Making Change

Hi,

Your salon is about to go through some changes. The most interesting question is,

“Will you drive the change or will the change drive you?”

Even though nearly everyone on the planet has heard, “The only constant is change,” not everyone is willing to accept it. If you are willing to accept it, to then embrace it, and then to become the driving force behind it then you are someone who is truly capable of creating a powerful brand and a thriving salon.

We can’t assume your staff will adopt change willingly, easily, or elegantly—even if that is what we are hoping for and working toward. So, let’s use the basic principles of change management to help us bring about the kind of change that will help you accelerate your Vision.

Awareness. Share your understanding of why the change is needed. For example, “Stimulated by the recession and...we have been thinking about our salon and how to deliver even better service, attract and retain clients, and make it an even better place to work. The approach we are taking is to go through a process of branding our salon and creating something that is compelling, unique, and sustainable for many years to come....”

Desire. Develop a desire in your staff to support and participate in the change. Tell a story, using real and well understood examples, of how adapting to the coming changes will benefit them personally. For example, “We all know that having a fun, drama-free, and fun place to work is something we have in common. In order to make sure we continue to be that place, we need to make these changes... If you work together with us our clients will benefit, the salon will benefit, and you will benefit.” (Go on to use real, examples focused on 3-4 of the people on your staff—kind of like when Jimmy Stewart is trying to stall the run on his bank in “It’s a Wonderful Life.” He speaks to several of the townspeople by name, citing example after example how the bank helped them and why they should see helping the bank as being in their own best interests. (I’m sorry, did I just use an anecdote that involved and insolvent bank? Whoops.)

Knowledge. Give them the knowledge about how to change. Let them know that over the next minutes, days, and weeks you will be sharing everything they need to know to transform your salon into a brand. Let them know it will consist of these phases:
• Defining and sharing important strategic decisions such as Purpose, Vision, Brand Promise, and Mission.
• Creating and perfecting the Transformative Client Experience and practicing it each and every day.
• Changing the way we think about retail and the role it plays in the lives of our clients.
• Promoting the salon in new and consistent ways that will result in increased business for everyone.
• Implementing new management processes to ensure the brand is improved, clients are better served, and everything is more efficient and effective.

Ability. Reassure them that you will help them develop the new skills and behaviors necessary to be a positive part of these changes. Cite a couple examples of how you will invest in their growth such as regular communication meetings, role playing, personal coaching, and individualized development plans. Challenge them to make the investment in themselves to adapt to these changes, learn something new, and raise their professional status.

Reinforcement. Repeat these messages and activities to sustain the change. Do not allow old habits to overtake you and let the existing status quo inhibit your growth and progress toward your new brand.

If you would like to learn more about how to create change at your salon, please contact me.

Jim Lucas
Séva Education
gojimlucas@sevastyle.com
(925) 980-7871

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