Moving Forward's Newsletter
http://www.movingforwardcoaching.com.au
Email:  robyn@movingforwardcoaching.com.au

March 2005,  Issue #8

Before starting this article I want to point out that leadership is a journey.  It is not just a training course it is about who you are and how you do it.  It is an ongoing process of learning.

Employees often make decisions of whether they like working for a particular manager or not.  What is it about a manager that staff make a decision about.   In working with clients I notice it time and time again that it is the leadership ability of the manager that inspires, motivates and empowers their staff that makes a great manager.  It is the ability to look to the future and then inspire their staff to make the journey with them.  Staff perform because they are motivated to achieve their targets and are there for the greater achievements of the business that they want to play a role in. 

It is so easy to get lost in the daily stresses of managing a business and to lose sight of the vision and what will help the business be successful.  It is so easy to get so caught up in the business that you forget to focus on what is making you profitable and what the staff enjoy doing.  A leader that treats staff as individuals and acknowledges their achievements, motivates by example and empowers them to make decisions gets rewarded with results.  Create a learning environment for your staff and lead the way asking for their input.

It is very easy to attribute lack of commitment and non-achievement to an employee being lazy or lacking ambition.  Quite often it is the lack of communication to the employee of their role and what you want in terms that they can understand.  What is your vision for your business in simple terms and what do you want from each staff member?  How do your staff and their goals fit in with your business? Do you know what their goals are? 

Quite often managers are chosen because of their technical skills, but there is much evidence that it is the people skills and emotional intelligence that lead their staff to higher performance.  A good leader must be able to do each of the following:

• create a strong vision
• inspire staff to take the journey and support the vision
• understand their own strengths and weaknesses
• set goals and actions steps
• motivate staff
• communicating clearly (oral and written) to all groups
• listen to staff
• be able to delegate
• nurture team building
• nurture staff
• ability to coach staff to perform better
• enjoy learning
• manage by performance measures
• be open to change

Because leadership skills are a journey and it is the reflection of what is happening in addition to the skills learned is the reason why coaching or mentoring is so valuable.  Contact us to discuss our coaching programs to improve your leadership skills.  Leadership skills are a very necessary component for creating a very successful business.

Innovation Hairdressing is located in Craigieburn and is well known in the area for Hairdressing and Beauty.  It is a salon that you can go to and know that the style will be up to date.  Innovation Hairdressing is a salon that offers more than just a stock standard haircut - it offers the latest and keeps moving with the times, which is so important in a fast moving industry.  Cathy  has now owned the business for 16 years and you can tell that she has the drive and passion to continue growing her successful business as she simply just loves what she does.

Cathy worked in the salon as an employee for 6 months before she bought the business.  When the salon went up for sale her parents supported her decision to make a go of it. She was only 18 years old. Congratulations Cathy on the business developments that you have made and for running a successful business.

TELL ME A BIT ABOUT THE PERFORMANCE OF INNOVATION HAIRDRESSING BEFORE YOU TOOK OVER OWNERSHIP?
When l bought the salon and originally worked in it, it was a basic salon. There was not a lot of colour or atmosphere. The boss was the boss and the hairdressers were workers. It was not a team effort.  There were 3 staff employed, including the boss.  I suppose you  could describe it as a steady little business that had potential to grow.  It just needed a fresh direction and new look.  The old owner lived with the older knowledge - cut hair and then go home.  There was no motivation.

WHAT IS YOUR VISION FOR INNOVATION HAIRDRESSING?
Our vision for the future is to continue being a positive role model and supporting our staff both professionally and personally. I want staff to be motivated and want them all to learn, bouncing ideas off one another and to continue growing as a team. It must be a team effort and it is US that makes it work. I want a "learning culture". I still go to training - whether it be hairdressing, marketing, building better business courses, conferences, etc., and I find it all to be positive and inspirational and you will always come back with new found knowledge each time. I have a  positive statement up on the wall of our salon in our staff  area. "Being successful in what you do : Success is not luck. It's years of hard work starting with a positive attitude, add patience, persistence, passion and you will succeed".

