Thursday 25 November 2010

Salon Seasonal pressure

Welcome to BACK2MYROOTS B2MR regular postings of fresh new topic's http://www.back2myroots.co.uk/                 

Silly Season in the salon:

As we approach this very busy season for the client it's social party work family events for us the stylist it's that balance of trying to fit everyone one in keep everyone happy, I say balance because it's so easy to get caught up in the busy rush and forget the service take short cuts over book to the extent of upsetting maybe even loosing clients.
Remember its all about time management and being organised  but also remembering you only have one pair of hands.
You still need to offer the best service experience that consultation that recommendation for products and maintenance.
A quote was posted on a group i manage yesterday: 
As a consumer. I would really appreciate if a lot more hair salon would prescribe products / recommend / give advice to help maintain or improve the condition / styling of hair.  
This was posted in response to a topic i posted but it goes to show that clients do want advice help guidance it's what they come to you the professional for.
If we get so wrapped up in the seasonal over booking something must suffer normally service!
Offering advice on products and how to maintain manage a style once home is part of the support and follow up service we should offer.
 

Yesterday someone who i class as a friend but also very much respect posted some thoughts on busy days in the salon and increasing revenue whilst still offering a service here is the link.
             http://thesalonsuccessclub.ning.com/profiles/blogs/you-can-fit-more-money-in-your
The author of this blog article Karen Lynch  offers so much wonderful help and advice to many she also publishes a book that revolves around salon Service, Consultation, Sales
http://www.doubleyoursalonsales.com/

Back to the busy season making appointments and sticking to them staying on time is key to staying in control it is the job of the receptionist to run the front desk handle clients booking, and sometimes those late arrivals that can destroy a day. for you but also all clients booked because of this one lateness the knock on effect will impact everyone i suggest a 15minuite rule later than that it's rebook for this to work you have to be consistent all year round about this policy don't implement it the weeks running up to the Christmas season. 


If you want to take advantage of all the extra season business extend your hours don't over book your day beyond what is possible work harder in December take some time in January it's all about balance
your clients will respect you much more than if you keep them waiting short change on service or make a mess through rushing.


enjoy the season embrace it stay positive have fun

http://www.back2myroots.co.uk/ 







Wednesday 3 November 2010

Hairdressing Health saftey

Welcome to BACK2MYROOTS B2MR: regular postings of fresh new topic's
http://www.back2myroots.co.uk/

Health and safety in the Salon :
Not a topic that i really ever thought worthy of writing about! that is until now this really is so very important for it effects us our clients our daily lives.
We are exposed to so many products chemical processes, we breath fumes, we handle products, we apply them onto our clients.
We expose these chemicals to heat be it from dryers to streamers to very hot ceramic irons, how often do we really take the time to think are they safe do i know what reaction may take place can i explain fully what this process is doing to my client
Do i have all the facts all the knowledge and skill to make this safe?
Going back to past topic's Service is key to success so is safety, as is the consultation for it is through consultation that we get the facts to know if a chemical process might be possible i say might be for we may still have to do skin test and or a strand test.
When i first came across the term COSHH  Control of substances hazardous to health:
I thought here we go health and safety gone wild.
More over legislation by bodies out of touch with the workings of a hairdressing salon.
Having suffered as most stylist have done with skin issues especially when training all day shampooing having breathed in way to many fumes! having coloured hair, highlighted hair, for years without wearing gloves or protection i have to say the regulations make sense.
But so much of it is common sense  I think sometimes we are put off because with all the regulations because they are written and taught to us like we are all idiots.
So we have to take control of our safety our clients safety, be sensible about products application and working environment.                           

Service and safety.
I will attempt to touch on the key issues of safety in the salon but a good guide to own maybe even have in the salon is Hairdressing the foundation NVQ has a great deal of information.

Also great site with so much information on many topic's
http://www.hair-heads.co.uk/salon-health-and-safety/coshh.php
In 1974 health and safety act was born to this day it is continually updated.
For me up dates of health and safety is key especially given the ever changing world of products available to us and how to use them.
With the high heat styling tools and flat irons we have to be aware of the danger from heat damage and also the effects from fumes when Chemistry and heat come together, this can be a danger to stylists and  clients.
Sometimes these effects are not readily noticeable we have to be aware to the danger understand the chemistry the process cause and effect.
Stay current search the internet for products reviews ask questions, be informed for both your sake and your clients: all common sense!!!!!

