Salon IQ

We speak with our special guest Cara who is an educator at SalonIQ.

Cara has been at the forefront of working and helping many, many Salon Owners during the pandemic of Covid-19 and lockdown. 

Cara gives her view on what salons have been doing during this time as well as a little personal tip which we love, listen to find out more!

How many times have you heard the saying, life is what you make it?

I know I have heard this so many times, but only recently has the true meaning of this statement really meant something to me.

Listen to SalonIQ's amazing start to 2021...

Yes 2020 has ben a very different year but that doesn't mean to say we can't have a great Christmas. 

If you haven't done so already now is the time to plan, plan your rosters, party packages (albeit virtual parties) and much much more!

What is your retention percentage?

If you don't yet know then you could be missing out on looking after your existing clients.

This episode looks at a sequence of SMS and emails that truly work and are working right now for many salons using SalonIQ.

Our latest podcast talks through the various ways you can manage your cancellations during lockdown. 

We may not have the green flag right now to re-open our doors however, you can certainly start planning for it to ease the pressure a little when you do re-open.

Editorial and video also available on this subject here -> https://saloniq.com/managing-your-cancellations/

Do you want the busiest Christmas you have ever had?

If your answer is yes then you need to listen to this Podcast to make sure you have everything covered and more!

I'm sure you are like me in that if something isn't written down or you do not get a reminder there is a chance you will forget?

This episode takes you through clients that you have looked after in the last 6 months and what you should do to get them into the salon for the last quarter of 2019

If this is you, then you need to re-think...

Christmas is fast approaching now we are on the later part of this year, so no doubt you will only be working more and more hours over the festive season. 

Be prepared this Christmas and try not to burn yourself out.

This episode talks you through what you need to think about when it comes to your salon opening hours and team rosters...

Online bookings are a MUST...

Did you know 33% of your clients book online when you are closed! (At time of writing)

And that number is only going to increase more and more as time goes on.

This Podcast is a must to listen to, it focuses on online bookings for Christmas however the information in this episode really should be standard through out the whole year. 

A MUST LSTEN TO

There is nothing better than getting everyone together and getting into the festive spirit.

A Christmas shopping event for your clients can be what it takes to kick start your Christmas sales. 

Why not get your local businesses involved too, listen to this podcasts to find out all the details of this great Christmas event that you can do in your salon too!

October and November are always busy times for us in the industry with lots of salon events and awards happening. 

From Salon international to Business counts and NHF awards to name a few.

Take a listen on this podcast to find out about the dates of certain events

What is the dream? I guess you'd get a different answer depending on who you ask, right?

What does a work/life balance really mean?

Life can be difficult for both the old and the young.

We get a little insight into how Karen who is 21 years old manages the balance her way.

1,200 clients and a support team with 1 goal...to do their best - how would you plan, manage and organise your day?

Now that's a question...but can you answer it straight away. Where are you right now in your mindset?

This Podcast breaks down the 3 main areas of mindset;

1. Technician - Doing the job

2. Manager - Ensuring the job is getting done

3. Entrepreneur - Research's the industry, finding out what's going on out there

Wheredo you fit in right now? Maybe you could say that you are doing all 3 but more than likely running around like a headless chicken and spreading yourself too thinly. 

I'd love to know how you manage your mindset and where you sit yourself.

So today we have focused on your Purpose, Vision and Mission.

It can seem a very daunting topic, however one that is so important and could see you make or break. 

Purpose - What is your purpose? Why do you do what you do?

Vision/Mission - Both of these can overlap but are just as important as one another.For your vision you need to thin BIG.  Vision is your goal, it is your statement of what you want and what you are aiming for. Your mission statement supports your vision. 

Disney is a great example of this.

Disney Purpose - "Bringing a smile to a Childs face" It's really nothing complicated is it?

Disney Vision/Mission - To be one of the world's leading producers and providers of entertainment and information, using its portfolio of brands to differentiate its content, services and consumer products.

So who is Cara? 

What does she do? 

What's her background?

We find out a little more about our wonderful educator Cara from starting off as an assistant learning the trade to coaching teams at Carphone Warehouse and now she sees herself on the road helping Salon Owners run their business more smoothly, taking away the everyday stresses with the help of easy to use salon software.

An early morning start with a trek under the streets of London, then onto Virgin to the city of Manchester.

It's amazing how much work you can get done when others no your are busy, although it was 7 hours of travelling to get to a meeting it was 7 hours of travelling well spent. 

Wifi connection and Starbucks coffee in hand what more could you ask for?

We all have good intentions to make that call and learn a little more about a certain topic. However getting round to it sometimes just takes forever or doesn't even happen. 