HOW DID YOU GO ABOUT THE CHANGE?
I kept the young apprentice on when I bought the business and she finished her apprenticeship with me. As the business grew and we became busier I employed more staff. Our salon now employs 8 staff and one nail technician. We always interview for the person - not always for skill. You can always teach the skills and help them to develop into motivating, inspiring stylists. I find it important to create a happy medium with my staff so as to ensure a balanced work place environment, both for me and for them. I implemented salon training and courses  for anyone I employ. We have both in salon and outside salon training which has been a great benefit to us all. It's extremely important to get out there and see other stylists teaching their skills and walking away from it being totally inspired. I am a big believer in training....which can be a benefit to anyone, in any profession. Michelle (the Salon Manager) has been involved in providing training and education for larger companies over the years which has been a real GROW, LEARN, DEVELOP (GLD) experience.

Three years ago we became computerized to move with the times. Before this time it was often difficult to find files, data and paperwork. Now everything is in the computer (client data base, client service details, staff totals, statistics etc). Our computer program is specifically designed for the hair and beauty industry.

TELL ME ABOUT YOUR TEAM BUILDING AND STAFF EMPOWERMENT INITIATIVES
We have implemented weekly and monthly targets and incentives. This drives staff to meet their targets and be rewarded.  It is a two way street. I can't reward them if they don't meet me half way. I always ascertain that even if you are a qualified stylist you need to continue broadening yourself - look at and learn the current trends and be challenged. We go to the hair expo in Sydney each year as a team and love the whole concept and the great atmosphere that comes with being part of a dynamic Industry.  I tell my staff  that I am your boss and your friend and that if at any time you are not happy in this work place environment, lets discuss it together. We have excellent ground rules for communication. I love what I do and I want to continue to GROW, LEARN AND DEVELOP (GLD), in all areas of my life.

I get my staff involved with photo shoots displaying their work in our salon, using photos for our advertising and in November 2003 we celebrated our 15 year salon anniversary by putting on our own hair show.  It got everyone totally involved and was an inspiration to all who helped put the show together.  I get the staff involved in competition work so that it gives them the opportunity to broaden their knowledge and think outside the square, challenging themselves, being creative and motivating each other to have a go. I always tell my staff that competition work is not just about winning, more importantly it is about being involved! Winning is just a BONUS.

TELL ME ABOUT YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUR CLIENTS
We have built excellent personal and professional relationships with our clients.  We want to be recognised as being a user-friendly salon with that extra added service. The clients really appreciate it and we love getting their feedback. The salon is my life outside of the home. I call it my other home and it is a big priority in my life. My staff and I have been invited to weddings, 21st birthdays, engagements and christenings of our clients over the years and its nice to know that these relationships have been built not only on professional services that we offer, but more importantly, a friendly, warm and relaxed salon environment that our clients love to visit.

CAN THE BUSINESS RUN WITH OUT YOU BEING THERE NOW?
YES- The business can run with out me. I am only in the salon part time and can go on holidays, knowing that the business can still run.  It's all about TEAM EFFORT and giving others responsibility and opportunities to take on that little bit extra. Our philosophy is (GLD) GROW, LEARN, DEVELOP.

You can visit Innovation Hairdressing at 3 Hamilton Street, Craigieburn. We look forward to seeing you in our salon. Call Innovation Hairdressing on 9305 5688 for your next hair and beauty appointment.

Are you starting a business.  Why not start on the right foot by preparing a business plan.  Business plan templates that have been designed by Moving Forward are easy to understand and complete.  They make business planning a breeze. Visit Business Plan Templates for more information.

To discover how you can create the success and fulfilment you desire and achieve all your personal and professional goals early using NLP skills, simply call Vesna at Qt on (03) 9653-9288 or 0411 479 256 or email her at qt@vesnacorporation.com today.  Mention Moving Forward's newsletter and just for asking for more information you will receive your FREE gift valued at $250!

 Recommended Book to read:  Leadership and The One Minute Manager, by Kenneth Blanchard
Leadership is where the business can really go wrong and all because we don't analyse the skills and learning styles of our staff.  The secret is there is no one leadership style that suits all staff.  This is an excellent read.

Take a look at our Useful Links & Resources Page.  There is a successful business checklist, reading lists and useful links.