Posted on

Communication – 6 Things Every Salon Owner or Manager Should Know

Communication is a simple concept and in theory should be easily achieved, however in reality it’s one of the most difficult skills to master. More of an art form than a science; communication is about knowing how to express ideas. When done verbally, as we usually do in salons, communication is more about how to listen, understand, encourage, and influence. Here are several techniques to help improve your communication skills. Always Be Positive Communication can be positive or negative through both verbal communication and body language. Listeners can sense negative thoughts and feelings and will tend to react accordingly, so think before you speak. Also, be conscious of your body language, as it’s more obvious than you think. Be Enthusiastic Passion comes through when a person is really excited about whatever they are talking about. It’s not really possible to win favor with someone when you are not excited about the topic yourself. Engage and enthuse your listener with your own excitement. Side Step Being Condescending Make every effort to avoid talking down to anyone, no matter your position or rank. Remember that employees are your greatest assets and for them to be enthusiastic for you and your business, they need to feel appreciated and part of the daily operations. Unhappy employees move on or become negative in the work environment, which in turn affects your daily operations and eventually your customers. Listen, Listen, Listen In order to communicate effectively, listening must be a big part of the equation, even if you disagree with the other person or persons. If you are not truly listening to the other side, you’ll miss opportunities to consider another perspective, but also to allow employees to contribute to the business and feel appreciated. Keep an Open Mind There is usually more than one opinion on any subject or way of doing any task. Being open-minded during the communication process means that you are considering the best option to whatever you are discussing. Effective communication also allows others to be heard and their ideas to be considered. Be Thoughtful & Say the Right Thing In business, people often forget the feelings of others. We all like to be treated in a certain way and employees and customers are no different. In addition to listening to contributions that others may have, also take the time to say; “please, thank you, and you’re welcome” at every possible opportunity (and mean it). A little appreciation really does go a long way! In a nutshell, effective communication can improve your employee relations, your salon’s daily operations and your bottom line. It does not always come easy, but the end result is well worth the effort: Happier employees, happier work environment, happy clients, and eventually a better bottom line. Simple stuff!

Leave a Reply