Are you open to new ideas?

[izzidoll]

I was watching Mary Queen of Shops last night (I love Mary Portas) and I couldn't believe how close minded the Bakery owner was, and her attitude towards her baker, calling him just an 'employee' and not wanting to listen to his ideas.

That said I did also have some sympathy for the Bakery owner, she has been in business for 36 years and it must be dificult to have someone come in with fresh ideas. Maybe after so long running a business you get to the stage that you can't see the wood for the trees

Do you feel you are 'open' to new ideas, do you regularly update your services and revamp your premises to keep up to date with new trends. Or do you think you can just keep on doing what you have always done, and keep your clients loyal? The "If it ain't broke don't fix it "approach to business, as it were.

Those of you that are employers do you keep your staff motivated, by listening to their views and ideas to boost business, making them feel a part of it and not 'just' an employee.

I would love to hear your views on this and what you have tried and how it has worked, which could help other 'new business' owners on here.

 

[Blue Rose]

Ooh, I'm miffed I missed it!! Now to watch it on BBC iPlayer

 

[Martigirl]

I constantly research my products and update if it delivers the promised results.

I can happily take advice from here to improve myself.

However being the control freak (that you know I am) I might struggle to take advice from peers or employees.

I am seriously aware of this fault in ME and am consciously trying really hard to overcome it.

great thread xxxxxxxxx

 

[Urban Geek]

I didn't see the actual programme but did see clips of it. Yes she did struggle to take advice.

I struggle with criticism but I usually can deal with it when I have reflected. With any competitive industry I think you have to be very open to new ideas always. Being willing to listen to them doesn't mean you have to act on them but I love getting as much input on my business as possible.

I frequently research new products for various services and frequently update my skills. It keeps me motivated and I love building on my knowledge. I like to keep my working area whether it be my current salon or where I have previously rented space fresh, clean and very welcoming. I think I would revamp the colour scheme perhaps every two years. I often change my window display to reflect the season or local festivals.

I never take my clients for granted. I am well aware that they have a choice to come to me and expect me to give my best. Competition keeps me focussed and very much on my tip toes. I give my absolute best all the time.

I think we can learn from everone. I think also to get the most out of staff, you have to make them feel valued and acknowledgement of hard work goes a long distance - even a simple pat on the back (it does with me anyway)!

Great thread Izzy!

 

[Spa Therapist]

I saw this and thought that she was just after a free re-vamp to be honest. When they showed her the new display she got on the phone to her son and said "They are not even doing the floors! I can pay for it with my own money but..."

Cheeky mare if my hunch is right lol :lol:

 

[hippy-chick]

the owner had got the wrong end of the stick as spa therapist said, and I can't believe that the researchers wouldn't have checked her out properly, you generally go through loads of checks and vetted like mad before they "pick you".

i couldn't believe how rude she was.....theres no excuse of rudeness. Did you see the award winning bread artisan's face....he couldn't believe it!

Now, I'm a trained baker and have worked in bakeries before I shed that skin to become a holistic therapist, although not worked in the business for THIRTY SIX YEARS YOU KNOW! She was talking out of her bumhole saying that you can only buy pre-blended mixes to make speciality breads.
her counter was a bit dated, and too much of the same old same old.

I did think the outside of the cafe looked nice, and some speciality bread, cupcakes and danish pastries and croissants wouldn't have gone amiss.

anyhowwww, back the original question......I HATE CRITICISM, and would have found it very hard to take, I always marvel on how well the owners take criticism from Mary. Mary talks sense but she does come across a bit strong and she should have picked up on that straight away rather than bulldozering onwards.

i thought though that her points were very valid and it did make me think "what if she looked at guru holistics" .

She has done clothes shops and charity shops, perhaps we should all apply for her to come and do her magic for holistic/beauty/nails/hair.

 

[izzidoll]

I saw this and thought that she was just after a free re-vamp to be honest. When they showed her the new display she got on the phone to her son and said "They are not even doing the floors! I can pay for it with my own money but..."

Cheeky mare if my hunch is right lol :lol:

I totally agree she was after the BBC to pay for her shop refit and leave her cakes alone lol!!!

But she really should have snapped up the Designers ideas for the refit and all of Mary's sage advice, and not been so rude to the Bakery she visited!!!

That said, it was just an example I have used to see what we Geeks think of revamps, rebranding and generally keeping up to date, or of sometimes revamping can be throwing good money after bad!!!

What do you think?

 

[izzidoll]

She has done clothes shops and charity shops, perhaps we should all apply for her to come and do her magic for holistic/beauty/nails/hair.

How great would that be if one of this series was a holistic/nail/hair salon!!!
We could all learn something I am sure.

 

[hippy-chick]

ooooh (jumps up and down frantically!!!!!) idea! idea! idea!

what about we start a group where we invite a few local geeks to visit our premises and give some constructive feedback!!!!!!!!

Me first!!!!!!!

I would take criticism for my surroundings, have a tendency to overpower a room and have too much clutter. Some of the problems are working around the space that you are provided for though, and landlords can be quite particular.
for example, I asked if I could rip out the cupboards, get the walls skimmed, have a trendy little sink in the corner of the room and put new flooring down, all requests were turned down.

 

[persianista]

I would LOVE Mary Portas to come and help me with ideas. I spend so much time in my salons it becomes difficult to see through unbiased eyes.

 

[izzidoll]

what about we start a group where we invite a few local geeks to visit our premises and give some constructive feedback!!!!!!!!

.

I would LOVE Mary Portas to come and help me with ideas. I spend so much time in my salons it becomes difficult to see through unbiased eyes.

A fresh and impartial and totally business focused pair eyes looking at a salon could be a great idea!!

BUT...we all think we can take constructive criticism, but can we ? really?

 

[persianista]

If the person giving it has no axe to grind, and has the best of intentions then yes.

 

[fozzyo]

There is a Salon version of this in the States called Tabathas Salon Takeover ... worth a peek, even if the vids don't work here.

The criticism is always hard to take. But, the shops and owners who yeah get hurt and upset by it then take it onboard and listen and understand why and act on it turn their businesses around!

 

[Martigirl]

I love Tabatha she is brilliant

 

[fozzyo]

Unfortunately not seen any of Tabatha's programe, but what she did at Chicago Male Salon (was able to visit a few weeks back) turned it into one of the best looking salons I've visited!

 

[Martigirl]

Unfortunately not seen any of Tabatha's programe, but what she did at Chicago Male Salon (was able to visit a few weeks back) turned it into one of the best looking salons I've visited!

watched that episode the owner was an eejit but he turned round in the end and listened.

the receptionist was brilliant and Tabatha recognised his potential

great episode.

normally repeated on the Style channels


sorry Isabel for helping go off topic xxxxx

 

[Mam]

You must be open to new ideas. Trends and new products are making the evolution of beauty. I love nail design and new products to make it easier.
I like Konads, Shellac, French Tip Dip, and Minx products!
They are making everything so simple now!

 

[Blue Rose]

I haven't watched any of them yet but I think you can watch all the previous programmes here: Tabathas Salon Takeover - Episodes | Bravo TV Official Site