Time for change: new year's resolutions

January is the perfect time to set targets and objectives for the coming year. We asked a selection of hairdressers what their new year's resolutions are... "I always like to set one word or phrase every year, which is our business focus for the year. 2007 was the year of learning, looking at what we have learnt in 20 years of business, examining all aspects of the business and documenting all we have experienced. This year is about passing on that learning to the current and future management team – the year of sharing wisdom." Jon MacLeod, Paterson SA, Edinburgh "My new year’s resolution is to never think that the job is done. The day you think you have made it is the first day of your decline. Always remember our finest achievements have not even been dreamt of yet." Toby Dicker, The Chapel, Tunbridge Wells, Kent "Our new year business resolution is to improve the client experience at all our salons, before, during and after their visit. We are going to actively work on all these areas so it’s easier to follow a system for the staff members when it’s in place. We will be looking at promotions, using the database to its full potential, client interaction and getting to know our clients better. We are also going to have a major push on mystery shopping this year. We plan on sending a mystery shopper to each salon at least once a month – more if we feel it’s necessary. The purpose of the mystery shoppers is to help our businesses increase sales and improve employee customer service awareness." Peter Crown, Lookfantastic, West Sussex "Our new year business resolution is to bring more awareness to the Hair & Beauty Benevolent within our team and continue to support this significant charity." HJ’s 2007 Business Directors of the Year, Alan and Linda Stewart, Rainbow Room International, Glasgow "The past two years at Bloww have taught me a lot and have been really, really hard work. However, now we’ve celebrated our two-year anniversary, my resolution is going to be to start enjoying it – really pushing the brand forward in terms of creativity and excellence. It’s going to be a good year." Paul Merritt, Bloww, London "2007 was a great year for us – business was up, we won some awards and presented at some great events. I’ve got a few focuses for 2008. One is to expand the creative side of the business, we’ve created an internal artistic team so I’m keen to get them out there presenting and shooting. Also, I’m planning to open a concept salon in Central London." Mark Woolley, Saks Hair & Beauty, Brighton "We want to become the destination salons in Oxfordshire for beautiful hair and sophisticated service and communicate this with our radically new corporate image. We want to increase our retailing from 10% to more than 15% with the opening of a new retail boutique at our Bicester salon, and reward our high achievers and motivate the rest of the team at the Anne Veck Hair Awards. We also want to take our colour service to the next level, with two colourists aiming to complete the Wella Master Colour Programme and become Wella Master Colour Experts during 2008." Anne Veck, Anne Veck, Oxford "2008 starts a new era in training in our salon. We are switching from college day release to full in-house training led by myself and three of my top team members. It should be more motivating and much more intense." Tracey Devine, Angels, Aberdeen "I have three resolutions for 2008. Resolution one: I would like to concentrate on reducing costs and expenditure. Although we had budgets in place for the year, having expanded the company quite rapidly through the opening of numerous salons and the launch of our state-of-the-art academy in Camden, we have exceeded our planned budget. This, compounded by a possible recession, means that we are resolving to ensure that our budgets for the coming year are met and not exceeded. Resolution two: Having only launched our London training academy in July 2007, we are focused on putting more time and energy into increasing student bookings for 2008, so that we are able to educate more people, helping them to enjoy greater success in their own salons and businesses. Resolution three: In the coming year I would like to be able to spend more time in the salon. Having increased the number of office-based staff, I hope to have time to get back into our salons, coaching our managers and helping progress our franchised and company-owned salons to get them all to the next level." Paul Simbler, hob salons, London and Hertfordshire "My new year’s resolution is to ensure that some of our companies are restructured to maximise current tax legislation. The chancellor has indicated that he is making quite dramatic changes to UK taper relief at the next budget and we have only a few months to crystallise our current position. It’s boring I know, but needs to be done as it will have a massive impact." Sean Hanna, seanhanna, London "After a highly successful, award-winning 2007, Keith Hall Hairdressing has an exciting 12 months ahead. We have traditionally grown organically, giving staff the opportunity to become franchisees. We hope to open more salons in 2008. At the same time three or four of our salons will enjoy major refits." Darren Messias, Keith Hall Hairdressing, Midlands "2007 was hectic – I was working with the F.A.M.E. team again, opened a salon in Brighton, relocated the London salon, launched a retail website, my fiancée had a baby and we moved house! So, 2008 will see me consolidate this, maximise profit and turnover across the salon group, continue to grow the website and get everything ready for the next move forward in 2009." Terry Calvert, Clipso, London "In 2008, we want to continue to develop our training programme and develop the skills of our team, especially our young trainees as we believe they are the future of Ishoka." Philip Bell, Ishoka, Aberdeen Do you have a new year's resolution? Why not discuss it with other hairdressers on the My HJi forums?