Training for Success.
Leading your team to incredible results through a powerful vision for training!
Once, when speaking at a Spa Conference, I was asked: “How do you justify the money you spend on training? How do you justify the loss of revenue during the time of training?”
Training, indeed, has a cost. Training indeed requires time. Training is indeed an investment. An investment from the Spa leadership team and from each employee, as well as a financial investment. AND it is true, that training is so worth it!!!
“NEVER compromise on training” sounds in my ears like it was yesterday, and hence it was about 18 years ago that a dear colleague of mine shared her wisdom with me. I think I have repeated her hundreds of times over the last years to inspire future industry leaders.
Never compromise on training - this is though easier said than done, especially in a world where the executive management and ownership want to see immediate and high profits. Depending on the different Spas, I have trained myself, have collaborated with our Spa’s skincare brands, or have had third-party trainers coming in. In any case, I have always pushed hard to put some $ in during budget season for training the following year.
When communicating with potential new brands, no matter if skincare or a new retail line, training was one of my top 5 points to discuss. It is a must to understand how this new brand may support our team, and I want to share my expectations with the brand.
Here are a few inspirations for types of training for leading your teams to success:
Product Knowledge Training: Have your team connect with your brands once or twice a year for product knowledge. This applies to all brands that you sell in your Spa Boutique or use in treatments. This can be as short as a 30-minute live webinar as a few hours of in-person on-site training. (A blog post on Product Knowledge Training is coming soon)
Training on Protocols: Invite all product houses that are featured in treatments once or twice a year for a few days of on-site education. This connection with the brands and their trainers is crucial for your team to develop them into brand ambassadors and elevate their knowledge of the execution of the treatments. (A blog post on Protocol Training is coming soon)
Retail Skills Training: Educating our teams, therapists, and receptionists on retail skills is critical for additional revenues from products. Sometimes you have great sales representatives of the brands you work with who are willing to offer you such training for free. Or you find no brand professionals who can share insights on the art of retailing. Those no-brand trainers often have daily fees, though. (A blog post on Retail Skills Training is coming soon)
Training on Standards: Do standard reading with all team members once or twice a year. If your company has standards on which they are checked by mystery shoppers, LQA or Forbes, go over the standards regularly, like in daily briefings - highlight one day - share the comments from previous visits, and explain the standards to your teams and share your vision. As much as it is highly beneficial to your team, I can assure you that this exercise will be even more beneficial for you as it helps you to set your priorities right. (A blog post on Standards Training is coming soon)
Here are some features from Innovation Training which elaborate further on the benefits of well-structured training and development programs for your teams. I especially love the thought of making sure everyone on your team sees learning as part of the job. Allow yourself a few minutes and give this a read.
My message today for you is Train for Success! And please do me a favor by spreading the word to NEVER compromise on training, which is a message I also underline in my Spa & Wellness Talk with Helen Norman, Founder and Director of My Wellness Guru, which you can watch here.
I would love to hear about your experience with training, if you have an annual training plan in place, and about your best practices!