That's OK, life does get in the way.

Account reviews do not need to be stressful or long winded - here at Salon iQ we make them easy and focus on the areas you want to talk about.

If there is something we feel you are missing that could have a big impact on the results you are getting from your Salon Software then of course we will certainly mention them.

Contact Rhea 01892 280123 or email rhea@saloniq.com

26% of bookings are made when your salon is closed. True or False?

Do you offer your clients to book appointments in your hair and beauty salon when you are closed?

To keep your salon consistent without declining in client numbers and without any growth - how many clients do you need in your salon each week/month?

You may be surprised at the answer - listen to the Podcast to find out.

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We went live with our webinar today on the Hub and have already had some great feedback, did you register and watch? If you missed it don't panic, will tell you how to watch it.

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Apple or Pear? It's definitley Apple but with non existent customer service at Carphone Warehouse - no proof of purchase  and no phone. What will happen next?

Booking Apps' are the way forward when it comes to making reservations whether that be for hotels, restaurants or hair and beauty appointments. 

At Salon iQ we create Salon App's designed to suit and show off your salon. Plus you can decide if you want your clients to also purchase gift cards, make deposits and track loyalty points on the App.

In this Podcast Rhea our App Guru tells us a little more about your booking app.

I was finding that I didn't even have the time to plan, let alone plan for it to be successful.

How do you plan for a successful month? Do you just have your fingers an toes crossed and hope for the best?

In this episode I discuss my experience with customer service that I had today and how I was encouraged to go else where...but why?

Customer service - how do you compare?

Do you go the extra mile?

Are you willing to help your clients when they have an enquiry?

Delegation can be a tough thing but the best thing when done right.

It takes time to let go of certain tasks but if it means getting the job done then why wouldn't you?

A day at Buxted Hotel with action coach planning our next 90 Days is the perfect day for me...

Recruitment - Potential employees not turning up for trades tests - How do you find aiming team members for your Salon?

When did you last have a good look around your salon and actually notice the smaller things that you perhaps wouldn't notice nut someone walking into your salon for the first time would?

Yes the frustration of ensuring our education is spot on is real...

Do you feel the same as me being sandwiched between two lorries on the M25...I hate it!

A pretty good day in the office - organise chaos and prepping for planning...if that makes sense!

A creative day in the salon and do you feel like a counsellor sometimes?

What do you talk about with your clients?

Do you always try to ensure the topic of the conversations is on hair and beauty or do you talk about their personal lives?

Colour Phlex have you used it?

Do you run a salon membership plan already?

They are such a great idea with many benefits for both Salon Owners and our clients.

Take a listen to this podcast now to find out some more...

Lettuce and Hair is there a connection or have I gone mad? I know it sounds crazy, right? You have to listen to this Podcast to find out more. and decide for yourself!

A membership area within Salon iQ...hmmm?

Instagram followers and social media, what is in front of you right now that will get you results - don't reinvent the wheel

We have now added a contact form for Salon Owners - having this form complete allows us to contact you when we need to.

It could be on our latest new features we have developed for you, industry news or notes of the next release.

PLUS

How would you like an email once per week directly to your inbox giving you key information about your salons perforce for the week and the forecast for the week ahead? Listen now...

So as you know being a business owner or manager a day off doesn't really exist.

You are always needing to be on the end of the phone or keeping on top of emails that ping in your inbox throughout the day. 

In this episode I talk about planning my week ahead a little more plus how my constant urge for learning has involved me carrying books with me where ever I go.

Time management is something we all struggle with and something we can always continually learn and improve on.

I have come to the conclusion that one single person such as you or me can not do EVERYTHING. Delegation is so important when it comes to moving your salon business forward and getting the job done in a. good time frame.

Do you prepare for your following week ahead at work? Or do you just see what happens?

From working every single Saturday for the last 16 years since I left school to now wondering what to do with my time on a Saturday has left me feeling a little lost.

In this episode I put forward the question to all Salon Owners and Salon Managers and ask how you managed the transition of spending less time in the salon as a hair stylist / beauty therapist.

I did not think I'd have such. realisation today on the reports Salon iQ offers to all our salons.

Having salons ourselves I thought we had everything in place when it came to reporting, I couldn't have been more wrong!

What is it like juggling all tasks when you have limited time in your hair and beauty salon?

Getting my head down and welcoming all our guests into the salon is my main goal for a Thursday. 

Catching up on admin and paying bills is also a Thursday goal in-between the gaps of quiet times. 

However when you have multiple projects on the go and are super passionate about your job things can become challenging.