Spring clean your business

With the festive break a distant memory, many small and medium-sized businesses could increase productivity and profitability for 2007 simply by reviewing some of their practices. National chairman of the Forum of Private Business, Len Collinson, says making time to think about the big picture is difficult, but ultimately rewarding. "There are many daily distractions, from the necessities of the workplace to unwelcome government red tape," he says. "However, time spent looking at the longer term can be most beneficial. Owners of a smaller business should look for help when creating new appointments or reviewing problems, such as the Forum of Private Business."Owners and managers of salons need a variety of technical and social skills to run a successful business. Claire Smith is the owner of The Colour Room, Stockport, and says the beginning of the year is a time for fresh starts, to reflect on the good and bad areas of a business and pinpoint areas for improvement.

"While the salon is quiet it is our chance to ensure the year ahead is planned thoroughly"We get appraisals arranged, and marketing, PR and training plans ready. Everyone has that 'New Year' feeling so it's a good time to motivate people and start on the right footing. It's an ideal opportunity to tighten and sharpen every aspect of the business from customer service to personal goals. Our financial year is half way through the year so January is a good time for a six-monthly review. We work closely with our product partner Wella Professionals revising contracts and searching for the best deals. It's our job to ensure each team member understands the importance of their part in the overall picture and understands what is happening in the months ahead,"

she says. Paul Simbler is one of the directors at hob salons, current Business Directors of the Year in the HJ British Hairdressing Business Awards. "We take this opportunity to analyse the company, identifying any weak areas including stylists who are underperforming, client retention rates, retail figures and colour client numbers," he says. Once the Christmas decorations come down, salons tend to look bare and this is the ideal time to take an objective look at the salon environment. "Use this time to analyse areas that could be improved, ranging from the backwash area through to the reception. These are the key areas in the salons where the clients have the time to look around and notice any grubby sections," says Paul. He and partners Akin Konizi and Clive Collins often take a virtual client walk-through check. This involves sitting and standing in areas of the salon just as a client would, in order to get a client's eye view of the salon, but what do other salons do? HJ asked around: 2006 Scottish Hairdresser of the Year Tracey Devine, Angels, Aberdeen:

"January is the time when I sit down and reflect on the year before and the year ahead and put a plan in motion. I spend a week in the office just planning the full year and I learn more in that week than you would ever imagine."

Simon Giamettei, Marc Antoni salons, Berkshire:

"Every year Christmas gets earlier so I review my business in the New Year but I put practices and activities in place for Christmas during late summer. This year everyone who came for an appointment during December received a 20% card to return during January. With the salon at its busiest during this period we capitalise on the majority of our clients but also new clients, and ensure they book their next appointment within six weeks rather than the usual seven so they visit in what is traditionally a quiet time."

Ben Dellicompagni, Francesco Group, Midlands:

"January is about getting the team together and refocusing for the year ahead. Every franchisee focuses on their business plan, which involves setting new targets, planning individuals' development and looking at potential rewards for the year ahead. The team also needs to look at the past year's performance, reminding everyone of their progress and steps forward to attain personal and business success."

Spring Clean Your Business Paul Simbler's Top Tips 1. Objectives: What do you want to achieve in the coming year? 2. Planning: This could range from budgeting to shows and photo shoots. 3. Staff appraisals and incentives: It is important to start the year afresh by reviewing staff performance over the past year with them, setting them new goals for the coming year and putting incentives in place like retail incentives. 4. Expansion: Whether or not you are going to open more salons. 5. Consolidation: To tighten your belt and look at last year's expenditure. 6. How to run a successful business: Remember it IS a business. Focus on your goal, break the business plan down into smaller parts so it is easier to action. 7. Planning: This is crucial to any serious business. We put ALL plans on the walls so that they are working plans and everyone is aware of everything going on - communication is a major part of this. Of course the service offered is a major part of the business and its success. The Forum of Private Business has a publication, Cost, Controls and Profit - the Complete Business Checklist, which provides easy-to-follow advice for running a business.