MAXIMISE YOUR MERRY

Newly crowned Most Wanted Business Thinker, Samantha Cusick, has your cut-out-and-keep Q4 checklist to prepare your salon for a busy festive season

As we head into Q4, the busiest and most lucrative time of the year for our industry, it’s crucial to be organised and prepared to make the most of the festive season. From managing appointments to stocking up on products, there’s a lot to juggle. Leaving it until the last minute is a recipe for anxiety and missing out on money-making opportunities. Here’s a comprehensive, cutout-and-keep checklist to help you stay on top of everything!

“Keep an eye on how your appointments are scheduled to avoid 15-30 minute gaps appearing – that can mean lost revenue”

TEAM MEMBERS AND ROTAS

✔ REVIEW STAFF SCHEDULES: Get rotas sorted ahead of time. At Samantha Cusick London (SCL), our team works an extra day a week in December to ensure we have adequate coverage for the increased demand and allows us to close fully between Christmas and New Year.

✔ HIRE TEMPORARY STAFF: Consider hiring additional stylists or assistants if needed.

✔ UPDATE STAFF TRAINING: Host refresher training sessions for seasonal services and products.

✔ HOLIDAY AVAILABILITY: Confirm holiday availability with your team to avoid last-minute surprises and double-booking requests.

STOCK TAKES AND SUPPLIES

✔ STOCK UP ON ESSENTIALS: It probably sounds obvious but ensure you have enough products, tools, and other supplies – you don’t want to be caught short!

✔ CONSIDER SEASONAL PRODUCTS: Check with your rep for what’s coming from brands and get your orders in as they’re often limited.

✔ CHECK EQUIPMENT: Inspect and maintain all equipment to avoid breakdowns during busy times.

MARKETING AND PROMOTIONS

✔ PLAN HOLIDAY PROMOTIONS: Create special offers and packages, maybe even add a Christmas party hair styling service.

✔ UPDATE SOCIAL MEDIA: Tell your clients what they can expect from you. Schedule holiday-themed posts and promotions.

✔ EMAIL CAMPAIGNS: Send out newsletters with special offers and prompt early bookings to avoid disappointment.

✔ DECORATE THE SALON: Is it time for new decorations? Getting everyone in the festive spirit helps morale and boosts profits.

CLIENT MANAGEMENT

✔ APPOINTMENT SCHEDULING: Encourage early bookings with newsletters, at checkout and on socials.

✔ CONFIRM APPOINTMENTS: Send reminders and take deposits to reduce no-shows and last-minute cancellations.

✔ CLIENT GIFTS: Prepare small thank you gifts or cards for loyal clients that they can use in Q1 of next year when it’s typically quieter.

✔ SMART BOOKING: This is something we’re hot on at SCL. Keep an eye on how your appointments are scheduled to avoid 15-30 minute gaps appearing – that can mean lost revenue.

FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT

✔ BUDGET PLANNING: Your outgoings will be higher this period. Review and adjust your budgets to accommodate so you have no nasty surprises.

✔ CASH FLOW MANAGEMENT: Think about your cash flow early. Ensure you have sufficient funds for additional costs.

✔ TRACK PERFORMANCE: Monitor sales and service performance to identify trends and adjust your strategies. For example, you don’t want to be left with Christmas-themed products in January!

TEAM MORALE

✔ STAFF INCENTIVES: Implement rewards for staff to keep morale high. If the team reaches their target at SCL, they get an extra day’s holiday allowance.

✔ TEAM BUILDING: Don’t forget about your team during this busy time. Make sure you have celebrations planned for them, too.

✔ OPEN COMMUNICATION: Maintain clear and open communication to manage stress and expectations. Keep the team updated on progress towards targets, upcoming promotions, etc.

Here’s to being organised for stress-free ‘sleighing’ this Christmas period! Sorry, I just couldn’t help myself…

@samantha.cusick