Lasse Eriksen: 'Future spa is all about togetherness’

Farris Bad’s development manager, Lasse Eriksen (below), explains why he is committed to investing in people and building a competitive edge

Why are you so passionate about spa competitions?

Some spa professionals find the concept of competitions difficult, as they feel sauna and massage should not be competitive. I concur with this view in some ways, but also see benefits of competition and know first-hand how powerful it is to create togetherness and motivate teams. During aufguss competitions we share diverse perspectives and learn so much from each other. Dealing with guests in spas requires a unique set of skills and when people are together for a competition they will enrich their skills as a spa professional in every way. This is why we as a team at Farris Bad have chosen to join, host and support competitions that showcase massage and sauna expertise.

Dedication and time to perfect your own sauna ceremony or massage technique to get to competition level evolves your skills as a spa professional. Spa is a life study you can never finish learning!

What benefits do the competitions bring to your spa?

The outcome is a win-win. Competitions create a higher self-awareness across our team and everyone tries to achieve perfection. Our spa and guests benefit daily from extremely dedicated and skilled professionals who push for quality. I urge other spas to think about competitions. Hosting your own events and competitions brings benefits to your guests and inspires your team. I have found our reputation as a ‘serious spa’ now helps us to hire and connect with the very best in the field. By hosting events and supporting your therapist to travel

to events, you also establish a strong bond of respect. Feeling supported is a fundamental key to keeping your very best people. We are also an active member of International Massage Association, the International Sauna Association and Aufguss WM. Our membership gives us the very best network for our resort and staff. By hosting events supported by the associations we can set the highest standard for participants.

What advice would you give other spa leaders?

The future is all about human connection. We need to focus on developing world-class therapists, rather than treatments. Spa menus need to evolve to serve a much more demanding customer base. It will be all about the therapist – their personal skills, philosophy and expertise to serve the client’s needs. As an industry, I would like to see our therapists being given much more creative freedom in the choice of techniques and style.

The global sweat-bathing movement is one to watch. It’s growing bigger and stronger and I am sure more nations and cultures will dig much deeper into this world. I would welcome more spas to join us to learn sauna skills, to embrace story-telling and the spirit of steam.