Working in an environment where teamwork abounds can lead to a great team culture. Here’s how to nail it in your salon.
Set goals…and reward your team for achieving them
Setting individual goals is great for individual performance, but if you want your staff to work as a team, then a team goal could be the way to go, says HR expert Gerry Freeman. “If you set a team goal, say that each therapist in your business needs to bill a certain amount of money within the month, and offer a reward of wither a cash bonus or a social event, you’ll create a sense of camaraderie,” he says. “In fact, what you may notice is that the team members that have reached their goals will help out the struggling team members, creating a real sense of team work.”
Listen to feedback and act on it
Your team relies on you to create a safe and productive environment. So if it is brought to your attention that the team culture is being jeopardised by particular behaviour of individual staff members, you need to take action. “Assure the person that has come to you that you will investigate, and then then actually do it,” says Gerry. “You don’t need to make a scene. In fact, a private conversation with the staff member will likely be more productive. It may also give you further insights into the issue. The end goal needs to be to iron out the issues and move on quickly.”
Be transparent
Speaking to your team about the state of your business and allowing them to make suggestions on improvements helps them to feel a part of the business. “In doing so, you give them the opportunity to feel responsible and valued. And when people feel that way, they work better together and have a bigger reason to want to have harmony within the team culture,” says Gerry.
For more news and updates, subscribe to our weekly newsletter