Miss Salon to assist at the Clothes Show Live 2009!

We are very excited, for the 4th year in a row, to assist GOSH Cosmetics and Superdrug during one of the worlds largest fashion and beauty events; The Clothes Show Live!

We will also be providing superb manicures, makeovers and hair on the fabulous Superdrug show bus located in the PINK ZONE. Come along, meet the team and enjoy one of the best fashion events of the year!

From the 4th - 9th December, at the NEC, Birmingham. For more details about the Clothes Show visit www.clothesshowlive.com. Click here for more details on how to hire Miss Salon Associates for your event.

3 Steps to more confidence in business decision making!

(Article written for Professional Beauty Magazine August 2009 issue)

As the only owner of my salon business I was always left to make all the decisions, big and small. I had to deal with ‘do we go ahead and open another salon’ to ‘should we introduce the latest greatest airbrush machine’ to ‘how should we handle a member of staff who is a great operator but keeps taking an unlimited number of breaks every day!’ I was often under pressure to respond quickly… I was often under pressure period! No one else but you really understands the number of different things that you have to consider at every moment. It’s similar to when children ask (demand!) another ice-cream from their mum; they don’t know that you may be thinking about their teeth rotting, the dwindling budget, the tone of the request and the fact that they’ll spoil their appetite for dinner! To them it may seem that the only factor to consider is whether you’ve got £1.50 on you or not! Simple!

To be honest with you, I ran around like a headless chicken for the first year and half of my business, just trying to please everyone. Always wanting to have a solution, an answer to every problem and request. I soon realized it was an impossible task and that I needed to become more strategic about the business and therefore what all the businesses decisions were to be based on. My solution, through study and research, was to create a Strategy Statement; a statement about the business that outlined the goals of the salons and how we were going to go about achieving those goals. That way, when a new issue arouse I would refer back to the strategy statement and make my decision based on whether or not it was inline with the plan!

Ultimately the thing about making decisions is that they are supposed to bring about the results that you are looking for. So as one of my famous mentors Stephen Covey says in his book ‘The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People’, “Begin with the end in mind”. Think first about where you are trying to get to and plot your way back.
Being strategic and running your business with your end goal in mind is sure to keep you in business for longer and help you maximize your profitability. I found that I became much more careful about how much I spent on shop-fits, new equipment and stock for example. Also I was able to keep the team focused on a goal and therefore better prepared mentally to maintain standards and hit those all-important targets!

So here are my the 3 steps to more confidence in business decision making…

1. Have a business strategy; long-term and short-term - understand what you actually want from your business on a day-to-day, year-by-year basis.

2. Don’t get distracted from your goal when new things are thrown at you. Understand what impact the new issue will have on your goals and priorities problem-solving accordingly.

3. Be cool… you don’t have to answer or decide things straight away… you can say “Let me get back to you on that”


Kick-Start Your Salon Into Profit booklet
Open Your Own Salon... The Right Way! handbook


GOOD LUCK!
Ego Iwegbu-Daley
ego@misssalon.com

Managing your team… without losing your mind!

(Article written for Professional Beauty Magazine July 2009 issue)

Managing your team has absolutely got to be the toughest job of any salon owner or manager! I tell you, in my first years in business, there were days when I thought I was going to lose my mind! If it wasn't absenteeism it was lateness, if it wasn't lateness it was moaning and complaining about something or other.

Hoping that everyone else in the business would just use 'common sense' to get on with things was a big mistake! For example, there was a day when I walked into the salon to find one of the nail stations covered in nail filings, a used paper towel and an open bottle of cuticle oil, just lying there for all to see; and about three technicians doing nothing! Could it be that they didn't see it, or did they think it wasn't their job to tidy up after a service or could it be that to them it wasn't unsightly? At this point however, it is difficult to handle the situation in a rational manner; especially of you’re a bit hotheaded like me!

