Just thought I'd let you know about something that happened to me yesterday.

I went into the salon to test out a new colour we were sent from Milan (not often I'm in the salon these days).

As I was there, I began asking one of our clients if she had any ideas about our refit?

It turned out, that the client I had asked is a marketing director for the government! LOL. How cool is that?

So I swapped her a free blowdry for a 15 minute chat on the couch.

I've got 4 pages of ideas and feedback.

Must have been serendipity!

Is a refit a remodel? And what were some of her ideas?

Hi Copa,

Yes...a refit is the same as a remodel.

There was just too much to mention if I'm honest, and a lot of it was particular to my salons.

But here are just 3 good ideas that I liked (some of you may be doing this already).

1. Appointment cards: We currently write on the back of our business cards when the next appointment will be. She suggested that we make the card bigger, so that it folds in the middle. That way, when you open it out, there could be a grid for appointment times, so that the same card can be used multiple times. She suggested that the clients would take more care of this, that the number for the salon would always be in their purse, and that it could also double as a "loyalty card", in that when the grid is full of completed appointments, the card can be swapped for a free service. This saves printing seperate loyalty cards, and also saves on the cost of business cards (one card now replaces 12 seperate ones).

2. Refreshments: She suggested that we invest in some type of vending machine for drinks. Not only would we be able to increase the drinks on offer, but it could be placed in an area accessible to clients so that they could help themselves to a drink, and select it to be made exactly how they would like it. She explained that vending machines make the drinks consistently the same every single visit (unlike salon assistants).

3. Already take appointments on a salon computer?: She suggested installing Powerpoint and having an extra monitor next to the retail that actually explains what on earth the products are. She said that as a client, she would have no idea where to begin looking when it comes to retail, and that although she is often told what would be good for her hair, that it would be great to see some other products featured as she waits in reception. That way, she could shop without having to rely on the stylist all of the time.

What do you think?

chris the limey wrote:
Hi Copa,

Yes...a refit is the same as a remodel.

There was just too much to mention if I'm honest, and a lot of it was particular to my salons.

But here are just 3 good ideas that I liked (some of you may be doing this already).

1. Appointment cards: We currently write on the back of our business cards when the next appointment will be. She suggested that we make the card bigger, so that it folds in the middle. That way, when you open it out, there could be a grid for appointment times, so that the same card can be used multiple times. She suggested that the clients would take more care of this, that the number for the salon would always be in their purse, and that it could also double as a "loyalty card", in that when the grid is full of completed appointments, the card can be swapped for a free service. This saves printing seperate loyalty cards, and also saves on the cost of business cards (one card now replaces 12 seperate ones).

2. Refreshments: She suggested that we invest in some type of vending machine for drinks. Not only would we be able to increase the drinks on offer, but it could be placed in an area accessible to clients so that they could help themselves to a drink, and select it to be made exactly how they would like it. She explained that vending machines make the drinks consistently the same every single visit (unlike salon assistants).

3. Already take appointments on a salon computer?: She suggested installing Powerpoint and having an extra monitor next to the retail that actually explains what on earth the products are. She said that as a client, she would have no idea where to begin looking when it comes to retail, and that although she is often told what would be good for her hair, that it would be great to see some other products featured as she waits in reception. That way, she could shop without having to rely on the stylist all of the time.

What do you think?

I think......

#1 is a good idea I am taking that!
#2 I already have so it MUST be a good idea.
#3 I already have too, but should expand on it some more.

I like all 3 ideas
#3 I think would let them browse the retail more. I know even for my self, when I have gone to a new salon with product lines I'm not familiar with it takes time to get use to what actually does what. I'm sure it can get even more confusing for clients. I know that some salons that have a large amount of retail, now have retail bars. I suppose taken form the color bar concept. An area to sample the products, smell, touch, try. Adding the power point into that area sounds real good as long as the kiddies are kept out of the area.