MENU
SEARCHSalon software is so much more than a glorified appointments book. Scratch beneath the surface, and you’ll see that the real value of any salon technology system lies in the data – and the ability to drill down into your numbers and ...
Salon software is so much more than a glorified appointments book. Scratch beneath the surface, and you’ll see that the real value of any salon technology system lies in the data – and the ability to drill down into your numbers and gain valuable insights into your business.
As you might expect, some of the most critical reports are those related to staff performance. A salon is only ever as good as its people, and if you want to motivate, inspire and coach your staff to reach their full potential, data is key. Shortcuts' Paul Tate shares strategies for mining your data to motivate your team:
Fire up the reports
The great thing about technology is just how quickly and how easily you can access information, anywhere, any time. In seconds you can check the performance of each individual on your team, comparing sales, services, retail and rebooking on an hour-to-hour, day-to-day, week-to-week, month-to-month and year-to-year basis. Are they rebooking more clients in the morning, when they are fresh and less tired? Do their client satisfaction surveys tell different stories on different days of the week? Looking at the numbers will help you quickly identify patterns in behavior, and help you give constructive feedback based on concrete facts.
Benchmarking performance
One of the best ways to help strengthen your team is to identify and celebrate your top performers. A little healthy competition can be a powerful motivator when presented in a positive light, and it’s important to acknowledge and reward those staff for a job well done. Once you’ve determined your top performers, you can consider implementing initiatives in which they can help mentor and train the rest of your team.
Seeing beyond retail
Drilling down into product sales doesn’t just show which staff are selling the most retail. It will reveal other invaluable insights. Is one of your stylists or therapists selling much more of a particular product? You might be happy that there is a sale, but it could be masking a problem. Is your stylist stuck in a rut using the same old product? Will the client be happy with only this? Is the therapist uncomfortable using other products? This sort of detail can really help you plan who needs more training and in what areas.
Repeat business insight
Attracting a new client costs five times more than keeping an existing one, so retention is crucial for the health of any business. You need to be aware who on your team is keeping clients and who isn’t. Retention records will quickly reveal any problem with an individual employee. A quick summary of figures does not tell the whole story. Double-check each employee’s record regularly and then investigate why there are variations across the team.
For more information on Shortcuts, please visit www.shortcuts.net
About Shortcuts Software:
Shortcuts Software provides intuitive technology solutions to more than 14,000 clients in the hair and grooming industries worldwide. As well as providing stylish point of sale systems, Shortcuts sets itself apart by offering a complete online marketing solution built into the system, and personalized client support 24/7. Founded in 1994, Shortcuts is constantly evolving to meet the changing needs of the market. Shortcuts is powered by the largest research and development team in the industry, with Shortcuts technologies now used in 45 countries around the globe.
After moving to Colorado and teaching at a cosmetology school, Allison Stock joined Zandi K as a stylist, eventually becoming part of the Leadership Team, Education Team and Master Bridal Team. Today, as Director of Operation, Stock is Owner Nicki Wenz's right hand, managing human resources and operations, education and career development, and coaching and culture.
The company's Concealed Bead Method is raising the bar for what professional extension education can deliver.
Scott maximized her micro-salon by transitioning from stylist to strategic owner, focusing on recruiting and station-sharing. By prioritizing her ownership role over behind-the-chair work, she grew her team to six stylists within the two-chair, 150-square-foot space before eventually moving to a larger facility.
The former CFO of Perdue Farms and owner of Hardy Seafood, Terry Owens delivers a wealth of wisdom and strategies for entrepreneurs in his new book, "Business is Simple."
After scaling her single-location salon business, SALON TODAY 200 Honoree Amy Pal recently sold her six-location Whip Salon for seven figures. Using the six Ps for maximizing a business's value, she's ready to help her peers do the same.
Buried inside the One Big Beautiful Bill Act are federal solar tax credit changes that deserve your attention now. Two of the credits that matter most to commercial property owners, the Investment Tax Credit and the Production Tax Credit, are still available, but only if you move fast. A third, the Commercial Building Energy Efficiency Deduction, has a hard termination date that is closer than most people realize.
Up to 40% of hair stylists ghost the salon interview stage, leaving owners trapped playing endless phone tag with uncommitted applicants. This data-driven report breaks down why traditional job boards create recruitment friction and reveals the modern messaging strategies high-growth salons use to get pre-qualified talent to actually show up. Learn how to transition from cold calling to high-conversion conversations that protect your time and fill your chairs.
Sponsored by Beautista
Spit fests, hostile threats, and even an overachieving matchmaker--SALON TODAY readers share their craziest client tales and how their team handled these tough situations with professionalism and grace.
Keeping your appointment book full when clients are in vacation mode takes more than a good Instagram post. It takes a plan. The 2026 Summer Marketing Calendar from Meevo gives salon, spa & med spa owners a month-by-month roadmap with sharp themes, key opportunity dates, and campaign ideas specifically designed for the beauty & wellness industry. Here’s to your summer season working as hard as you do!
Sponsored by Millennium Systems International
AI is transforming the beauty and wellness industry, and the future is about empowering people, not replacing them. Discover how Phorest AI helps salons, spas, and med spas across North America respond faster, personalize every visit, and keep human connection at the heart of the client experience.
Sponsored by Phorest
Owner Michaella Blissett-Williams credits her General Manager Gloria Hortua with [salon] 718's year-over-year, double-digit growth and says she's been able to scale the company to eight locations because she can rely on Hortua to manage daily operations.
Shine Time: Aluram’s High Shine Line Delivers Moisture and Shine with Clean Ingredients
Sponsored by Aluram
Elyse Rogers is an uplifting presence at The Headroom who makes the team feel heard even in stressful situations. Owner Danielle Cherewyk sings her praises in this installment of Meet the Manager.
Despite a slight and predictable decline in client traffic for Q1, resilient pricing power is driving year-over-year revenue growth in salons. The KIM Report's Alain Audet reviews the data and what it's telling us about the state of professional beauty.
Same-store revenue grew just 2% for the second straight year—and new guest visits declined across every segment of the industry. The 2026 Benchmark Report reveals where growth is actually happening, which verticals are pulling ahead, and what the data says about where your business stands right now.
Sponsored by Zenoti
Hair restoration is entering a new era driven by regenerative science. This paper explores how Exosome technology is transforming treatment outcomes by targeting hair loss at a cellular level. Discover why EXOGROW is leading this shift.
Sponsored by Dermapenworld
A salon brand is much more than a logo. In this thought-provoking blog, Leon Alexander, Ph.D., walks you through the difference. SALON TODAY suggests sharing this article with your team and leading a discussion at your next huddle, asking the team to define your business's brand.