Well I learnt the hard way that people management, especially in a service driven business, is a tough job and that I needed to re-evaluate my skills and my approach... fast! The fact is that nobody (except a golden few) will love your business the way you do. You are the person to decide and, crucially, train your team in the ways of your salon. You might already know that and think that it is an obvious statement to make but what I am talking about is the very big difference between ad-hoc, on-the-spot, as-and-when training and the 'dishing-out' of instructions versus a structured training programme and mapped-out processes for your salon!

After my first year and on the verge of opening my second salon I decided to dedicate a few months to studying how stores like Topshop and Selfridges (where my shops were located) managed so many people; how they chose and brought new people into the business, the information and instructions new starters received, how daily tasks were completed, how responsibility was distributed and so on. I created station-start-and-end checks, staff handbooks that formed part of their contracts, a training programme, a salon operations manual, health & safety inductions, new-starter packs and more... and OMG how things changed for the better! Since then these documents and many more have been perfected and are available to you through www.misssalon.com.

So get organised and start to reap the rewards of an 'emotionally stable' team! Here are 3 things you can do today to get going:

1 - Choose the right people from the start! Have a clear and robust recruitment process that includes crucial criteria for every candidate. Be selective, image you are choosing a flatmate!

2 - Create a ‘task-rota’ so as to reduce the need for your daily input into delegation and empower the team to function without you.

3 - Have regular, inspiring team meetings to praise openly, check on the team and talk about the future and direction of the business.

Join us on facebook!

Good luck and be cool!
Ego Iwegbu-Daley

Why Can Managing A Salon Team Be So Difficult?

Looking at the typical salon setup, where the business owner is also the salon manager, the job of management as well as leadership falls on one person.

Why is that worth pointing out? Well, because the skills and personality attributes required to manage and those required to lead are quite different but when properly combined can be the key to successfully owning a profitable and smooth running salon.

A manager is task orientated, they have daily jobs to complete, so they delegate tasks, tell people what to do, handle issues, complete paperwork and maintain processes. A leader on the other hand decides, based on an overall view of the business and its direction, what those jobs will be. A better way of explaining this is the ladder and wall example - The manager works out how best to climb the ladder and coordinates the climbing of the ladder while the leader makes sure it's leaning against the right wall! But there is something else a leader does, away from the ‘operations’ of a business, and that is to instill enthusiasm and passion in his/her followers; followers being people that have bought into their idea and want to be part of it.

Many salon owners, myself included, have not been to management school and so find themselves in deep water when faced with a full team of people as well as a salon to run and promote! It is usually a very steep learning curve! In my case, I learnt quite early on that I was a better leader than a manager and as such spent time seeking out people with skills that complemented my own to create a balance. I was lucky to have found some of the best managers and together we created salons that were both exciting and as well as organized.

Ultimately the best managers and leaders are the ones who realize that their team members are their 'customers' and that it is their job to help their people succeed in doing the work. By thinking in this way, managing the team is less about dishing-out instructions or being endlessly busy with paperwork, but more about winning hearts and minds and effectively sharing the work through planning, fair delegation and training. Be a better manager and leader today, try some of our products!

Miss Salon Live on radio!

Hello Everyone!
We are really (really) excited to announce our new online radio channel on Blog Talk Radio! We will broadcast our first show this Friday the 8th at 4pm GMT! Visit Time Zone Converter to get the time in your city.

Miss Salon Radio click here to listen in!

Ego Iwegbu-Daley will be interviewed by Clarence Nappier, a US based business consultant on the subjects most effecting salon owners today. Apart from many other talents, Clarence has a unique and effective way of bringing new clients into a salon! We liked this so much that we decided to partner with Clarence in our quest to help salon owners run the best businesses they can.

Listen in and even call in during the show to ask any questions!!
Miss Salon Live on Blog Talk Radio - Friday 8th, 4pm GMT

"...be successful"

The Salon - a unique platform from which to retail...

I once met a salon owner who said to me “...retailing in the salon business is a mistake; no one comes to a salon to buy products.” Well I can’t tell you my horror! If you are like her then I suggest you give yourself a good shake, wake-up and listen to this... “Retailing is the only way to truly be successful in the salon business!!”

