“A trial and error approach to finding quality education is unacceptable.”   – Jon Gonzales

It is getting more and more difficult to find quality education that meets job market and consumer demands. How do hairdressers and salon owners find unbiased education that focuses on their educational and business needs?

Innovation  in education is needed if we are to keep pace with other professions. Learning by trial and error is just unacceptable anymore. Tomorrow’s business minded professional will have to know more than how to cut and style hair if they want to compete ae higher levels of excellence.

As a concerned hairdresser, salon owner, I formed Hairdresser Career Development Systems to fill this educational void.

Unfortunately many of our hairdresser’s standards of living are not keeping pace with the rising cost of living. Equally disturbing is that many salon owners are finding it difficult to maintain and grow their business. Finding answers and quality education that is focused on your educational and business needs is hard to find.

If we are to raise the standard of living of hairdressers and salon owners, we must raise the standards of educational excellence.

Most well managed salons are now developing their own educational programs  in training and educating their team.

Far too many of my colleagues are  spending time and money on education that are nothing more than product hype disguised as education.

Before you invest your hard earned money on education, here are some tips to follow when seeking information

 

References — before you make a decision on paying your hard earned money for education, ask for references from other salon owners or colleague

Backgrounds of Educators — what are their backgrounds? How can someone tell you how to own a successful and profitable business, who never owned one? Is their background consists of just sales, and unrealistic promises. How much experience do they have in owning their own business? Is the education designed to make you feel good  a few days, or does this education present you with long term value and benefits.

Easy to Understand — most owners work long hours behind the chair, leaving very little time to practice what they have learned. Make sure you use common sense and seek out education that is practical and easy to understand.

Defining the Type of Education — before you spend money on education, write a list of your priorities, for example if you need more customers, them focus on marketing and advertising. If you want to improve staff performance, then focus on the educational needs of your staff. Do you want more artistic training? Do you want more product knowledge? Business management? Personal growth? Clearly define your educational needs.

Value for Your Money — are you measuring the results? Did your investment and time get you the results you wanted in growing your business? Have your sales gone up

Deep Rooted Obstacles — a education will not be effective if turnover is a continuing challenge. What are the causes of our challenges and obstacles? Turnover, poor leadership skills on the part of the owner, outdated education not responding to job market and consumer demands, too much bureaucracy and regulations, staff pirating, commission and price wars, and the list goes on and on. We must address theses challenges, if our education is going to be meaningful.

Outside Resources —don’t follow the crowd, sometimes you have to go outside our profession to find quality education. Social media could be a great start.

You tube offers great how to videos, and their free.

 

Avoid Glitter and Hype — clearly define your educational needs by working smarter, not harder. Seek out only quality education,education that you can take back to your salon for immediate benefits. Many of the hair styles we see at many of our trade shows are not realistic for the average consumer.

As you continue to grow, seek out the type of education that will help you make informed education decisions based on fact ,not hearsay.

Make sure you seek out education that will be focused on your educational and business needs.

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