In the Know: Pete Scott

How can I inspire confidence in my therapists and encourage them to progress?

Inspiring confidence and continual professional development is not a quick solution; it is something that requires daily attention. And in order for your therapists to be inspired, you must first be an inspirational leader.

I encourage managers and head therapists to never stop learning, to keep pushing themselves to learn about communication skills, emotional intelligence, sales, and so on.

Unfortunately, many managers don’t continue to learn these skills, instead becoming caught up in business strategy and admin. This keeps them away from the most important of their many tasks, inspiring their therapists and generating more sales.

Allow every therapist 15 to 30 minutes per day for personal development. Training and building confidence is like taking a shower; you need to do it daily!  Giving your therapists back-to-back appointments, without allowing them the time to learn new skills is a sure way to demotivate your team and drive them to start looking for new employment.

Follow Richard Branson’s motto in this area: “Train people well enough so they can leave, treat them well enough so they don't want to.” 

Make learning and development a duty in your business, not just an add on.  Be inquisitive; ask what your team members learnt on their last shift. Find out what skills they are gaining, week on week. Be highly interested in every one of your therapists and they will in return be interested in the success of your business.

“Train people well enough so they can leave, treat them well enough so they don't want to” 

Spa business trainer Pete Scott helps spas maximise success and profitability, within areas including retailing, team building and emotional intelligence. Scott also runs industry event the Spa Business Bootcamp, now in its second year and covering topics such as Secrets to Leadership, Marketing that Works and How to Maximise your Revenue in 2015. He is also a regular speaker at industry evens, including the Professional Beauty shows