I opened my first salon completely not appreciating the importance of retail - I thought the treatments would make enough money. I soon realised this was a mistake and started trying to rectify the situation by creating displays and incentives for the team. Eventually the salon started retailing quite well, or so I thought... When I opened my second salon, I was lucky enough and through no conscious effort of my own to have two people join the team from pure retail backgrounds. Well it was phenomenal how the retail sales figures just shot up! We went from about 7% to around 30% after they joined! Yes, wow! That’s what you get when you know how to sell! Of course their abilities were inspirational and therefore infectious - everyone could see that selling wasn’t impossible!

If you personally have had average or limited success in retailing products then I can understand if you feel that this area of salon business is difficult - you don’t quite get it. You find that you generally avoid the subject and look to ‘blame’ the lack of sales on the client type, your location, the economy... anything but you!

So first things first, remove any personal mental blocks you may have about retailing in your salon and understand that salons offer a great and unique platform from which to sell!

Find out how to sell more products today...
KICK-START YOUR SALON INTO PROFIT! £14.99 and we are told, worth every penny!

...be successful x

Miss Salon™ Info Pack 2009

Everything you need to know about us and our services - Download our new Miss Salon Info Pack here!









Miss Salon Salon Business Consultants
...the help that you have been waiting for.

Be successful!

Miss Salon Associates Damali, Marquee, Kate and Kam worked the Bourjois Studio stand at the Vitality Show 2009! They did 100's of makeovers and sold loads of products! Excellent work girls! Even our very own Margaret Mensah helped out on the Saturday but due to how busy they were not a single picture was taken... booo! Anyway, here's what we did get...























































Comments from the Bourjois PR Executive...
"Event went really well and the girls were fantastic! We had some great feedback from the consumers, and people said the artists weren't patronising, and they didn't feel embarrassed having their make-up done. All in all, it was a great show, and really appreciate your help!"

Contact Miss Salon on 0845 643 1619 if you have an event that you need to staff. We only use the best beauty professionals. www.misssalon.com

Shop Front – The Window To Your Business

The saying goes that the eyes are the window to your soul... For your salon, your shop front is the window to your business. Does your shop front communicate to passers-by a true reflection of your business? I would not be surprised if the answer to that question is "No!"... I can't tell you how many salons let themselves down with messy, junkyard style windows and shop fronts! This is truly unfortunate.

I've seen many shop fronts with everything from Blu-Tack used to display mostly irrelevant posters - irrelevant in this case meaning completely unexciting to a potential client, to sign-boards that are tired and dirty, to strings of either illegible or boring text. I've even seen some with the fax number displayed, as if this number has any relevance whatsoever to a potential client.

Now don't get me wrong, I know it's hard to run your own business. I know that most salon owners have to be head of marketing, HR, admin, finance, stock control, training and more all in one - all the time, and this is not easy. But if you let the 'on-going advert' that is your shop front, deteriorate, you may soon find that new business through your door dwindles. Because apart from the fact that a confused and messy shop front is unappealing it also suggests that making an effort is just not something you specialize in!

Anyway, enough of the badgering, I think I've made my point! What's the cost effective solution?

Firstly, have a good think about your salon - what is it that you do really well; what is it that you specialize in? Is it clear to a person who has 2 seconds to look at your window that you are, for example, experts in Acrylic or that your team are award winning techs and your client’s delight in their nails after every visit? Create a short but powerful strap-line that articulates the best of your business… “Perfect speedy manicures that are worth every penny!”

Secondly, list the treatments or products you offer that are new, unique or just plain popular. Are these obvious to the passing trade? Make a power list of 3 of these items… Perfect Pedicures | Threading | Botox®. If your prices are also an attraction you can list them along side the items.

Third, remove every item stuck on your shop front and give it a proper wash - inside and out!

