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