It is only with the determination and dedication of your people that you can serve your clients . So how can leaders help develop those qualities ? What do people want when it comes to a lasting job and career ? It typically boils down to three things : creating an atmosphere your team enjoys walking into every day , providing fair and good compensation and establishing clear channels of communication with management .
It may not be a surprise to find that these questions are related primarily to a business ’ s employees . That ’ s because the key to running an agile business is to focus on your greatest asset : your people . Employee satisfaction means client satisfaction . It is only with the determination and dedication of your people that you can serve your clients . So how can leaders help develop those qualities ? What do people want when it comes to a lasting job and career ? It typically boils down to three things : creating an atmosphere your team enjoys walking into every day , providing fair and good compensation and establishing clear channels of communication with management .
Company Culture
Perhaps more than ever before , company culture plays a significant role in the success of modern businesses . Establishing a company culture focused on a positive work environment and rooted in valuing people above all else is the first step to being a resilient , agile business . In that kind of culture , staff know what is expected of them , they are given the tools to be successful and are celebrated for their individual strengths . In that kind of culture , communication with leadership is open and transparent , and each person ’ s passions are aligned with business objectives , which will set your business up for success .
Let ’ s have a look at a few statements that offer insight into the approaches of a few successful brand cultures :
● Southwest Airlines : “ Warrior Spirit ; Servant ’ s Heart ; Fun-loving Attitude .”
● Birchbox : “ Apply only if you ’ re hopelessly optimistic .”
● Four Seasons : “ Our greatest asset and our strength is our people .”
In slightly different ways , each of these brief statements reveals something about the philosophy of brands making them , highlighting some of their values in an appeal to potential and existing team members . As spas and resource partners evaluate the ways in which their practices and procedures support a people-first culture , they may consider trying to distill their own philosophy into a brief , easy-to-understand statement ( or statements ) that reflect their values and communicate them to current and future team members .
As individuals join your spa or company , they are envisioning starting the career of their dreams . Far beyond the offer letter , employees are looking for a work environment that is positive , fun and built on a mutual trust and respect , where their opinions matter and their ideas are considered . Coincidentally , this is the shortest path to creating an agile business .
Put simply , an agile business places people at the center of everything it does , engaging and empowering every member at the team . When people are at the center , both employees and customers are far more likely to receive what they need from a business .
Staff Compensation
Speaking of what employees need : Compensation is arguably the most important piece of the puzzle when analyzing the important mix of spa metrics and key performance indicators , though it can also be one of the most challenging to place . After all , there are so many compensation models : hourly , salary , hourly plus commission , straight commission , team-based pay and hybrids of any of these .
JUNE 2021 ■ PULSE 37