We are creatures of habit often doing things that are automatic without really thinking about it. In order to become a highly effective leader we need to practice new things until they become new habits. Here are some highly effective habits that you can begin practicing today:
1) Learn the Stages of a Business: In order to keep a salon/spa or chair/room business growing it is important to understand the lifecycle of a business and know where you are at currently. There is a great book called Barbarians to Bureaucrats, that explains the life stages of every business. It all starts with a visionary idea, then the Barbarian stage of getting things done no matter what. After that there is the builder, explorer, and admin stages. At the admin stage the author warns about becoming a bureaucrat and/or aristocrat. These last two stages can be deadly to your business. Owners and leaders in these last two categories come across as above everyone else, too important to be involved, and can loose touch with everyone around them. Understanding these stages/cycles will help you adjust as a business owner/leader.
2) Watch for New or Rising Talent: Great leaders raise up other great leaders! They do this by focusing on character, skills, and ability of everyone they meet. For example: Maybe your salon needs a really great front desk person. Great leaders, not just salon owners, pay attention to how they are treated by service providers all around them. If someone gives you the type of service you expect in your business consider offering them the job. Character and work ethic are hard to teach, so hire with this in mind.
3) Study Your Data: Being a salon owner or stylist requires that you understand who your servicing and if you are growing. Data gives you facts about the direction your going in and let’s you know what is working and what isn’t. Look at trends like what month or day of the week has highest sales, which ones are lowest. Then you can create promotions that fit the data. Great decisions are always based on data, it’s not a guessing game. The objective of data is to guide your decision making. This one habit is crucial to help you pivot your business toward growth.
4) Cast Vision Constantly: When you cast your salon business vision to your service providers, they in turn sell that vision to clients. So let’s say that your vision is to help clients reach their fullest beauty potential through honest recommendations and services. Your service providers will strive to meet that vision. A vision that comes from why you do what you do is much more impactful than how or what you are doing. This habit will motivate others to join you on your vision.
5) Plan your Strategies Ahead of Time: Think of yourself as the CEO of your salon or chair. CEO’s review past sales performance and create growth strategies for the next quarter. First you need a foundation of data from past performance in order to make a business development plan. Strategies that can propel your business include; new services/products/loyalty programs and the promotional campaigns to launch these to your staff and clients. Another strategy for growth is to develop the leadership/skills of your staff and a plan to make that happen. Once you have your foundation, then you can plan the next quarter, half year, or full year in the areas of potential growth, while asking who do you need to invest time to help build their career. Try to plan strategies at least a full quarter (3 months) ahead of where you are.
All of this information comes from several sources/people who are highly successful. They suggest writing out these habits and ask yourself how well you are doing in each one, and where do you need to focus change to help get you back in the driver seat of your business.
One Extra Habit – Build Partnerships: Icon loves to build partnerships with our clients. Speak with an Icon Salon Consultant about ways we can partner with you to help grow your business.
