subject: Managing A Salon: Staff And Equipment [print this page] Even with a sluggish economy, the beauty industry continues to thrive. Thus it is no surprise that salons and day spas make for an ideal career for many. However, salon businesses have their own unique challenges which salon managers must be prepared to address. Managers must also be proficient at managing staff, supplies and maintaining the balance in the salon.
Managing Staff
The biggest challenge salon owners and managers will face is the maintenance a healthy and productive team. However, human nature often goes in the way, resulting in mood swings and other conflicts. These obstacles are normal in any working environment, but it must be dealt with quickly and efficiently in order to prevent it from harming the business.
If an employee comes to work in a bad mood and it is affecting his/her performance, a manager must take the time to have a one-on-one discussion to pinpoint what the problems might be. A salon manager must tackle the situation head on, or else it may drag on. However, a manager should not be over-caring either, as it can have a negative impact on the team as well. But if there is no possibility for improvement, then considering to remove the troublesome person from the team becomes a necessary option.
If the employees are not getting along well with each other, a manager must find out what is the main source of the problem and see to it to speak to each employee individually so that the problems are put into light. Afterwards, the team must be briefed and explain the do's and don'ts of the business. It should be taken into consideration that a busy team is less likely to have the time to annoy each other.
Getting Supplies
From chairs to washing and drying stations, all of these could come from just one supplier or it could be multiple suppliers. Some suppliers tend to offer complimentary consulting services and may be willing to quickly provide replacement parts for broken equipment in a bid to win and retain their business.
On the other hand, smaller consumer items, such as shampoo, conditioners, brushes, pins and the like should also be regularly included in the inventory. There are much more options salon owners can choose from for these types of items, and can either go to the manufacturer directly or work with a local distributor.
There are two ways one can find a local distributor for salon equipment. The first is by searching for one personally, though in most cases this is not necessary as once word gets out the distributors themselves will approach the business. The second method is by directly searching for a local agent at a national distributor. It is crucial to make sure to compare prices before making a decision, as these distributors and manufacturers are eager to gain new customers even if it means for them to cut down on the price.
