Search for: course

• 1. Your Own Customer Service Course Post

  

  Ever wish you could find out what thousands of clients like and don’t like about coming to the salon? Well, it’s at your fingertips and it’s free. Clients all over the world are adding their reviews to Yelp on all kinds of businesses—including salons. Want to find out what is important to the most vocal of salon guests? Just pick a city, key in “salons” and read the reviews. It’s the best course you will ever have on what is important to clients. Pick a different city every week and share some of the stories with your teammates. They are good for a laugh and a serious education.

  Just to get you started, you can read New York City reviews here.

  Tags: customer salons service yelp

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• 2. All Day Training Course

  Can every day be a training day in the salon? We say yes and give you a few tips to think about this week on how to do it.

  As we learn in the video:

  Create a Buddy System

  Team up stylists based on their strengths and weaknesses so they can learn from each other. Make sure their stations are next to each other.

  Create Mutual Accountability

  Make sure the buddies understand that they must both perform as a team, not as individuals.

  Change Stations Frequently

  Change stations (and buddies) frequently. This keeps things interesting and fresh and ensures that all day training is always new and fun.

  The buddy system with frequent changes and accountability creates an entire team of mini-managers and mini-trainers!

  Tags: accountability buddy course system training

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• 3. Men's Pricing in the Salon Post

  

  What’s your view on men’s pricing at your hair salon?

  We’re working on an upcoming course on pricing, including men’s pricing, and we want to know what’s happening in your part of the world on this subject. What has salon management decided to do in your salon?

  E-mail us at info at salonfixer and let us know your view so we can add it to the mix.

  Same price? Lower price? Staggered price? We want to hear it all. Keep watching for answers and, of course, our advice.

  If this is your first time at Salon Fixer, hit “TOUR” above to see what all the buzz is about. Then hit our home page and check out all the previews.

  Tags: advice management mens pricing salon

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• 4. Video Blog: What's New on Salon Fixer Post

  Another big week on Salon Fixer as we continue to post global interviews, information and courses. As our video blog says we’ve been busy creating new ways to communicate with you how to grow your business. From filming with The Doves to posting new content from Australia, the UK and the USA, it’s all been coming your way. We are also happy to report that salons are doing their homework from our last course! The feedback we have been getting is great and we thank everyone for the support.

  As we like to remind people, our subscribers get their own personal salon coach for the price of a haircut!

  Tags: cory update vlog

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• 5. The Generation Gap Post

  

  Is the “Generation Gap” real? And, what’s all this about Gen Y anyway?

  One of my most popular seminars is about Generation Y and how we can get Baby Boomers, Gen X and Gen Y to all understand each other, be motivated and get along in the salon. One thing many people don’t realize about the gaps between the generations is that they have nothing to do with age and everything to do with life experiences —and those are two completely different things! Check out the course on Generation Y here and learn about how you can bridge the divide through increased knowledge and understanding. If you feel like you are beating your head against the wall of Gen Y, why not just take the wall down? And if you are Gen Y, why not learn how you can make the wall disappear?

  Tags: boomers gap generation genx geny

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• 6. The Symphony of Salons Post

  

  Last night I had the pleasure of attending the Los Angeles Philharmonic, but of course I was thinking about salons.

  It was my first time at the famous Walt Disney Concert Hall and the entire city is celebrating the arrival of our new music director Gustavo Dudamel, affectionately known as “The Dude.” He is bringing a new passion and energy to the Los Angeles music scene and it was a treat to see one of his first performances conducting as the new director.

  But, as always, I was struck at how much a symphony reminds me of a great salon with a great leader. Everyone plays their part. No two alike, all with different sounds, but when lead correctly they make the most amazing music. It verifies my belief that salon management is an art, not a science.

  I talk about symphonies a lot in my seminars and in my courses here on Salon Fixer so it was no surprise that I was captivated not only by the music but by the teamwork and leadership.

  If you can, go to a symphony performance sometime. It does not have to be fancy, maybe just at a local school. While enjoying the performance, think about your salon and what you can learn just by watching how people working together, from the same sheet of music, can make the world more beautiful.