Heat and chemicals Fumes : breathing, vision,
I have said that service and safety go together so does consultation and safety with out doing a full in depth consultation how do you establish the history of any chemical work done on a clients head? how do you know that it will not cause a heat reaction causing hair to melt maybe even scalp burn.
If this happens you as the professional are responsible question, question, look, touch. if needed strand test. all this come sunder health safety !!!!!

Below a list of topic's all key to salon health safety, the salon and it's staff all work together so taking care of the salon making it and maintaining it as  a safe healthy palace is everyone responsibility.
Key roles such as record keeping, regular checks should be carried out by designated staff members.
As a salon owner having your self or a staff member with basic first aid is a good course of action i think everyone should do a basic first aid and CPR course well worth knowing.


Safe disposal of products chemicals old sharp objects:
Work place safety, [wet floors. fire safety, electrical, or gas]
Safe salon environment. protection, storage,
Being environmentally aware.
First aid. Training, procedures,
Health hygiene, infection, sterilisation,

The above list of subjects out lines different areas that need to be addressed the days of owning running a salon or just doing hair from home do not allow for complacency with regard to health and safety and liability issues not knowing is not an excuse when things go wrong or accidents happen!
Stay informed offer the highest standard of service in the safest setting possible.
Need help or advise contact me via my web site: thanks MikeB2MR
http://www.back2myroots.co.uk/

Wednesday 27 October 2010

Double your Salon Success

Welcome to BACK2MYROOTS B2MR Created as a source of advise education knowledge skill experience.
A place to share thoughts post comments and idea's on matters relating to hair colouring skill and techniques and anything industry related.



GET OFF THE SALES ROLLER COASTER. Is your first step to achieving consistently high salon sales.

You have way more control than you realise when it comes to managing and retaining your clients -follow every step in this book and get off the sales rollercoaster.
From increasing sales through your appointment book to your in-salon marketing system, this step by step action plan is everything will take you a whole lot closer to having the salon you only dreamed was possible

Double your salon Success now you can see a short clip[ with the Author Karen Lynch.




 I'm so excited that this material and links are now added to both my website and blog so that i can share these wonderful tools with hairdresser's stylist's trainee's
This will also provide access to the mentoring consultation program provided by and Karen and her husband David. They both have such commitment to our industry they share their vision an expertise to help other succeed. With huge success in Australia and New Zealand a growing team of business coaches. It's time to share that passion and experience with everyone looking to face challenges and create change.   




 Testimonial re Double Your Salon Success:

In writing Double Your Salon Succes, Karen Lynch shows she has a true understanding of the hairdressing world. She reveals the very essence of what makes for success by identifying the combination of service, consultation and sales that are needed to grow and be current. This book encapsulates so much of what we as stylists forget or take for granted. As Karen shares with us Pamela and Skye’s journey, she takes us on a roller coaster ride from start to finish. She reveals their struggle to make their dream a reality which is at times frustrating and emotionally upsetting and at other times exhilarating. As we read, we think “hey, that could be me; that is so right; what a great idea.” From start to finish, this book is a thought provoking and entertaining read that will leave you wanting to take the challenge to walk a new path to success.
Mike B2MR.
Mike Vallance

Saturday 28 August 2010

Fun hair!!

Welcome to BACK2MYROOTS B2MR:
Created as a source of advise education knowledge skill experience a place to share thoughts post comments and idea's on matters relating to hair colouring skill and techniques and anything industry related.

Avantgarde hair same model done for the Alternative  show Chicago charity Event










This look on the right created for the ABA the Canadian
hairdressing association put a show across the provinces each year we had the honor as the Avantgarde Artistic to have the main stage with this collection:
This look to the right was the brain storm of a dear friend former Atistic director Of Lanza USA  a master with a razor such a talent in the hair world
.





To the right slightly edgy look part of the girls being bad photo shoot!


 Above to left Part of a photo Shoot for the Uk hairdresser of the year
Above to the right  launch in Toronto of new colour line for L'oreal




To the right part of a collect i worked on with Mr Jon paul Holt owner of the Vancouver Based Avant garde: