Now that you’ve worked so hard on your tribe we need to talk about the maintenance. There is a significant way to help your tribe head in the same direction – Meetings.
I know you have meetings but what type of meetings do you have and how often do you have them? There are three types of meetings that will help your tribe remain a tribe.
#1. One on Ones (One hour Monthly with a fifteen minute follow up bimonthly)
One on ones are so important to your tribe! This is how you will be able to connect with them, grow with them and keep them on mission. A Gallup survey found that tribes engaged with regular one-on-one meetings are 16% more profitable, who wouldn’t want to be 16% more profitable! A tribe can also become demotivated without one on ones (especially millennials) One on ones promote focus, contribution, alignment, adjustment, strengthen your relationship and gives them a voice.
I know you’ve probably heard that you should do one-on-ones, but what does that really look like? How should you do them?
It should feel comfortable and relaxed, it should be a conversation and nothing to stress over (for both of you!)
Ask lots of questions but listen to their answers. Jay Williams, a salon coach, says to talk 30% and listen 70%, we need to know their thoughts and ideas. Never ask ‘why’ questions, these can sound accusatory and make them answer in a defensive way rather than in an open and honest way. Give them constructive feedback in a non-judgemental and caring way. (The sandwich system works well for this, one compliment, one improvement, one compliment.)
Begin simply with – how are you feeling /doing? This will make it more comfortable and flow into a conversation rather than a meeting!
Some great questions to ask might be:
- Are you happy here?
- What is your favorite service to do on a guest?
- Are you happy with your work?
- What area would you like to improve on? What education will help you? What can I do to help?
- What was your best accomplishment so far? Did you feel celebrated/acknowledged?
- Can you name three things that would help you love being here more?
- What part of the day do you feel most productive?
- What was your biggest roadblock last month? How did you overcome it?
- What do you do when you feel stuck or unsure?
- Who do you turn to for help?
- Who inspires you in the tribe?
- Whose opinions do you respect?
- Is there anyone you find difficult to work with? Can you tell me why?
- Do other tribe members give you feedback? Would you like more feedback from them? From me?
- What would help us work better as a tribe?
- What things do you worry about?
- Are there times you feel Undervalued? Overwhelmed? Stressed out?
- Can I do anything to make things easier for you? What can the tribe do to make it easier?
- What do you like about our culture/tribe? What don’t you like?
- How can I support you better?
- What is the percentage of my involvement with you? Would you like more or less?
- What is something I can do better?
- Is there any situation that I could of been more help?
- Did you achieve your goals? Do you need our/my help? What is your next goal? What are your next steps to achieve these goals? How Can we help you achieve these goals? (For goal setting structure see blog post: Goals or whatever you’re calling them)
- Is there anything else you’d like to share/discuss with me?
- How are you feeling about our conversation?
Don’t forget to celebrate their accomplishments! A tribe member needs this and is 71% less likely to leave your salon just by acknowledging their hard work.
These questions will help you understand their mindset and how they feel about the salon and the tribe. It will help you make the salon better and help your tribe grow. After every one on one you need to create a summary that provides you with a list of discussion points, goals, issues, development paths, next steps and needs. This is important for your business plan, follow-ups and future one on ones.
A follow-up should be made by bimonthly, a quick check in with your tribe members to see if they need any help or how their next steps are going. This keeps focus on goals and growth!
Now you can see how important one-on-ones are to your tribe and how it will help you remain a tribe!
#2. Salon Meetings (Weekly – One Hour)
Salon meeting done weekly will help you stay connected as a tribe. This is where you celebrate each other, learn from each other and keep each other on track.
You want to start with a fun activity – an ice breaker exercise, learn a yoga pose or listen to a feel-good video for the first five to ten minutes. This relaxes everyone and makes everyone feel open to ideas and sharing.
Then share numbers and goals for the week. Talk about strengths and weaknesses and solutions to problems. Talk about promotions, upcoming events and ideas.
Having weekly meetings might become boring or familiar so to switch things up learn a new technique, go on a short field trip, bring a speaker in or let them contribute/lead the meeting.
You will want to have an agenda to stay on track but don’t worry, as you develop your weekly meetings this will become easier for you and you’ll learn to organize your time.
Make sure you always allow extra time for enjoyment, creativity and innovation. Always take the time to celebrate accomplishments, birthdays, anniversaries or anything else you wish!
Monthly meetings will keep your salon and tribe on the same path, plus they are fun and productive.
#3. Tribe Building (Quarterly)
We have all heard of ‘team’ building, we know what it means but do we know how important it is to a tribe?
It will build bonds and relationships outside of the salon. It allows the tribe to be together in a fun and relaxing way and it breeds trust and honesty.
Tribe Building does so many wonderful things; it helps everyone see each other in a different light, it allows connection, it increases morale, motivates, gives a chance for celebration, team spirit, fun, innovation, creativity, communication, imagination and creates a friendly work environment. Tribe members will have larger imagination when they are around people they are comfortable with. The positives are endless!
There are lots of things to do for tribe building and best of all; they don’t have to cost you a lot! There are many inexpensive and fun ways to bring your tribe together, here a just a few:
Minimal Cost
- Scavenger Hunt
- Yoga/Dance
- Nature Walk
- Paint or Coloring
- Board Games / Cards / Charades
- Outdoor Games (balloon toss, three legged race, egg & spoon race, follow the leader, ect)
- Cook a meal together / Potluck
- Dream Boarding / Inspiration Wall
- Fashion show (dress eachother up)
- Battle of the Bands (karaoke)
- Volunteer together
- Walk in a Parade together
- Engage in activities tribe members do as outside interests/hobbies
- Book Club
- Pretend your in different professions (photographer, make up artists, nail techs, massage therapists ect)
Of course there are many ways to do Tribe Building with an expense attached to it, I would try to do one of these at least once a year and let your tribe know it’s because they are so spectacular!
Some Cost
- Go to anther salon and get your hair/ nails/ make up done
- Dinner at a restaurant
- Escape Room
- Night away
- Paint ball
- Axe Throwing
- A Movie/ Drive In
- Theater/Concert/Speaking Event
- Flower Arrangements class
- Hot Air Balloon Ride
- Paint Night
- Museum
- Tour your City as tourists
- Yoga Class
- Swimming
- Adventure/Amusement Park
It is extremely important that your tribe remains engaged with you and with eachother. These meetings will help your tribe remain a tribe and the salon become healthy, happy and profitable.
Angela
Your Salon Sanctuary 