Problems with our Nail Techs

[fewleh]

Morning fellow geeks - Trust you are all well.....

I'm posting mainly out of frustration, and partly in the vain hope that there might be a solution available on here to our problem...*fingers crossed*

Ever since we opened we have struggled to get decent nail techs. We have a lovely location, lovely beautiful premises and have spent a lot of money getting here. We're a year old, and have been chatting to our manageress recently (who's fab and has a big client base) and she thinks the other girls (we have 3 or 4 generally) are not doing enough.

They don't seem to engage the clients when they are in...they have NO regular client base, and they will come in on a day when they have NO client booked and sit there all day and maybe do one set of nails. This is a joke! (It only happened when the owners were away to be fair, its not a regular thing...) but we have a fantastic opportunity here in a lovely little town to make a good business. Our nail techs are even self employed..so it should be in their interest to make repeat bookings and engage with our customers...but they DONT and its so frustrating! We've opened two nights a week for late appointments, and the first thing said today was "oooo I want to go by 6.30, so don't book me anything in" by one of the two late shift girls!" .... I mean...COME ON. Other than that, theres one girl who just sits on reception, never washes up, never looks interested..never takes the initiative and doesnt seem to give a damn.

Before this, we had nail techs who were even worse, 50% of nails would come back broken and all sorts. The owner of the salon, and her manageress are both great...but the rest of the side are letting us down.

Where...or HOW can we get some good staff..that want to grow their own careers, aswell as ours? The incentive is there for them to do well, I don't understand why they are so uninspired - I lurk on here a lot at the posts and am envious - why can't we find passionate..able staff?!

The other aspect which is poor, is their retail selling. The manageress sells loads...the rest have barely even sold a cuticle oil - the bread and butter of nail care! They just don't sell things, our treatments nor the products! Help...we're doing so many things right, but just being let down and its so upsetting!

I wouldn't know where to start if I was reading this, so if you have any advice or tips you might be able to add that'd be great, or any experiences you've had yourselves...

Anybody around Marlow, Bucks looking for work?

 

[Pink Pink Pink]

Maybe you could operate a commision based incentive for retail sales?
Or set targets.. bonus for x number of returning clients.
Sounds like extra training is needed on their part if clients nails aren't staying on enough.
Even though they are self employed, it would be handy if they knew someone else had enquired about working there and you're more likely to allow someone who's motivated to use your name!
I think they might just need a kick up the bum...

You seem really frustrated. Hope it works out xx

 

[fewleh]

Thanks for your speedy reply pink I've had similar things going through my head to what you suggested..

Hmm, we have thought about some incentive based sales targets...definately going to help.

They definately need to be given a big kick up the bum; the nails lifting isn't much of a problem now. Is it worth trying to source staff from our local college? It has a really big beauty training programme..

Need to find a way to wake the staff up, and build their desire to do well! Any techniques other salon owners have found ? Maybe we need to have meetings to discuss the salon....sales techniques, aims, objectives and such so they feel more involved and part of it all?!

Definately need to let them know that if they don't pull their weight..their job is on the line.

I think I'm typing this out as a way of straightening out the next steps in my head more than asking q's

Hmm.

 

[Pink Pink Pink]

As far as the college recruitment goes... I personally would talk to the tutors and see who was the 'best' in class.
I'm doing Level 3 now and course is half way through, 2 people have just dropped out last week cause it was too difficult for them! What a waste of their time.
Anyway, that would be my suggestion.
It's good to know you are one of the few giving us recently qualified / students a break. I've been looking for work for over 4 months and everyone wants more experience.

(I worked 7 month in a salon)

 

[Kirstie77]

I wish i lived nearer to you!

I qualified as a nail tech in October and have even offered my services for free to get a bit of experience!

Students may need a bit of extra time to get the job done but they (In my opinion) are keen as you like!

Try it! Speak to the tutors and offer the best 2 students a months trial? you can kill 2 birds with one stone! You'll give your current techs a kick in the pants AND maybe recruit some more motivated staff!

hope you get it sorted!

On the flip side if anyone out there is looking for a free nail tech a couple of days a week PLEASE contact me! I just want to get some experience!!

 

[Terese]

If there self employed....they seem to be abit take it or leave it.

Have you thought about employing them?

Even if its for 1 or 2 days a week!

Do they feel involved in your salon( as you mention they just sit there)

Do you all go out for a drink one night a week or have an hour or two to do some bonding i.e facials, nails on each other.

With the incentives and targets it can put pressure on someone and it can have the opposite effect.

Have you spoken directly to them?

How did you come about them in the first place?

 

[twid]

I think incentives for staff and clients alike would be a great idea.

When I worked in a salon the owner wasnt really interested in us (the staff), she came in and did her thing, then generally moaned at us for not doing more just before leaving (she was part-time). Imo she did nothing constructive to help us, she could have made us feel more comfortable about selling or show us how to do it more effectively. It wasnt so bad for me as I am older but I know alot of the younger ones found it really hard, so I think it would have been better if we'd had some training in retailing.

Are all your girls quite young? are they total left to their own devices? sometimes I found that when the younger ones were left on their own they got quite demotivated and really needed someone a bit older to help keep them enthusiastic and their attention on the job in hand. I found that they needed a lot of encouragement and praise (like my own kids!) - Im not critizing younger techs and I know not everyone is like that but I'm only going by my experience.

Karaxxx

 

[julesgems]

Hi

with regards to your nail techs not engaging with clients, why aren't they? Are they friends and talk only to each other? Are they shy? Some techs just aren't good "people persons". At interview stage, you can usually tell if someone is chatty and friendly from the off. Sometimes the best qualifications doesn't necessarily make the best tech iykwim!

As for the selling side, on empty days i would get the techs out leafleting in the street - encourage business that way. Get them to talk about why they are applying solar oil and explain to the client its benefits and other uses. Offer a free mini massage with lotion (to sell the hand lotions) after every full set or infill. They could offer mini varnishes so that the client can top up their polish or correct chips during the weeks.

For the shift problem, tell them it is their responsibility to swap a shift if they cannot cover it theirselves. At the end of the day, you are advertising a late appointment system and need to be able to fulfill it for your clients.

Sounds like you need to have a regular staff meeting to encourage and offer them ideas. It will only benefit them if clients buy products or return for further treatments. I am assuming you already offer them a percentage/bonus for selling.

Good luck with it - it must be very frustrating for you! I am so glad I work alone!

 

[Urban Geek]

Did you do your homework when you employed the nail technicians, ie check their qualifications, training, portfolio and experience, etc.

Have you sat down and discussed your concerns with the technicians?

Perhaps call Sweet Squared Head Office on 0834 210 6060 and ask if they can recommend any Master Technicians in your area who might be interested.

I am self-employed and bend over backwards to accommodate my clients and to keep them coming back.

 

[Bettierae]

I know its an older thread but how did you get on, If you were nearer i'd know about 3-4 fab techs who are desperate for a really good opportunity like this. Its a shame you haven't got girls with a serious passion. Have you managed to have a word yet? Or made any decisions? x