  Tags: management salon symphony

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• 7. Keeping in Touch with Tech... Post

  

  I woke up this morning amazed at how much technology has advanced in recent years in regard to how we can communicate news to each other directly around the world.

  Last night was a big awards ceremony in London for the UK’s Most Wanted Awards. And, while the awards are very significant, what has struck me this morning is how closely I have felt a part of the event from here in Venice Beach.

  Unable to get to the awards ceremony, I sent my good luck wishes to some of the people I know that were nominated and also to those who produced the event via e-mail, text, Twitter or Facebook. This, in and of itself, was not amazing but what was amazing is how the information about the event and results flowed back to me from so many sources.

  One source, Sean Dawson (who will be featured on Salon Fixer in the coming weeks), was Twittering during the event to keep his friends up-to-date. His best message: “It’s hard to eat with your fingers crossed.” This instant reporting really brought home to those reading the happiness and tension he was feeling at the time. Of course, he also sent a “tweet” when they picked up the award for Show Team of The Year.

  As I awoke, a text from Paul Simbler (from the same salon group, click “Episodes” above to learn more from him about building a business) confirming the news. As I opened my Facebook page, there was a pic from Sean (above), already posted, with congratulations pouring in… one from as far as Australia from my friend Brad Ngata, another icon a world away from the event that was keeping track of things from his home town of Sydney.

  But what of the other winners and my other friends up for awards that weren’t Twittering or Facebooking quite as quickly? To the rescue of course is the tech-savvy Creative HEAD Magazine, that had already posted a full page on the winners and their stories. I was happy to see more friends that had won awards and to read stories about some I have never met. You can see that here.

  Congratulations are in order to Creative HEAD Magazine and all the winners but I think we are winners too, because never before has it been possible to feel so close to a hairdressing event a world away before. It’s especially sweet as this is also one of the goals of Salon Fixer. To bring the people and great business ideas from around the world to your computer… in their own words and recounting their own stories and feelings.

  We’ve always been a lucky industry and, no matter the economy, we keep getting luckier.

  Tags: awards hob technology

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• 8. Flying with The Doves... Post

  

  We spent the day with The Doves yesterday and learned new things about these most written about of icons.

  Sometimes you go into an interview and think you know a lot about your subject because they are so famous or have been written about so much. That was the case when we spent yesterday with The Doves. Boy, were we surprised when we learned so much we had never heard. Here are some things we learned that you will see when the episode(s) is posted in October:

  The Doves opened their salon in Santa Monica not only with no personal clientele but hired only stylists with no clientele (partially for branding reasons but also for Karma reasons… they did not want to hurt any other salons).

  Over 600 people applied for two positions when they announced they were opening.

  They chose to buck the trends and shunned booth rental and commission compensation models in favor of a salary model to build their team.

  They not only have courses available in your salon or theirs but they will let you do an observation course where you get to see them in action as they interact with their clients.

  Even “icons” have fear, especially when it comes to owning a new salon and they are not afraid to hit the streets in search of new clients.

  They are expanding what their salon offers and their super-hip manager, Antonio, is also a top fashion stylist so clients have head-to-toe help at the ready.

  They have become involved in the community and in just a year have staff members winning awards for local environmental work and have earned top reviews on the major review websites.

  This is pretty amazing for a couple famous for being on stage but being new to owning a salon in the town where they planted their flag (also while producing a book, DVD and inventing a new razor! – all available at www.thedoves.us).

  More amazing than the above is the personal and personable side of Sonya and Christopher that they share with us in a way that can only be captured by Salon Fixer.

  We have incredible, informational, inspirational interviews (as well as courses) already posted so please check them out. Look for Sonya and Christopher to be up soon!

  Tags: advice doves management salon

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• 9. A Legendary Night for the USA Salon Industry Post

  Salon Fixer was on hand at Saturday’s Legends & Icons Gala, which celebrates the creative and entrepreneurial spirit of the salon industry and people who have helped it become what it is today.

