There are many variables in our lives. Things and situations we think we cannot control. Well outside of the weather, most things are well within our control. For example, I was talking to a friend the other day who has had a string of bad relationships, to quote her "I just attract the wrong type of guys, I have the worst luck." I simply replied that while that is sad, she does not attract them, she chooses them. The one constant variable in every one of her relationships was her. She selected her partner, accepted their behavior, and her ego allowed her to believe she could change the person she was with. People do not change for people, they can either choose to grow and improve or remain where they are.
So how does this mindset pertain to the salon world? Let us start with re-booking and client retention. The most common excuse, "My clients just will not re-book, they cannot, but they will be back." Clients and consumers will make every effort when they have been floored by a service and treatment the received during that service. People will revisit and make efforts to re-live an enjoyable experience. So why do some stylists have waiting lists and others are just waiting? It is not the client. It is the stylist. If a client is not treated with 100% a 100% of the time, they will simply find someone who will. The choice to make that effort is the stylist and stylist alone. I have heard a million times over the last 15 years, "She said she would call when she is ready." Hmmm, will she? Or was it a polite brush off? A client left on his/her own will visit a salon 4-5 times less a year...Now if you have 50 clients on your book that do this every year you now have shorted yourself 250 appointments for the year, that's 250 people who will not tip you, you will not make commission's on, or get referrals from. To speak financially about it, if half of that 250 are color clients, and you charge $55 for an all over color and are a 50% commission scale...you just lost $3437.35 in income (plus tips).
So how much control do you want to have? Your professional behavior will reflect your personal, and vice versa. Start with the mind set that everything in your life starts and ends with you. You are sum total of your decisions and reactions to situations. Now this is not to say that if you focus really really hard, and tell each client when you need to see them again, they all will magically re-book. But much more will by asking then not asking. It can be frustrating. I am not saying it will be easy, but once you create the habit it will become a part of who you are.
In any situation be certain that you will benefit and that you can contribute. Because if you do not, you blame the circumstance or the other party. It all begins and ends with you. Personally I can look back on mistakes I have made and tell myself, yea that one is on me, I made bad choices. Not being perfect is ok, not striving and learning is not.
So learn, study, and give every client everything you have. There is too much competition not to. Your ability to listen and act accordingly will serve you well in life. But remember it is a learned skill. Not many people are born with the ability to make correct decisions all the time. But if you focus and stay focused on this it will get easier. Be the professional you are and be treated and treat people like the amazing human being you are or are becoming. Never settle.
The Salon Guy
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