Salonfocus May June 2015

£3.50 May/June 2015

The essential magazine for salon owners

Tomorrow's

WORLD TODAY How salons are embracing smarter ways of working

10 PAGE TECHNOLOGY

SPECIAL 6

Holiday pay ruling ‘could cost salons’

10

Industry faces massive rise in minimum wage

14

Could you be this year's Photographic Stylist of the Year?

Are you either?

AN EDUCATION BUSINESS A SUPPLIER OF SALON PRODUCTS, EQUIPMENT, SERVICES OR ADVICE Would you like to forge stronger links with salon owners?

The National Hairdressers’ Federation (NHF) welcomes applications for affiliate status from colleges, training academies, awarding organisations and other education businesses, as well as from from reputable suppliers to the hairdressing, barbering and beauty sectors.

By becoming an NHF affiliate you unlock all these benefits: • Raise your profile with salon owners • Entry into the NHF’s online directory of suppliers • Get up-to-date industry insight • Get your own views heard • Discounts on adverts and first option for sponsorship • Use the NHF member logo for increased credibility in the industry • Guaranteed acceptance onto the NHF pension scheme • Find salons looking for apprentices • Support your apprentices and their employers

For more info go to: http://www.nhf.info/become-an-affiliate/

t: 01234 831965 e: enquiries@nhf.info

www.nhf.info *Terms & Conditions apply. Not available in Republic of Ireland.

For full terms and conditions visit www.nhf.info

Contents

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T S P6 NEWS Warning over holiday pay

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P10 WAGE WOES The government rejects industry's views over the minimum wage

14 10 PAGE TECHNOLOGY

SPECIAL

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P12 DIGITAL DAWN The new apprenticeship “digital voucher” explained P13 IN THE CHAIR With Rachel Gould, editor of Modern Barber P14 IN THE FRAME Get snapping and enter this year’s Photographic Stylist of the Year competition P16-25 TECHNOLOGY SPECIAL REPORT How members are embracing technology, and why protecting your data is all about people.

Plus, your buyer’s guide “checklist” and the winner of our salonfocus/Premier Software competition P28 TIPPING POINT How to be tip top when it comes to managing tips P30 HOT STUFF Turn your salon into a summer “destination” P32 YOUR QUESTIONS Your employment and legal headaches answered P34 EVENTS All the detail about the NHF’s 2015 events

CONNECT WITH US AND HAVE YOUR COMMENTS AND TWEETS IN THE NEXT ISSUE OF SALONFOCUS May/June 2015 | salonfocus

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Welcome

PRESIDENT’S

L E T T E R SALONFOCUS IS PUBLISHED BY: National Hairdressers’ Federation, One Abbey Court, Fraser Road, Priory Business Park, Bedford MK44 3WH t: +44 (0) 1234 831965 f: +44 (0) 1234 838875 e: sfenquiries@salonfocus.co.uk w: www.nhf.info PUBLISHER Hilary Hall e: hilary.hall@nhf.info EDITOR Nic Paton e: sfeditor@salonfocus.co.uk EDITORIAL CONSULTANT Andrew Don e: sfeditor@salonfocus.co.uk EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Bianca Mulligan t: +44 (0) 1234 834385 e: sfeditor@salonfocus.co.uk AD SALES Media Shed Ltd, 22a Market Hill, Chatteris, Cambs PE16 6BA www.media-shed.co.uk ADVERTISING SALES MANAGER Gareth Macfarlane T: + 44 (0) 1354 818009 e: garethm@media-shed.co.uk DESIGN AND PRODUCTION Rick Fraterrigo Matrix Print Consultants Ltd t: +44 (0) 1536 527297 e: rick@matrixprint.com COVER IMAGE: JOE SAVAGE, BARBER AT MAXWELLS PROFESSIONAL HAIR & BEAUTY. POST PHOTOGRAPHIC While every care is taken in compiling this issue of salonfocus including manuscripts and photographs submitted, we accept no responsibility for any losses or damage, whatever the cause. All information and prices contained in advertisements are accepted by the publishers in good faith as being correct at the time of going to press. Neither the advertisers nor the publishers accept any responsibility for any variations affecting price variations or availability after the publication has gone to press. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without the permission of the publisher, to whom application must first be made. The views expressed by contributors to salonfocus are not necessarily those of the NHF, the publisher or its editor. © 2015 The National Hairdressers’ Federation.