  It was a great evening to run into old friends like Nick Arrojo, Winn Claybaugh, the team from American Salon Magazine, Dana from BTC and many others. And, of course, the honorees—most of whom we have interviewed right here on Salon Fixer.

  

  Honored were:

  Legend – Ann Mincey

  Ann Mincey recently celebrated her 35th year with REDKEN 5th Avenue NYC in 2009 and has stepped into a new role as Chief Spokesperson for the brand. As an integral part of the branding and management of REDKEN, Mincey brings a wealth of worldwide industry experience and is often credited as the ‘face and voice’ of REDKEN. Throughout her outstanding career, Mincey has developed and delivered inspiring messages of confidence, well-being and communication skills for salon professionals, distributors and clients throughout the world. Her honors, both within the industry and outside are countless.

  

  Icon – Robert Cromeans

  Hairdresser, salon owner, platform artist and industry legend, John Paul Mitchell’s Global Artistic Director Robert Cromeans’ charming wit, innovative artistry, and proven business strategies inspire hairdressers around the globe. Few have achieved Cromeans’ international acclaim, and fewer still have worked so hard to share the keys to success with others. The charismatic Scotsman always wraps his message of artistic innovation and contagious entrepreneurship in a package of encouragement: “If I can do it, you can too.”

  

  Icons – Sonya & Christopher Dove

  Long recognized as two of the industry’s leading hairdressers, Sonya and Christopher Dove are two of the most sought-after hair experts in the professional beauty industry. Known as “The Doves,” this dynamic hairdressing duo has been partners for 27 years and has steadily built an astonishing career. Natives of Great Britain, the Doves have created a solid reputation for modern and innovating hairdressing based on ever-changing fashion trends. The Doves continue to travel the globe educating, inspiring and motivating hairdressers on the latest styling concepts, cutting techniques and effective use and application of all Wella hair color, styling and care products.

  You can delve into the minds of Robert, Christopher and Sonya in our Salon Fixer episodes.

  Special thanks to Bill Knapp for use of the photos. You can see his website here or his Facebook page here.

  Tags: cromeans doves knapp legends mincey

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• 10. Partnering with Product Companies... Post

  

  One of the questions I am asked the most when I consult with salons is about how to get the most out of a partnership with a product company. In fact, this was one of the first questions that was sent in to Salon Fixer by one of our subscribers when we launched last week (you can write in an unlimited amount of salon management questions you know!).

  The salon owner that had written in had been in business for a number of years, has a motivated staff and a great business. However, as a busy owner, she is considering hiring someone to manage the retail area and help with the general marketing of products. The big question was where does she find the extra funds to start this experiment. She is confident that sales will increase if she has this new person focusing in this area but of course those are future increases in sales.

  My advice to her was that her first conversation should be with her product suppliers. Many of the items on the job description she created for this new hire are actually many areas where the product company would love to become involved. More education, better displays, more in-salon promotions and a focus on retailing skills.

  She already has a pretty solid relationship with one brand and that’s a good start. I always recommend that salons have a preferred brand for color and primary retail (after that, having a few more retail lines is great if it fits your salon model). By having a primary relationship you become a “big fish” in the pond of that company and usually this translates into extra attention and assistance for your salon.

  A primary relationship in my definition means that your color, primary retail and station product all come from the same source (they don’t have to be the same brand and many sources have more than one brand).

  If you have three color lines in the back room and five kinds of retail on the stations and shelves there is no way to gain 100% loyalty back from the product companies and this can dilute your importance to all of them.

  If you have a big project on the horizon, speak with your product companies. Let them know your goals and ask them what kind of commitment you would have to make to them in order to get a big commitment to your project in return. This may fall out of the reach of your regular sales representative so don’t be afraid to ask for a meeting with a manager for your area. They love salons that are ready to take the next step —especially with them.

  Look at your vendors as partners. Partners are there for the long-term and share in the building of the business as well as the rewards that follow. Just like any relationship, it’s about commitment, trust and follow-through on both sides.

  Keep the questions coming. Our adventure has just begun!

  Tags: color partner product retail

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