5 Short-Term Solution + Practical Changes
Salon/Suite Owners: It will soon be time to reopen your salon and get back to work, now what? At least in the short term, the way we operate our businesses will need to change—don’t be scared, get prepared—to protect the safety of our clientele, staff and ourselves. We need to acknowledge that our clients are coming back to us with new expectations, and possibly some reservations, so we can proactively implement plans that reduce risks and prioritize safety first. Consider Making These Short-Term Practical Changes:
1. How Often You Should Clean/Disinfect
Implement a rigorous cleaning and disinfecting schedule for yourself, your clients and your suite.
2. Limiting Contact At Payment Time
Reduce risk by implementing contact-free payment and scheduling systems to protect the safety of salon staff and clients.
Try contact-free mobile payment methods like Apple Pay.
If you use an iPad or contact-required payment methods, clean them frequently.
Disinfect door handles, phones and writing implements at the beginning of the day and every 1 to 2 hours, based on salon traffic.
3. Avoid Overbooking Clients
Stylists should never feel pressured to get someone in their chair quickly, without enough time to properly disinfect their stations.
Use an appointment system without double booking client services.
Stagger appointment times, so clients are not waiting your suite while another is finishing up.
Decline services to anyone showing symptoms and let them know politely that you will help them re-schedule their appointments for a later time.
4. Avoid Any Non-Essential Contact
Your clients will appreciate you prioritizing their health and safety first.
Discontinue hand shaking, hugging and non-essential contact.
Avoid magazines, self-serve beverages and shared snacks/candy.
Wash your hands and ask clients to wash their hands before each service.
If you are willing to wear a mask, make that option known to clients.
Make clients feel safe by demonstrating your preventative actions.
For example, label products ‘dirty’ and ‘disinfected’ and work properly out of the clean container in front of clients.
5. How To Communicate These Short-Term Solutions With Clients
Your clients have new expectations of you, so let them know how you are going above and beyond to exceed them.
Send a reassurance letter to clients that outlines your commitment to safety and any new systems you are implementing.
Adapted from an article provided by behindthechair.com, Behind The Chair and Barbicide.