Crafting a strong company culture is a hot discussion in our industry right now. How do you build a culture that not only makes your salon or spa stand out from the competition, but also one that helps propel business growth? A healthy business culture increases employee motivation, openness to change, involvement, teamwork, improved relationships, and happiness. While each business culture is unique, there are a few core elements that every healthy work environment needs.
One of the strongest driving forces in a business is its values. From your services to the way you treat clients, to your internal team dynamic, to the way you interact with your community – culture is the foundation of a successful business. Consistency is key when engraining your mission and values into your business culture. Once you’ve decided what defines you as a business – lead by example.
Healthy businesses thrive on transparency. Transparency produces trust while adding a relatable, human element to your brand. Furthermore, strong internal and external communication is necessary to grow. Among many things, transparent communication improves customer service, client retention, employee retention, as well as setting and achieving goals.
Another key ingredient for a strong business culture is your employees. Investing in good people through continued education helps to create a powerful team. Studies show that access to professional development improves an employee’s motivation, morale, and retention.
Take the time to nurture your culture. Culture flows from the top down, so leaders need to be examples of the culture they represent, exemplifying it in every way so your team can follow suit. Building a company culture takes time, energy and commitment. It doesn't just happen overnight. Keep in mind, there's no finish line. A company culture is a constant work in progress, because as a business evolves, so does every working part.
About: John Harms, Founder & CEO of Millennium Systems International, creator of Millennium Software, has been designing industry leading salon scheduling software and educating the beauty & wellness industry since 1987. Today Millennium is utilized in thousands of businesses in over 42 countries and operating with approximately 200+ employees worldwide. Millennium currently runs its corporate headquarters out of New Jersey and its international office is based in the U.K.