Now that you have a clean palette, you can start from the beginning and design your shop front as you would your website! Do a mock drawing of your shop front on paper first, including the sign, the door, window, etc. Have your strap-line and power list created from adhesive vinyl lettering; this can cost as little as £70 (try www.stickair.com). Remember to choose the colour and font carefully to match your logo and shop design. Place these key attractions on your sparkling clean window and if you must display posters, make sure they are relevant and at least use the double-sided clear sticky dots, available at stationers, which are much more discreet.

Do these things to help you create a more appealing shop front on a shoestring budget and increase your chances of attracting new clients through your door in these tough economic times.

If you need assistance to start your own salon or are unsure about how to improve your current salon business contact Miss Salon on 0845 643 1619 or email misssalon@misssalon.com

Kick-Start Your Salon Into Profit... fast!

Another excellent salon business book for salon owners and mangers! Full of real life examples and scenarios, this booklet will give you a new way of seeing your salon and the steps to implementing profitable change.

These 10-Steps to profitability will take you through a diagnostic approach, looking at key elements of your business, which will uncover crucial opportunities for improvement.


Step 1 - What Do Your Customers Need?
Step 2 - Find The Good, The Bad & The Ugly
Step 3 - Know Your Costs!
Step 4 - Assess Your Team & Review Your Management Style
Step 5 - Check Your Reception Desk & Booking Process
Step 6 - Is The Stage Set - Can The Show Begin?
Step 7 - Attracting Customers & Creating Brand Ambassadors
Step 8 - Sell Sell Sell!
Step 9 - www.What-Does-Your-Website-Do-For-You.com
Step 10 - Staying In Control

TAKE CONTROL IN 10-STEPS

How healthy is your salon business?

With the state of the economy on everyone’s mind and things looking a little bleak, it may be that you are worrying about your business and how best to ensure it survives the recession.

Well before making any plans and taking any actions you should get a full understanding of how well you are doing now. So, first things first, assess where you are and how strong your position is in the market by doing a SWOT analysis; this is a meticulous look at the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats associated with your business. The Strengths and Weaknesses will be things that come from within your business and the Opportunities and Threats will be external factors that affect or may affect your business.

I know that most small business owners do not seriously consider producing business plans, marketing plans and doing SWOT analysis as they all seem over‐the-top and not like real business; just a load of paperwork and theory. Whilst I agree that one of the greatest skills a business owner has is the ability to ‘get‐on’ and make things happen in the ‘real world’, it must be said that taking some timeout to thoroughly work through a strategy and write down some plans can save a lot of ‘headless chicken’ actions!

Here are some examples of Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats…

Strengths – What is really good about your salon business (internal)?
• Salon has a great atmosphere; clients always seem to enjoy their visits.
• Salon has a loyal client base.
• Salon has excellent technicians/operators.
• Salon is well located.

Weaknesses – What are its limitations? Where could it grow or do better (internal)?
• You have a weak approach to marketing; hence very few new clients.
• You are the most popular tech or therapist and client’s always/only want you.
• Always experience poor/average product sales.
• Salon interior is out of date.
• Customers have difficulty finding the salon; salon isn’t ideally located.
• Limited floor space; always a struggle to add new treatments.

Opportunities – What opportunities has your business been or could be presented
with (external)?
• Could add extra treatments.
• Could rent out top floor.
• Could create bespoke treatment packages for local businesses.
• Could merchandise products more effectively.

Threats – What are the worst‐case scenarios for your business and how will you
address them (external)?
• Lease about to expire and landlord may not renew.
• Rents and/or business rates about to rise dramatically.
• The business is in negative cash flow.

These will be different for different salons and situations, but doing a thorough SWOT analysis will give you a methodical way of working‐out what is really great about your business, what isn’t so great and where you may be missing out on crucial opportunities. It will also help you prioritise where you need to focus your time and energy for maximum profit and long‐term success. It may be difficult, but be as objective about your business as possible; especially with its weaknesses ‐ image you are looking at another business and not your own. It’s only through being thorough that you will give yourself the opportunity to improve or even eradicate the bad bits, while securing and growing the great bits!

Do your own analysis and make the most of your business today!

