It can be very hard to keep tabs on your staff when you’re not there – and let’s face it – it’s not feasible for you to always be in the salon as you’ll have other places you have to be. Having the right systems and procedures in place is the first step to ensuring that your staff get the job done even when you’re not there.
Set Expectations from the Start
The moment you take a new member of staff on board, you should be instilling the values of your business in them. Clearly set out your expectations from the very beginning and share with them your vision for the business. Ensure each member of staff has a contract so that all the important (and legal) information is down in writing. This can be particularly helpful to refer back to it if you feel that standards are slipping.
Always remember that you are in charge. This is your business that you’ve no doubt worked very hard to grow and establish so don’t be afraid to set some boundaries and ask staff to do things when you’re not there.
Support and Guidance
For many, taking a firm hand when it comes to staffing can feel a little over the top. However, you don’t have to take an authoritative or bossy approach. Providing as much guidance and support as possible will only support your business to flourish and motivate your staff to work hard when you’re not there.
In the long run, your staff will appreciate your help. After all, if the job isn’t being done, it won’t be long until it becomes very apparent to you and they suffer the consequences.
Regular Catch-Ups
Whether you want to hold informal weekly meetings or formal monthly one-to-ones, you should get into the habit of communicating well with your staff on a regular basis. On the same hand, documenting what’s said including any issues is so important as it provides you with pivotal information that can help in the development of a stronger working relationship.
Leaving to do lists or notes of things that need to be done while you’re away can be really helpful. Sometimes people just need a little push in the right direction. If you know that there are important tasks to be completed over and above their general day-to-day role, leave instructions.
Don’t Become Too Soft
It can be very easy to take a shine to a member of staff because they’re still young, new to the industry, a nice person, so on and so forth. However, at the end of the day, you must bear in mind that this business is yours and you’ve worked hard to start it from scratch.
With this in mind, it’s important to remember that you should be documenting times of absence or misconduct as well as celebrating the good things. Providing all of your staff with clear-cut copies of your policies and procedures is a great place to start as it keeps you both right.
