Are you working time effectively?

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I’ve recently had several conversations with Salon owners and Technicians on the conflict they have with keeping themselves or their team on schedule with their clients.

It’s not a new topic, it is just re-surfacing as many topics do.

This time however, it is a little different. It has more to do with the generations of our times, than it does with actual “staying on task”.

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There is absolutely no doubt. The generations of today, millennial/Gen x’s are truly a breed of their own. If you do fall into this category, I mean no offense. However, if you do take offense, maybe you might want to do a little self reflection.

What I’ve noticed about todays generations is the lack of respect. It’s the simple things like being kind, saying thank you, respecting your elders. It’s also the big things like the entitlement attitude, the lack of wanting to learn from others, the “it’s only about me” movement.

As sad as it is, I am 100% confident every generation of the past, has felt the same way of the generations of the future.

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When I find myself saying “my Mom and Dad would have sent us to Timbuktu if we acted like that” or “I would never in a millions years think of talking to my parents like that” … I realize I am the older generation also having a hard time accepting the realities of the newer generations.

Although I just can’t wrap my brain around the culture, it’s a fact of life.  We either learn how to manage this generation or we drive our self crazy trying to figure it out.

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Don’t get me wrong, I most certainly do drive myself crazy. I always have to know the why. I want to understand what makes the brain think that it’s okay to come to an interview dressed sloppily or never show up for day one of a new job.

I want to know why the brain thinks it’s okay to disrespect an elder or have total disregard for anyone of superior.

I want to know why when giving an opportunity, the brain lazily applies itself and then wonders why, cries and demands more.

It’s truly fascinating to me. And, although this is a complete totally different topic, it 100% fits into time efficiency.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”24″ img_size=”500×500″ alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded” css_animation=”none”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1534802238716{margin-top: 50px !important;}”][vc_column][vc_column_text]Whether you are hiring new or are managing a current team or even managing yourself, time efficiency should always be on the top of your list.

I feel our Technicians leave this topic out when choosing products, determining prices, booking their schedule, managing their Business.

Unrealistic expectations are set and in return we set ourselves up for disappointment. Have you ever scheduled yourself to get 10 things done (including clients) during the day, only to accomplish maybe five or six?

Expectations in general cause disappointment. When we set specific expectations “willy nilly”, we are setting ourselves up for failure.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][vc_column_text]Whether you are hiring new or are managing a current team or even managing yourself, time efficiency should always be on the top of your list.

I feel our Technicians leave this topic out when choosing products, determining prices, booking their schedule, managing their Business.

Unrealistic expectations are set and in return we set ourselves up for disappointment. Have you ever scheduled yourself to get 10 things done (including clients) during the day, only to accommodate;ish maybe five or six?

Expectations in general cause disappointment. When we set specific expectations “willy nilly”, we are setting ourselves up for failure.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][vc_column_text]When I owned my Salon, as a licensed Nail Technician I was able to train any Nail Technician who came to work with me.

I had my specific requirements and they knew this from the start.

Priority #1 – when you can apply a full set of nails in 1-1/2 hours, you can be placed with paying customers

I knew from my experience, customers were okay with that time frame knowing the Technician was new. Any longer than 1-1/2 hours was just too long.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][vc_column_text]It was then my responsibility as the Salon owner/Trainer to make sure that goal was

  1. attainable
  2. conducted

Setting unrealistic goals, is a set up for failure.

Leaving someone new to this task without conducting or providing the proper training was just down right wrong and again, setting them up for failure.

Consequently, I had specifics on every process of the training

  • How long it should take for each step from station set up to completion
    • Prep
    • Tip sizing
    • Tip application
    • Acrylic application
    • Filing
    • Polishing etc.
  • A requirement to find just the right amount of people to use as models
    • 20
  • Communication
    • Never tell a client you are “just out of school“. Its best to say “I am new to the Industry

We did the same training for every service including nail repairs, manicures, pedicures, polish changes etc.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][vc_column_text]I also made it very clear. This process can take 2 weeks or it can take 3 months. Their participation in finding 20 people was always key point.

At the end of 3 months if the criteria had not been met, we parted ways. This was known from the very start.

[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][vc_column_text]I think about this when I am trying to help someone work through Managing today’s generation(s) whether they are existing personnel or new.

  • There have always been challenges when it comes to training and managing people
  • There has always been the cream of the crops
  • There have always been the lazy ass ones

Its just a different time, a different generation AND those of us in this frustrating management position are older, wiser and truly…less patience.

[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][vc_column_text]I’m going to use the words of an amazing friend of mine. He’s a retired Colonel with the Air force. His last years in the Military he spent teaching. Teaching in a school which he was the 1st of many to write the agenda for those who were “chosen” to attend this school.

His frustrations in dealing with the new generations were great. However, his message is;

  • Stay focused on the mission
  • Take care of your people/subordinates
  • Work your bosses priorities (yours, if your the boss)

[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][vc_column_text]Let’s drill that down to time effectiveness;

  • The mission; For your team (or you) to perform a service in an allotted time frame while providing a great experience for the client.
  • Take care of your team. Always have their back and not just speak the talk. Act the talk. Show them in your actions, your disposition, you truly do care about them.
  • Remember what the bosses or your priorities are and spend your time most efficiently working on whatever that is.

[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][vc_column_text]To simplify its even more, let’s say you hired a new Technician. What is your mission?

In the above scenario my mission was to have my nail tech’s performing a full set in 1-1/2 hours.

I took care of my tech’s by helping them achieve that mission and always supporting them in any challenge which came across with clients.

And my priority as a boss was;

  • Raving fans
  • Making money (for all of us)

[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][vc_column_text]Time efficiency is much more than having your expectations of what should be done in a certain amount of time.

  • It’s management, whether it be you or others.
  • It’s support
  • It’s understanding

[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][vc_column_text]One final thought I would like to leave you with.

If you are having a difficult time either for yourself or your team to effectively manage your time, maybe you or your team is in the wrong position.

In my earlier days as an owner of an Office Supply Company, we had a young man who was very well liked. He had no problem getting appointments, meeting with people and he was killer at his pitch.

However, he could not close the sale. Why? He was horrific in follow through. Once I hired him an assistant, the world was his oyster. He did absolutely phenomenal.

Sometimes time efficiency isn’t about what you can do, it’s about what you can’t do.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][vc_column_text][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”9172″ title=”CJ Murray, President”][/vc_column][/vc_row]

2 thoughts on “Are you working time effectively?”

  1. Spot on! Focus and time efficiency is key! As someone that likes to have a client leave perfect, I’ve had to learn perfection is a goal but it can take a few visits and also the client has to have ownership in diligent home care!

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