Material for consideration in this section of the magazine should be submitted via email or digital file transfer to the editor, salonfocus. Submissions should be made on the understanding that the National Hairdressers’ Federation has the right to use the material in any part of the magazine and any of its other publications, promotions or website, free from any copyright restrictions, or appearance fees other than the issue of artistic and photographic credits where applicable. Please include salon name, photographer and stylist.

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y the time you read this we will be just days away from the General Election.

A lot has changed in the past five years. Some changes, like raising VAT to 20%, have not been popular. Others, such as giving small businesses 100% relief on rates, offering tax breaks through the Employment Allowance and the “trailblazers” reform of apprenticeships, have been positive.

ABOUT PAUL So, what’ll we want from a new Paul Curry is president of government? Top of our “wish list” has to the NHF and has owned Studio 12 in York for the be a stable economic climate. Whoever is past 25 years. He is also a member of the NHF’s in power, the priority needs to be ensuring creative working group, which is responsible for the recovery continues and is felt across organising Britain’s Best the whole country. and the NHF’s Photographic Stylist of the Year Second, we’ll be looking for continued competition. support for small businesses. As we show in this edition, in the past few months the government has come up with inventive ideas around apprenticeship funding, parking reforms and business rates.

That’s all welcome.

Less welcome was its decision to raise the minimum wage again from October, and the apprentice wage by a massive 20%. If salons feel apprentices are no longer affordable, this could cause real problems for the future. The decision was doubly disappointing because it over-ruled the Low Pay Commission, which had spent time listening to us.

As we look forward to a new political landscape, the voice of our industry definitely still needs to be heard – and we will continue to campaign on your behalf.

PAUL CURRY NHF president

CONTRIBUTORS RACHEL GOULD is editor of Modern Barber magazine

salonfocus | May/June 2015

IAN HENDRY is owner of Maxwells Professional Hair & Beauty in Biggleswade, Bedfordshire

SHARON CLAY is owner of H2O Hairdressing in Barrow upon Soar, near Loughborough

SALLY GLOVER is sales and marketing manager for Salon Genius

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News

HOLIDAY PAY RULE CHANGE

‘COULD COST

SALONS’

HF members are being advised to review how they calculate holiday pay, following a tribunal ruling that businesses must include commission payments within holiday pay.

usually includes commissions, then their holiday pay should include this too.

NHF chief executive Hilary Hall said the NHF has always advised salon owners to include commissions but this ruling would inevitably “push up wage bills” for salons that had previously failed to do this.

The ruling revolves around the case of a salesman with British Gas, Mr Lock, who argued that because 60% of his monthly salary had come from commissions his holiday pay should reflect that.

It’s now UK law that, if a worker’s pay

FAIR PAY RATE Hilary added: “It’s good news that a resolution has been reached on this long debated topic. We are continuing to advise salons owners to look back over the last three months and use the average to calculate a fair holiday

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pay rate for employees who receive commission.”

One good bit of news is it doesn’t look like salon owners are going to be inundated with backdated claims for holidays taken in previous years.

Andrew Willis, head of litigation at Croner, operator of the NHF’s Legal Lifeline, said: “Any tribunal action alleging an underpayment of holiday pay must normally be brought within three months.”

FIND OUT MORE The NHF has produced a factsheet, which can be found at nhf.info “Advice and resources, factsheets”.

PAYROLL PENALTIES Members are being reminded HM Revenue & Customs introduced new monthly fines from March for small businesses that report payroll information late.

Depending on their size, businesses now risk fines of between £100 and £400 a month for submitting their Full Payment Submission late, not sending in the expected

salonfocus | May/June 2015

number of submissions or failing to send an Employer Payment Summary.

