Time to decide

A successful salon needs a secure environment for both clients and staff, which can be accomplished through good decision-making, explains salon business expert Liz McKeon

Decisions need to be made in business multiple times on a daily basis, and you must learn to quickly judge what is the right choice for the benefit of your salon business. If not, you can seriously affect that day’s profitability and the atmosphere in the salon, not least because staff do their best work when they feel that their job is secure. Every decision you make must be treated with care and careful consideration, but also with efficiency. Here are some reasons why being a good decision-maker is key to creating a successful business.

1 You make better choices

When you are an able decisionmaker from the outset, you will be much more likely to always keep the wellbeing of your business in mind. For example, you will be less likely to take the easiest path because you are tired, or favour an idea based on friendship, or make a choice without understanding all the facts. Instead, you will have a clear and sound mind, without any prejudices or influences interfering.

2 It helps with the bigger decisions

As the salon owner, you often have to make big decisions. Your ability to draw out the facts and find the best solution will be key. If you learn to be good at the smaller decisions, you will know to always seek out the opinions of trusted individuals with a direct approach. Whatever decisions you are faced with, you will ask these individuals what they would do in this particular situation. The more varied opinions you gather, the more likely you’ll be able to find the right solution.

3 It saves you time and money

When the leader is a good decisionmaker, they can save the business a lot in time and money. The longer it takes the management to tell the team about the choices that have been made, the longer it takes for the team to adapt to any changes needed to execute the business needs. A quick decision-maker facilitates the team to work more efficiently, thus getting the required results. The more efficient a salon is, the more money it is able to both save and make.

4 Employees become more confident

Showing your employees that you’re a good decision-maker can lead them down the path to success. Additionally, when your team feels that they can trust your judgement at every given moment, they’ll be more likely to bring you new ideas or concerns that could benefit your business overall. The more trusting your team is of your choices, the more opportunities you will find coming your way. By guiding your team towards new and exciting objectives, you’ll be able to bring the salon to new heights. And with confident staff behind you, even the most impossible task can somehow seem within reach.

5 Employees develop a stronger sense of commitment

When employees believe that business decisions are being made logically, reasonably and with everyone’s best interests in mind, they will be much more likely to commit themselves to the cause, and help achieve every goal you’ve set for the salon. Being a strong leader and decision-maker can help turn your work environment into a place of motivation and inspiration.

6 Your reputation will grow

Your reputation will benefit from wise decision-making. When you create an image of yourself that exudes a sense of confidence and power, you’ll also create a great reputation for you and your salon. Clients and suppliers will know that they can rely on you to get things done.

A salon can only ever be as successful as its leader; to be that successful leader, you need to make decisions with confidence and assurance. You can never be sure of the end result your decision will have, but having the will to make those choices will inspire those around you to follow your lead.