Beauty Store Business

NOV 2013

For beauty business news, beauty store owners turn to Beauty Store Business. Beauty business trends, beauty business profiles and more!

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Bold lashes without the bulk! Introducing Godefroy PermaCurl is an easy to apply gel that transforms fine, limp lashes into dramatic long-lasting curls. UÊEasy to apply and remove UÊes not flake or dry out lashes UÊCan be used with or without mascara UÊlds curl all day Before After Innovative Beauty Products, LLCÊUÊArlington, TX 800-854-9809ÊUÊwww.godefroybeauty.com 1. Do you challenge employees to set specific performance goals? "Do better every year." That's a great motto for every employee. Too often, though, the tendency is less ambitious: Coast along. Settle for a performance that's good but not great. "Employees tend to float to the status quo," says John Tschohl, president of Service Quality Institute (customerservice.com) in Minneapolis and the author of Moving Up. "The problem is that very few have any welldefined goals." It's too easy to settle for hazy goals such as "be a better salesperson" or "increase technical skills." "That's not good enough," says Tschohl. "Hazy goals produce hazy results." What's the solution? Work with employees to establish measurable objectives. "Make sure the goals are specific," says Tschohl. Here's an example: "Make 10 sales calls per day" is better than the more general "Make more sales calls." Here's a bonus tip: Set target dates for goals and assess results at follow-up performance reviews. 2. Do you coach employees to rebound from performance shortfalls? The most dependable employee can miss an ambitious performance goal. Maybe the bar was set too high. It's more likely that the employee needs to take a different approach to the challenge. Monitor the employee's work practices and suggest new ways to reach performance goals. Then reset the target date and stay in communication. But you need to do more: You must also help to pump up the employee's selfesteem. "Employees need a lot of support," says Tschohl. "Most have self-doubt and personal problems. So you want to nurture people to do a better job. And when you see people doing great things you should give them recognition." A bonus tip? When recognizing an employee's performance don't just state a general remark such as "good job." Highlight how well the individual performed specific work activities. 3. Do you communicate your priorities and directions clearly? To be followed and respected you need 30 November 2013 | beautystorebusiness.com to be understood. Make clear communications your goal. Express what you want from your employees in easily understood statements that can be translated into workplace expectations. Clarity of communication will help employees stay on track toward achieving their goals. "Employees tend to [lose focus]," says Tschohl. "They get distracted and concentrate on one thing instead of another. A good manager will stay on top of people, coaching and reinforcing." Here's a bonus tip: Ask your employees for feedback: Are they confused by anything you have said? Can you restate anything more clearly? 4. Do you encourage your employees to contribute new ideas? Sometimes owners and managers think they can "do it all" and fail to take advantage of—or even become aware of— surrounding talent. Other times they are reluctant to reach out and are frightened of giving up power or are too focused on their egos to tap the skills latent in others. Blocking the skills and ideas of employees can lead to the loss of the best talent. "Creative, ambitious employees will leave the company to find other positions," says Richard Avdoian (richardavdoian.com), an employee-development consultant in St. Louis. "They want to enhance their own skills and if they are not encouraged to do that they will seek other employment." Great managers pursue the gold hidden in every employee, says Avdoian. "Tapping the gifts and talents of the employees can make any business flourish." A bonus tip: Establish an awards system for the best ideas that contribute to business profit. 5. Do you take a personal interest in your employees? Your employees are human beings with varied talents and needs. They're not just cogs in the profit machine. Taking a genuine interest in their lives will foster their loyalty and pay rich dividends. "Discover the hidden talents of your employees and use them," says Avdoian. "Employees who realize they are valued as people will be vested in giving back to the company. Even if those individuals

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