Quarter four is a great time to do a business audit, we would recommend doing a quarterly audit as well as an annual AUDIT to stay abreast of your business productivity.
✔️ Annual Salon Finances
✔️ Upsellling in Retail
✔️ Design Treatment Room Environment
✔️ Individual Team Performance
✔️ Time for next years Calendar of events
Look at your team & have them rate their own performance for this year - write goals for next year, assess what's gone well and what could be developed.
We have an AGM 'annual general meeting' where we go out for a nice meal (for Thanksgiving as it's a time to be grateful for what we have and before the festive frenzy begins) We discuss as a team our salon success, what's gone well, what changes can be made and how we'd like to further develop.
Business rebooking rate - what are the business numbers, how can it achieve a better retention rate?
Here are seven ways to attract and retain new clients https://www.orchidsretreat.co.uk/post/7-ways-to-attract-and-retain-new-clients
We also offer regular free online masterclasses to help boost your business and help you run your business more confidently. Our next one will be live on Zoom December 4th at 10:00. It would be great to see you, follow the link to register https://go.dianarichardson.uk/register
How are your sales figures, what can you put together to boost revenue?
By looking at your annual finances in quarter four it still gives the business time to achieve its financial goals and put together additional revenue activities to finish the year strong.
Check out this blog on 5 ways to boost your revenue and finish 2023 strong! https://www.orchidsretreat.co.uk/post/5-ways-to-boost-your-revenue
To perform a quick five-minute beauty salon business audit, here are a few key areas to focus on:
1. Reception Area:
Assess the cleanliness and organization of the reception area. Are there any signs of wear and tear? Is it welcoming and comfortable for clients?
In each of our businesses we've focused on a different vibe, all welcoming but some more light and clinical, some more cosy and intimate, whilst others very retail and buzzy.
All served a different purpose during each chapter of our business journey. Your reception area should reflect the type of environment you are creating in your treatment room and within your business.
2. Staff Appearance:
Observe the appearance of your staff members. Are they dressed professionally and presentably? Do they follow the salon's dress code and grooming standards?
In our businesses we have always provided our teams with their uniform and footwear. We require that these be worn during their shift and that they arrive and depart in their 'civvies' This ensures that they always look provisional, they coordinate as a team and are on brand with our business image.
3. Client Feedback:
Quickly review any recent client feedback or reviews. Are there any recurring complaints or issues that need to be addressed? Take note of any positive feedback as well.
When you receive positive reviews or feedback, remember to should about it on social. If your business uses an online booking service there's often follow up emails that can be sent to ask for feedback or for clients to write a review.
4. Treatment Rooms/Stations:
Check the cleanliness and organization of treatment rooms or stations. Are they well-maintained and properly stocked with products? Are tools and equipment in good condition?
What does each area of your business look like? Are all of the work stations the same? Who is in charge for stocking, cleaning and maintaining each station?
In our six treatment room clinic we had designated areas for different types of treatments. The specialist therapists were in charge of ensuring the areas were kept professionally maintained and stock levels were reported to the manager.
In our bespoke salon treatment spaces professional items are kept in treatment specific themed trolleys, baskets or compartments so that each treatment performed has all of the necessary items stored and maintained together.
5. Product Inventory:
Take a quick inventory of your salon's products. Are there any expired or outdated products that need to be removed? Check if any popular or essential products are running low.
Does your business have product hotspots? How often do you change these? We change ours each month and if we have an influx of weekly clients in on courses we will change our hotspots weekly to showcase different products and treatments available, so clients always know where to look for 'what's new'
Retail areas, when we have a specific shopping area in our business we've always been advised to keep 1-3 items for those less popular and 3-6 items for the super sellers. We are loyal to only a few brands and use their professional and retail products in our businesses.
Dermalogica has a 'top 10' list of best sellers which give stockists a general overview. Our client base love the new innovations too and they always retail very well. If your business uses automated booking and sales technology it's easy to look through each week, month, quarter and year at individual retail items that have been sold. This will give you a snapshot of what's popular to within your client base.
6. Appointment Book:
Review the upcoming appointment book. Are there any gaps or cancellations that need to be filled? Do you have a system in place to remind clients of their appointments?
In our profit masterclass we talk about building a sales machine to keep your clients coming back, ensure your business is profitable and your calendar is full six months in advance.
Have you heard of a client avatar? Here's a blog and podcast that will help you attract your perfect client!
7. Sales Performance:
Gather some basic sales figures for the day, week, or month. Compare them to previous periods to identify any trends or areas for improvement.
If your business uses an online booking system it's easy to look at key performance indicators KPIs amongst your team - seasonally, monthly and weekly. This will give you a snapshot of what treatments are most popular, what retail are best sellers and indicate areas for improvement.
8. Marketing Efforts:
Evaluate the effectiveness of your salon's marketing efforts. Have you been utilizing social media, email campaigns, or other promotional strategies? Are they generating results? Check out our blog about why marketing and branding is important in business.
9. Staff Training and Development:
Assess whether your staff is receiving adequate training and development opportunities. Are there any specific skills or techniques they need to improve upon?
All of our team are required to be Dermalogica Expert Skin Therapists and we support them on this education journey.
We also offer in-house training, continued professional development and as a team we put a monthly and quarterly plan in place to help our therapists grow and further develop their skill sets.
10. Competition Analysis:
Take a moment to research and analyze your local competitors. Are they offering any new services or promotions that you should consider incorporating into your business?
We recommend always trialling new treatments, maintaining open working relationships with our competitors and supporting other local businesses. Knowing your competition helps you stay ahead of the game but it also helps you provide the best customer service and care for your clients by knowing who to sign post to if it's something not available or within your skill set.
Clients will appreciate and value your professional opinion and guidance. You don't have to offer everything, but be an expert and the best at what you do offer.
Remember, this is a brief audit to identify immediate areas for improvement. For a more comprehensive assessment, consider conducting a more in-depth analysis.
If you'd like a professional business audit we offer half day and full day strategy sessions to look at your business and develop a business plan to boost profitability and help you run your business more confidently. https://www.orchidsretreat.co.uk/plans-pricing
Thank you for reading, if this was useful please 🩵and if it could help someone in your network, please share.
Thank you ~ Diana x
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