MY HUSBAND JON IS something of a tech gadget nut. He’s a little famous at my daughter’s high school for being the dad who flew the drone with the camera over the crowd at the school’s 24-Hour Relay last year and gave everyone a sky-cam view. And, this past weekend, he attached his GoPro camera onto our Goldendoodle Scotch’s collar before we let him loose on the dog beach for a hilarious canine-filled romp through the surf. Although we experienced both of those events in person, the unique camera angles gave us a totally different perspective when we viewed those same moments on our television screen later.

That’s what this month’s issue is really about—giving you an opportunity to alter your perspective on your business. For three salon owners, that happened almost overnight and in the most abrupt way when up to a third of their incoming revenue walked out the door as their staff members left to join new rental opportunities. If that hasn’t happened to you yet, it might just be a matter of time—as industry expert Cyrus Bulsara points out, chair/suite rental is the fastest-growing sector of the professional salon industry. Fortunately, for these three owners, walkout spelled a happy ending, for it gave them a chance to build a stronger, leaner and meaner business as they refocused on systems, talent development, and building their brands and their culture.

So this month, I challenge you to change your perspective and look at your business through the eyes of the following.

A PROSPECTIVE CLIENT. Does your salon appear clean; professional, appealing and inviting?

A PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYEE. Do you offer education and a competitive compensation and benefits package? Do you have a clear system for growth and development in place?

A CURRENT EMPLOYEE. Do you create an environment that fosters creativity, and establishes and rewards goals?

A CURRENT GUEST. Do you continue to create new experiences for long-term guests and offer them choices in styles, services and products?

THE COMMUNITY. What’s your reputation—are you a respected establishment in town, a good neighbor?

If you have trouble seeing your business through someone else’s eyes, then hand out some video cameras and invite people to film your salon through their own perspective—it’s sure to give you a fresh one.

Stacey Soble                                                                                                                                      

Editor-in-Chief                                                                                                                                  

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