Team esteem/motivation

[Kate1982]

I have recently become more and more aware that my team seriously lack individual self esteem and as a consequence the motivationa nd teem work is well below parr.
I am wanting to do some sort of workshop day with them. Possibly with a company that specialise in self esteem issues in the work place.
Has anyone done anything like this or know of a company that offer these services. I am based in Yorkshire.

 

[Tinxy]

As their manager what do you do to encourage them and give them individual confidence?
How often do you do appraisals, 1-2-1s, personal development plan updates?
I'm sure there are companies willing to sell you days for the team to build their confidence... but personally I think most are a waste of time - I've done several for large corporations and the ONLY thing that lasts more than a week is continued good management and support from line managers - same would apply in a salon.
I had a team of 22 support engineers from 14 countries and it's hard work managing people and helping them develop and grow, if you want to invest in a course, go on one that teaches how to manage people - don't waste time sending people on a course teaching them how to be managed...

 

[Kate1982]

Thanks Tinxy
Definately understand and appreciate your point. Some of the girls issues are not just worked based though. Some are going through stuff at home and have a lot of personal issues. As much as they try and keep this out of the salon it can be hard when your self esteem is at an all time low. I went to a big conference at the weekend and one of the speakers had put in place a 'Fit for work' program in his salon with the belief that if your staff are emotionally balance they will be more productive at work. It really rang a few bells for me and got me thinking about trying to help these girls have more faith in themselves.
These are talented girls but just hitting a rough spot at the moment.

 

[LilMissEmmylou]

I actually am friends with a guy who is an amzing motivational speaker! He is based in Liverpool and spends a lot of the time working with students and teen single mums etc to boost their confidence. He does however offer motivational talks and team building activities to other companies at a very good rate. You can find him on facebook if you search "That guy who loves the universe"

From your level I would say the review idea is good. It gives them feedback on what they are good at and how they can improve (dont give negative feedback, always offer methods of improvement rather than making it seem negative). There is no reason you can't find some activity locally that they can do to build upon their team work and showing them how important it is to support each other. Outdoor pursuit places are often great for this!

 

[wonderwoman]

you ever watched tabitha coffey on tabitha takes over. Shes amazing! I get so inspired by watching her that i do relay it back to my staff! Shes firm, directive, i like it because she makes me think omg i sometimes get laid back on things, so its a nice eye opener on me on what i maybe doing wrong too....

i dont need motivational speakers but i feel you could do this to your staff and be the leader to take control of their personal issues that they are bringing INTO work and affecting YOUR business.

Questions to ask yourself... Do you compliement your staff, do you give appraisals and help one on one, its nurturing your buisness at the end of the day. If they are having a hard time at home they bring it to work to get it off their chest, if they were having a good time they wouldnt discuss it. think about staff incentives per month and additonal courses to perk up their confidence! I think it should be you thats setting the bar instead of other people assisting your staffs personal problems. hths xoxo

 

[Beansy]

If you google Clare Campbell she runs a company that runs a variety of workshops, primarily for women.
She does work around self esteem but also around team building which I'm sure would help in motivating your team.
I've used her before and also been on one of her workshops and would highly recommend her.
If you can't find the site let me know and I'll send it over. Just out and about on my phone at the mo.
http://www.clarecampbell.org/about-me/

 

[brightbeauty]

One to one sessions is a good idea for you to be able to find out what's going on with each therapist at home and why it is affecting their work. If they feel they can confide in someone and get things off their chest they won't be carrying around the stress on themselves all day. Regular staff meetings, ask them their opinions about their jobs and the salon see if they can give you some input / ideas to help boost the business get them more involved and feeling like they are a really important part of the team and how much they mean to you - you seem like a caring person and compassionate boss, obviously you still have to remain the boss and in control and keep that balance but their feedback could really help in a lot of ways and they will feel valued which goes a heck of a long way when you're an employee. Organise team building events every few months like a mucky mud assault course to get out of the salon. Book a spa day and have a treat YOURSELVES!! We all need to relax every now and then and i think as therapists we get so wrapped up in looking after other people we forget about ourselves. You could put targets and a commission structure in place where they get 10% of everything they earn over thier target for the month. And if all that fails or doesn't suit you - take them out for a good old girly night out, doll yourselves up to the nines and get the alcohol flowing!!

 

[Kate1982]

Thanks guys. I do have meeting and reviews with them and all that is fine but I'm not a trained counciler so sometimes it's hard to know what to suggest. I do offer incentives for them which are great but I feel they need a person with more knowledge of how to build up personal self esteem. So thanks for the links I will check thm out and if anyone knows anyone else please let me know.
Thanks

 

[PixieBeauty]

What about Go Ape? Not so ething I've done but everyone I know has loved it. It is a tough challenge (not impossible though) and requires you to push yourself out of your comfort zone. They are near York I believe-another idea altogether different from a salon environment. If you can get them to achieve something they may think very different to their natural talents it would be a huge boost-and gun. Plus the more naturally able in the group will have to support the others. It's supposed to be a real team-builder!!

 

[LilMissEmmylou]

What about Go Ape? Not so ething I've done but everyone I know has loved it. It is a tough challenge (not impossible though) and requires you to push yourself out of your comfort zone. They are near York I believe-another idea altogether different from a salon environment. If you can get them to achieve something they may think very different to their natural talents it would be a huge boost-and gun. Plus the more naturally able in the group will have to support the others. It's supposed to be a real team-builder!!

I LOOOVE this place! They are located all over the UK! Totally something I would say would be fab for team building exercises

 

[shedunlop]

Ask them what would excite them in the workplace. Sometimes it can be something simple like a thank you or to be told they are doing a good job. It is not always something big just the small stuff.

You could introduce employee of the month for them to work towards, with a reward for each one. Have a list of points that they are marked on, punctuality, retail sales, friendliness to clients and eachother etc. You could also encourage them to congratulate eachother for a job well done.

I think there is a lot of stuff that you can do on your own, without spending money on something that can't be measured for success.

Work out how much you would spend on this course for your staff. I would be inclined to offer an ipod or something similar, changing every month. One of the conditions of the employee of the month could be how much they help each other.

Just a thought! :green:

 

[crazybek]

Hi guys.
We are a small salon with 4 of us working like mad!
We have the boss,myself and 2 junior stylists.Both are building their column really well and clients are really pleased with their work,however one lacks confidence in colour and the other lacks confidence in her cutting skills.
They are both way above par for their time in the industry and we make sure we remind them of that alot.I also thank them alot for what they do as we are constantly hectic and they really are worth their weight in gold.
I tell them they are just as important if not more important than the owner or very top stylists as without their help we wouldnt get through the day.
We go to our bosses house for bbqs and drinks sometimes in the summer or to our local after work once in a while and chat about personal stuff without judgement but so they can get things off their chest and not feel like it could interfeere in their work.
We all get on really well and compliment each other and its a great atmosphere.
We have a planned night out soon where the boss will do the usual and get more hammered than the rest of us,but we have such a laugh!
I absolutly love my job ad work with the best group of people ever!
Now not many people can say that!x

 

[jb78]

Hi, I've only read the first couple of posts after your initial question, so apologies if this has already been suggested - but look online at and contact Virgin Unite. They work with charities and small businesses on all sorts of in-house issues and challenges and will run programmes for you, some of which would cover your staff motivation challenge. They are part of the Virgin (of Richard Branson fame!) group and so generally don't charge as they are funded to support various enterprises across the country. They're really good - I've worked with them before and was very impressed. X