If you need assistance to start your own salon or are unsure about how to improve
your current salon business and overcome any of its weaknesses or threats visit
www.misssalon.com or call us on 0845 643 1619.

GOOD LUCK!!!

A Free Invitation From Miss Salon To Professional Beauty 2009

We have 12 free invitations for the Professional Beauty Exhibition 2009 to give to our clients. Entry to the event is £20 but we would like you to visit for free with our invitations. The deadline is the 31st January (3 days!) so please take advantage of this invaluable gift from us and visit one of the best events on earth for salon owners or aspiring salon owners! It's first come, first serve, so hurry! Click here to register for invite...

Event details:-
Professional Beauty Exhibition 2009
Professional Beauty is the country's biggest health and beauty show. From skincare, aromatherapy & make-up, professional equipment & salon supplies to nails & indoor tanning, you'll find everything you need for your business. It is open to trade visitors from the health and beauty industry and takes place at London's ExCeL from 1-3 March 2009. For more information visit www.professionalbeauty.co.uk/london

We will be at stand number R57 so do come by and say hello!... we would love to meet you.

Best regards,
Miss Salon

Link for your free invitation...
www.professionalbeauty.co.uk/london/Misssalon

2009... Make it count!

How can I ensure my business survives the economic downturn?
This must be the primary focus on the minds of most business owners; large and small. So rather than wait around for fate to decide, as a salon owner, now is the time to take matters into your own hands and steer your ship through the rough seas!

Tough times or not, the ultimate goal for any business is to maximize income whilst keeping costs low, without compromising on quality. Maximizing income includes getting regulars back into your salon as often as possible and getting new business through the door – in a nutshell, attracting customers. I think it goes without saying that if you’re not doing a good job, you’re not going to get much repeat business, so first and foremost, ensure that any services and treatments you offer are excellent and customer service is of a very high standard.

Attracting customers is a marketing function which requires thought and persistence. With most salon owners working on the shop-floor, caught-up in the day-to-day operations and staffing issues of the business; there always seems little time at the end of the day to think creatively about what needs to be done to ensure a continuous flow of clients. This means that many salon owners do not actively or effectively market their businesses; seeing it as a luxury and not a necessity and therefore never giving, this all-important function, the time and thought it needs. If you are guilty of this, stop today and make a decision to start marketing your salon properly, as it is one of the most important things you can do for your business.

Here are a few ways to start actively trying to attract customers to your salon:-

• Text all your clients whenever you have availability for a specific treatment or service they’d enjoy; for example – Hello Maureen, just a quick text to let you know that we are available today to give you that cut and colour you’ve been thinking about. Give us a call.

• Create eye-catching headlines for you client mail-shots, A-boards, window signs and leaflets; for example – Did you eat and drink too much over Christmas? Come in for a free skinny hot chocolate and some hot tips for a detox. Or, Wish you could have a hair makeover like on TV? Come in today to meet our expert makeover team! Or, Dry feet? Chilly toes? Enjoy a hot softening foot soak plus perfect polish pedicure for just £25... it's what you have been waiting for!

• Have a party; invite past clients, passers-by and local offices to enjoy a drink and meet the 2009 A-Team!

Once in the door, you and your team must be geared up to providing these potential clients with as much information as possible in the friendliest and most welcoming manner! Then of course it is absolutely paramount that you deliver on your offer and your promise; give them the best treatment they’ve ever had! They’ll have no choice but to come back to you… why would they want to waste their precious money anywhere else!

For more on how to create an effective marketing plan, kick-start your salon into profit or open your own salon, talk to Miss Salon on 0845 643 1619.

Kick-Start Your Salon Into Profit Fast!
The 10-step action plan for beauty salons, day spas, barbershops, nail salons and hair salons £14.99 – This booklet is available from 19 January.

Open Your Own Salon… The Right Way!
The complete step by step guide to planning, launching and managing your own salon business £49.99 (paperback) – available from Amazon.co.uk / £45.00 (ebook) – available from misssalon.com

Good luck!