he believes every salon should undertake to see their business thrive but also reaffirm their dedication to their clients. The idea? A 'care label' for their hair. When you spend a lot of money on clothes, you consult your care label to keep them looking great. Dry cleaned or washed at 30? Ironed or dried flat? If you care about keeping the clothes looking good, you check. The same should apply to hair, Bob rationalised. He advised every stylist in the room to finish an appointment by filming themselves styling the client's hair on their smartphone; showing the products, explaining what they do and demonstrating how to use them. Simple, effective and guaranteed to keep clients coming back for more.