A client of mine raised her daughter into a poised young lady with social graces. I’ve known them since the daughter was in fourth grade. She’s graduating college this year and I couldn’t help but remark what a wonderful job my client had done molding her into a well-rounded human being. Her reply: “If you surround her with enough culture, she won’t pay any attention to the gossip.” The spa industry is full of workers who talk about other workers...

Although America is known for its rugged individualism, spas rely more on teamwork to keep their operations running smoothly. From the front desk staff that greets guests and bids them farewell to the estheticians and therapists who care for them in the treatment room, your spa’s staff is ultimately a team that needs to work together as one. According to Bruce Piasecki, Ph.D., president and founder of AHC Group, a management consulting group, and author of Doing More With Teams:...

The phrase "Mental Health" in the work environment is usually related to: Job Stress and/or Burnout Communication or the need for Conflict Resolution between employees Employee Anxiety We think because we are in the spa industry we don’t get stressed. The fact is many employers and employees in the spa industry rarely go to spas or practice what they preach. Cry for help? Daily, we receive indicators that many are stressed. What are you doing about it? Mental Health is...

I recently came across a really great blog written by Sally McKenzie of McKenzie Management ; a dental management solutions company. Her article on Bonus Plans really resonated with me, so I’ve decided to © SPAdapt her blog and target it to the global spa industry. I know many of you struggle with the whole team bonus model, and hopefully this piece will help you make decisions that are both sustainable and beneficial for everyone involved… There are many moving...

Spa uniforms have come a long way since the days of neutral colors and unisex styles. Now, many spas have opted for stylish uniforms for their spa employees that support a clean, professional environment and that complement the design and image of the spa. This consistency has proven to be a winning formula when it comes to impressing clients and setting themselves apart from other spas. “By selecting a unique uniform, a spa can be confident that each guest impression...

I just came back from a big box retailer. I love this store it gets my creative juices flowing. I am a loyal customer and have been going there for years. Almost every time I get a coupon in the mail I GO and shop. I love the mix of merchandise and so happy when NEW shipments arrive. While visiting to se if they had any new breast cancer awareness décor and trimmings I had experienced something that a week...

In May 2010, the Global Spa and Wellness Summit partnered with the Stanford Research Institute (SRI) and completed a profound study entitled Spas and the Global Wellness Market: Synergies and Opportunities . According to this report, spa represents $60.3 billion of the $1.9 trillion global wellness market. Is your spa tapping into this? Wellness is a huge untapped resource for new revenue streams and happier employees. At SpaExec Sonoma in May 2012 and SpaExec Palm Springs in July 2012, attendees...

A sensitive therapist is offended by something a new receptionist said and is threatening to leave, and a long-time employee is furious about being passed over for a recently vacated management position. These are just a couple of examples of the workplace conflicts that can take up much of a spa director’s time. In The Exchange: A Bold and Proven Approach to Resolving Workplace Conflict (CRC Press, 2011), authors Steven Dinkin, Barbara Filner, and Lisa Maxwell offer up suggestions for...

Well-trained spa desk associates are the gatekeepers to your business’ success. Studies have shown the most successful, productive employees are those who have received thorough training. Moreover, they tend to be more committed to their jobs and have the strongest stake in the company’s future. By that token, a company must make a cultural commitment to training. Not only does instruction arm your spa desk with needed professional and technical skills, but it also shows that you are invested in...

Although the economy seems to be improving, chances are you’re probably still feeling cautious when it comes to spending. Asking employees to do more with less is de rigueur these days. Not surprisingly, some of your staff may be feeling a bit under-appreciated right about now, especially considering the fact that raises and bonuses are in short supply. Fortunately, cash isn’t the only thing to bring a smile to their faces. “People will never admit it, but money is not...