Remaining organized, continuing to reach audiences, and managing relationships effectively are things business owners everywhere are frantically juggling ever since this pandemic hit. However, these are practices they shouldn’t be doing only because COVID-19 showed up. These are disciplines they should have been doing the whole time. All of the recent stressors in our world is simply bringing them back into the light.
Since joining Millennium in February, I’ve had a front-row seat to watching the salon and spa industry attempt to pivot and stay afloat and it has given me a unique perspective as to what business owners are (and should be) prioritizing. The tips that follow here are the business truths and solutions I’ve come across while speaking with and learning from colleagues, friends, and other business owners in the salon and spa space. All that to be said, they can certainly be translated to suit any industry and should be adhered to during all seasons of life.
Communication
Stay in communication with your customers and employees! Many companies are pivoting and innovating their offerings to be accessible despite social distancing guidelines, but if you weren’t already in constant communication with your clients, now is your opportunity to fine-tune your marketing messaging or brush up on email or text marketing regardless of world affairs.
Reporting
Utilize reporting tools to crunch the numbers and see how your business is performing is a regular practice every business owner should adopt regardless of what is going on in the world. Making time for reporting and “understanding the numbers” is like a guaranteed dig for gold. Use the numbers you discover to reset goals, schedules, and expectations that will need to be met once you are allowed to reopen your doors (number of customers per day, sanitation regulations, etc.). You may also find new ways to create revenue to make up for the lost time.
Boost Morale
Keeping your employees happy should always be a top priority. However, right now it is especially so. Creating intentional time outside of video meetings and calls is a unique opportunity to show your employees just how much you care, despite the unfortunate circumstances they may find themselves in. Whatever your method, make sure to check in with your employees regularly. The possibilities are endless: Zoom, text, phone calls, email, social media, and more. People require leadership in times of crisis and the presence of an owner or CEO can go a long way.
I am a firm believer that this will pass and we will all be better making it through adverse times. However, in good times and not so good, these practices are timeless.
