Salon Assistants, juniors, shampoo girls and boys, or apprentices, whatever we like to call them are indeed the most important person in a salon, more important perhaps than all of us, the seniors. Why? They communicate, approach, and attend to clients more than we do. Here’s the general flow of service the moment client arrive the salon. First of all let us give our characters names – John the Junior and Mary the client.
Upon Mary’s arrival, reception will lead her to the seat. As soon as she is seated we, as stylists, will be with her. John will then get some magazines and drinks to Mary while we are busy talking about the intended cut or color. As soon as we are finished talking, John will begin to wash Mary’s hair. The whole washing plus massage will take approximately 10 minutes, which is usually longer than our consultation time with Mary. John will then lead Mary to the back wash for a rinse and to condition her hair, which will take another 10 minutes. John will then lead Mary back to the seat to prepare for the cut or color.
The usual stylist could spend just 20 min max to complete the hair cut, and John would then take over the blow dry service which could take up to 30 min if Mary’s hair is long, or if she requires curls.
Then, the Stylist would return to Mary to touch up the finishing look which takes only 3 min for example. John will assist in removing the cutting gown and send Mary off to the reception for payment. In total a stylist just spent about 25 min seeing Mary compared to John who spends more than 35 min. John has the opportunity to spend more time with Mary, creating the rapport, the connection and PR which will hopefully translate into trust, comfort and a feeling of ease between the service provider and the client.
I’m sure that you agree by now that the role of the juniors as efficient service providers is extremely important. When we go to a restaurant, the first impression isn’t how wonderful the chef is, it’s always based on the waiting staff. How they approach us in taking our orders, how they display our cutlery, and their overall attentiveness. We already begin to judge even before the arrival of food. Thus basic training for a junior, covering topics like courtesy, communication, selling skills, handling difficult clients, handling complains, positive body language in working environment and positive mindset is so essential. The question is where do they receive this type of training? Would they even believe in training in the first place? Are they willing to invest the time to be a better person, and a better employee? Does their employer share the same “learn to progress” mentality?
To be continued………
Upon Mary’s arrival, reception will lead her to the seat. As soon as she is seated we, as stylists, will be with her. John will then get some magazines and drinks to Mary while we are busy talking about the intended cut or color. As soon as we are finished talking, John will begin to wash Mary’s hair. The whole washing plus massage will take approximately 10 minutes, which is usually longer than our consultation time with Mary. John will then lead Mary to the back wash for a rinse and to condition her hair, which will take another 10 minutes. John will then lead Mary back to the seat to prepare for the cut or color.
The usual stylist could spend just 20 min max to complete the hair cut, and John would then take over the blow dry service which could take up to 30 min if Mary’s hair is long, or if she requires curls.
Then, the Stylist would return to Mary to touch up the finishing look which takes only 3 min for example. John will assist in removing the cutting gown and send Mary off to the reception for payment. In total a stylist just spent about 25 min seeing Mary compared to John who spends more than 35 min. John has the opportunity to spend more time with Mary, creating the rapport, the connection and PR which will hopefully translate into trust, comfort and a feeling of ease between the service provider and the client.
I’m sure that you agree by now that the role of the juniors as efficient service providers is extremely important. When we go to a restaurant, the first impression isn’t how wonderful the chef is, it’s always based on the waiting staff. How they approach us in taking our orders, how they display our cutlery, and their overall attentiveness. We already begin to judge even before the arrival of food. Thus basic training for a junior, covering topics like courtesy, communication, selling skills, handling difficult clients, handling complains, positive body language in working environment and positive mindset is so essential. The question is where do they receive this type of training? Would they even believe in training in the first place? Are they willing to invest the time to be a better person, and a better employee? Does their employer share the same “learn to progress” mentality?
To be continued………
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