The human soul needs actual beauty than bread

I think this would be a good story to share with all our customers. These stories will make them realize that why it is important to take care of their hair, treat it and trust us to help them look immaculate at all times.

I recently read an article written by Harriet Green of The Guardian, London that Cherie Blair, wife of former UK prime minister was being mocked for her hair. In 1997 when opening her front door, she was being mocked that her hair looked like a bird’s nest and then did something about it and being criticized during the last election campaign for claiming US$11,600 for her hairdressing bills.

A few years ago, Hillary Clinton stepped onto a podium before Yale’s graduation class to make a speech. “The most important thing I have to say,” she told the eager audience, “is hair matters. Pay attention to your hair. Because everyone else will.”
I remember in the late 90’s to early 2000, technical service like rebonding was a huge business in the salon industry especially in Asia. Most salons made great profits back then, the trend is still on until now but it is more to relaxing. Relaxing is where you would not get a poker straight hair and still looks natural.

Why do women love rebonding or have their hair relaxed? I think simply because they are idiot proof and much easier to use than a hair dryer and most women will answer that convenience is the key.

But the real reason of having straight hair is even more interesting. Philip Kingsley, a trichologist says, “There is a vital link between sexuality and hair, men prefer straighter, shinier, longer hair.” I think from this comment alone, we know why women are so afraid to cut their hair short or would most of the time say that their boyfriend or husband do not like short hair.
Another comment that I like personally is a book about women and hair-Rapunzel’s Daughters written by Rose Weitz. She says “Hair gives important signal. “It is personal, growing directly out of our bodies. It is public, on view for all to see so it is not surprising that we use our hair to project our identity” Well said huh?

After reading the above articles which I gather from Taipei Times in Taiwan I was immediately inspired, so inspired that I want to share all these stories with my clients back home in Kuala Lumpur. Now my fellow hairdressers, after you have done with all the daily celebrity gossips from tabloids, you could now have more interesting stories to share with your clients and empower them to take charge of their hair.

People love stories, real stories as what we have mentioned above otherwise reality programs on TV would not be such big hits. Share with them the importance of having great hair and its “fringe” benefits and perks- husbands and boyfriends are not included though.

The Met Kuala Lumpur

President House,Park Royal Hotel

Jln Sultan Ismail

50250 Kuala Lumpur

Tel: 21481111

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It is more than just cutting hair...

Who is keen to know what it takes to make it a success? Which are the proven methods? Why can some hairdressers be fully booked with appointments and some can not?
I have spent numerous years both in the corporate education division for L’oreal Professionnel and Redken 5th Ave NYC in Malaysia and also in the hair salon business and I have observed that there are actually many more perspectives and new mindsets that we need to attain to be a successful hairdresser. Success comes in many different forms and does not necessarily mean money. Health, family, friendship, love, positive attitude, positive mindset, willingness to absorb new information and willingness to change to be better are also considered to be of the utmost importance in our industry and could be called success too.

One of the skills that a hairdresser needs to attain is being able to sell, and this skill requires a positive attitude and a positive mindset to be achieved. I am currently based in Taipei for Redken Taiwan and let me share this with you; there are really no differences between the hairdressers here in Taiwan and those in Malaysia. The feedback from salon owners is the same - which their employees do not sell enough, or just do not sell. Why do some hairdressers do not feel comfortable selling?

I have recently read a book by a Sales Communication Specialist named Blair Singer and I also attended his business seminar in Taipei. There was a paragraph in it in which he wrote”We are actually taught NOT to sell. We taught NOT to ask. We are taught to work hard, be good, color within the lines, and hope that someone will recognize us for our efforts and throw us some scraps. We are told that all good things will come to those that wait. We are taught to accept, not object, to give, not to ask, and to accept our lot in life. We are manipulated and contorted to fit snugly into a readymade box where we are expected to live quietly until we die and that we should ever make a mistake!” I once asked one of my employees why he chose to be a hairdresser and he answered because clients come to see us instead of us seeing them! Is this why we think that there is no selling involved? Think deeper….
Blair Singer believes that everyone has the natural talent to sell. Every child can sell, we can sell and you can sell. Some need more skills than others do. Some need a new attitude about it. Like a child, there was should be no fear, no hesitation, no worries about looking foolish, only a pure intention to get what they want, which is why we see them cry or pester non- stop until their goal is achieved.
Hairdressers are all creative people, so we tend to use our right brain more than our left. Left brained people like figures, mathematics and reading, and I honestly do not feel we hairdressers like them!! We love beauty, nice visuals, interesting fashion and anything alternative!! So how exactly are we going to learn the new business skills? No matter if we are salon owners or just employees, we all know that it will take more than just cutting hair to be able to achieve success. We really need to learn new sets of skills and use more of our left brain, while maintaining the horsepower of our right brain, which we still need for creativity and inspiration.

So who would like to know what it takes to have a new mind set, a new attitude and a whole new perspective on life and success in this competitive hair industry?

The Met Kuala Lumpur

President House, Park Royal Hotel

Jln Sultan Ismail

50250 Kuala Lumpur

Tel: 03-21481111

facebook/the met kuala lumpur