The salon business is very attractive for beginner entrepreneurs, since the services of the masters of the beauty industry are always relevant and in demand. The materials in this article will help you avoid common mistakes in managing such a business.
The beauty industry is a very specific business area, reminiscent of an artistic environment. Elements of creativity in the work of specialists, a competitive spirit, a predominantly female staff of the team, the obligatory presence of Prima and her main rival - all this makes the salon look like a theater, and the “performances” given by the employees have to be watched by the head.
Gossip, intrigue, behind-the-scenes struggle of employees with each other and with the administration is a "natural form of life" for a huge number of salons and clinics.
Naturally, such a psychological atmosphere not only negatively affects the quality of the salon, but is also felt by the clients.
It would be logical to assume that the leader should regulate and correct this situation, but he does not, preferring to “reign, but not rule”.
What is the reason?
In fear of losing good specialists and complete dependence on them. Indeed, the most experienced, successful and in-demand employees do not hesitate to directly blackmail the director: “Either you give me what I want, or I leave. A master like me will be accepted everywhere!"
Having once succumbed to the blackmailer, the leader will no longer be able to win back his position. And henceforth, any more or less significant employee will manipulate him.
Every owner or manager of a salon business made several important mistakes that led him to this situation. Here they are:
1. The leader has not increased his expertise in the type of business that he manages.
This is possible if:
- an entrepreneur purchased a ready-made salon business without being familiar with its specifics;
- management is carried out by a hired director who has no experience in this area;
- a salon is an investment project for an entrepreneur, in which he has a share of the profit, but does not seriously engage in it.
Lack of necessary information makes the manager weak and vulnerable to unscrupulous staff.
2. The leader has not developed the skill of managing women's teams.
The women's collective is a special environment where emotions prevail over logic, and no one fights "with an open visor." Managing it is significantly different from managing a male or mixed team.
3. The manager misplaced the priorities at the recruiting stage.
Probably, every owner or manager of a salon at least once in his life was tempted to hire a "star" - an experienced employee with a well-known name and an extensive client base. These specialists come to the company "with their own charter" and soon force the manager to accept their conditions, starting with the size of the salary and ending with the behavior of the employee in the salon.
4. The manager has not developed and implemented work regulations for his staff.
These regulations may include: "Staff Regulations", "Corporate Code", "Corporate Ethics Rules", "Customer Service Standards", etc.
If you do not have your own rules, you begin to live by someone else's rules, this is an axiom.
5. The manager has not developed and implemented a system of control over compliance with regulations.
Such a situation often occurs: the documents in the company are developed, however, no one reads them and does not fulfill the stated requirements.
Employees can afford everything:
- be late for work or go home before the end of the work shift, - serve your friends and colleagues during working hours (often free of charge), - make customers wait for themselves (while they themselves eat, drink tea, smoke, etc.),
- give clients personal business cards (to take them to home service), - refuse to work with the materials that the salon buys, - unreasonably demand an increase in the percentage of wages, - discuss in the presence of the client their personal problems, quarrel, comment on the actions of the management, etc.
6. The manager was unable to “sell” the idea of the need to comply with regulations to the team.
Any changes in the company always cause resistance from the staff, even when they are aimed at the benefit of employees. During the implementation of changes, the leader needs to show maximum leadership qualities and show the team all the benefits and prospects.
If you're running a beauty business, check to see if you've made these mistakes? And, if so, take immediate action to correct them. Good management and standardization of business processes will allow you to take your company to the next level and get more profit. And a favorable atmosphere in the team will be an additional and pleasant bonus!
Elena Trigub
