Have you ever stopped and thought about what lies behind the smiling face of every salon owner? Well, there’s a lot to ponder. They’re responsible for their business, employees, customers, and overall operations. There is a lot of stress when you’re running a top-tier salon. From a client point-of-view, they’re getting exceptional cuts and customer service. However, only the people involved in the business know what’s going on behind the scenes. Thankfully, the complex system of logistics and planning is taken care of by salon management software.
If you’re a budding salon owner or plan to set up your beauty business someday, this blog has you covered. We will be discussing some smart strategies used by top salons to manage their operations like clockwork.
Tools, Tech & Strategies used by Top Salons to Stay Organised
Inventory Management Made Smart
Back in the day, inventory was something that was managed manually. One person would count the products while the other would make a note. By investing in the right inventory management tool, every product can be tracked meticulously. Whether it’s a shampoo, hair dye, nail polish or essential oil, you will have a clear track of what’s in your salon backbar. By switching to digital inventory tracking, you will never run low on any product nor will you be overstocked. If you’re wondering how it’s done, let us tell you:
Automated Inventory Software
Most spa software comes with a built-in inventory management tool. It helps salon owners and managers track product usage per client, number of retail products, and overall stock. After every service, the quantity of product used by the stylist or technician is entered on the software. This can be anything – 30ml, 60ml, and so on. The software automatically deducts the used quantity from the overall inventory of the products. Salon owners can also preset a threshold. When the inventory dips below the threshold, the software automatically sends alerts. These are referred to as “low stock alerts”. This prevents shortage and waste. At the same time, the software also prompts when certain products are about to expire.
Vendor/Supplier Relationships
Amidst a top-tier salon owner’s busy schedule, it’s normal for them to forget to call the vendor or supplier. However, the inventory software also houses supplier details. Once the stock of a particular product or batch is over, the software auto orders it for you. Vendor partnerships can be seamlessly managed without overstocking. You can also generate reports to see which products are being used more. This helps you place the orders accordingly.
Client Management Made Easy
A salon thrives because of its clients. If you don’t treat them well, they won’t come back. When you offer your clients personalised services, you can attract and retain them, and also build their loyalty. As a high-end salon, the small things you do can make all the difference. Also, even smaller salons have started using tools that will help them manage their clients. Let us look at a few strategies that are helping salon owners offer their clients the best customer service:
Salon CRM
CRM refers to customer relationship management and is crucial in any business. By using a salon CRM, top salon owners manage vital client information and also maintain detailed profiles. This ensures that each time a client comes in to avail a particular service, they receive the same level of treatment. A few notes they store in the profiles are – hair colour preferences, birthday/anniversary dates, allergy information, past purchase history, preferred stylist, and past treatments. By using this information, a salon owner can make each visit feel customised and tailored to their needs. Further, this also makes the client feel special.
Automated Feedback Collection
In a service-based business, clients want to be heard. Post-visit surveys are essential if you want to improve your services. Salon software can be used to automate feedback collection. Along with the digital invoice, it sends a feedback link for clients to leave their feedback. The format can be decided by the salon owner.
Appointment Booking Made Efficient
Manual appointment books are passe. The new-age way of doing it is getting a salon booking management system. By embracing scheduling technology, your salon is literally open 24/7 for appointment booking. Here’s how:
Online Booking
Major reason top salon managers are stress-free is because their appointment booking process is taken care off by the salon management software. Clients can book anytime and from anywhere. Booking systems minimise appointment gaps and maximise chair time. In case of any cancellations, new slots become available which further help in maximising revenue.
Automated Reminders
Clients tend to forget that they had an appointment scheduled after they’ve made a booking. However, with automated reminders, they will never forget a booking again. SMS and email reminders considerably reduce no-shows.
In Summary
The behind-the-scenes of every successful salon is very different from what you think. It’s not chaotic. In fact, it’s well-organised because of all the technology and tools top salon owners invest in. Salon360App is the best salon software in India that offers clients a seamless experience from start to finish. Request a demo to get a sneak-peek of what you’re missing out on!