The penalties are based on the number of employees a business has. The new regime brings small businesses into line with larger employers, which have been subject to similar penalties since October last year.

News

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY

SOUND SYSTEM

RENDEVOUS WITH MK Celebrity barber MK was the headline attraction at a barbering demonstration run by Blackpool branch in February.

The event, held at The Rendevous in Manchester and sponsored by MOOD Hair Colour and JGR Distributions, drew a big crowd – barbers, hairdressers and students from across the region.

MK explained the latest techniques and demonstrated the latest equipment and tools, showing a variety of techniques in both cutting and shaving.

Photograph by Richard Birch

WINNER One lucky NHF member has won a £5,000 salon sound system “makeover” in a competition run by music copyrighting company PRS for Music.

Paula Foskett, who runs One.a Hair & Beauty in Caernarfon and Llangefni in Wales, will receive a top-of-the-range sound system as well as advice from renowned music producer Steve Levine.

PRS for Music commercial director Paul Clements said the competition was to help show salons how they can use music to add to the client experience.

Paula (pictured with Steve Levine) said she was “ecstatic”, adding: “I know the music will provide a special experience for all our clients. We hope to attract lots of new clients."

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The NHF and specialist salon insurance broker Coversure Insurance Services are this year celebrating 10 years in partnership.

During this time, Coversure has been the NHF’s preferred broker, with members receiving a 20% discount on its Salonsure policy.

“After 10 years together, Coversure’s brokers understand the industry inside-out. Our cover includes the NHF’s allergy colour-testing protocols, so our team will find the best policy,” said Sarah Darling, Coversure head of marketing and affinities.

NEW NHF TREASURER Viren Voralia, financial controller and business partner at London salon Aglaea Hair and Beauty, has been elected honorary treasurer of the NHF. He takes over from Roy Sparkes, who completes his term of office in May. “My background will provide me with all the skills to become an effective honorary treasurer,” said Viren.

May/June 2015 | salonfocus

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News

NHF MAKES CASE FOR

APPRENTICESHIPS

HF members stepped up to the mark during National Apprenticeship Week in March, taking part in events around the country to promote the value of apprenticeships.

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The London Hairdressing Apprenticeship Academy (LHAA) took to the skies, on the London Eye, to highlight apprenticeship opportunities, including the existence of more than 50 training vacancies across the capital.

LHAA co-founder Trevor Luker said: “An apprenticeship is the hairdressing industry’s preferred first step on the career ladder.”

Trevor and his team were joined

by NHF chief executive Hilary Hall (pictured), who added: “Employers know apprenticeships are the best route into the industry, that’s why hairdressing is always in the top 10 most popular apprenticeship subjects.”

Kevin Huggins, owner of Fusion Hair & Beauty in Great Yarmouth, attended a reception to celebrate the government’s “trailblazer” reforms.

RATES REVIEW

The government’s launched its long-awaited review of Business rates in March.

First announced by chancellor George Osborne in his Autumn Statement in December, it is expected to report in the March 2016 Budget.

Chief secretary to the Treasury, Danny Alexander, pledged the review would be “radical”. Yet while the government has

salonfocus | May/June 2015

The trailblazer initiative is putting employers in the driving seat of developing and delivering apprenticeship training, with new industry standards unveiled earlier this year (salonfocus, March/April, 2015).

Hilary also made the industry’s case at the Annual Apprenticeship Conference run by education magazine FE Week and attended an event by the think-tank Demos to launch the findings from its Commission on Apprenticeships, which had taken evidence from NHF members.

PARENTAL PREJUDICE The commission’s main conclusion was that one of the key barriers stopping young people choosing apprenticeships is simply parental prejudice.

While 92% of parents agreed apprenticeships were a good alternative to going to university, and 77% felt more people should do them, just a third said they’d want their child to start one.

Separately, the NHF has stepped up its lobbying activity in Scotland, warning the Modern Apprenticeships programme there could “dry up overnight” without a major rethink over future funding.

As salonfocus reported in March, Skills Development Scotland has proposed funding for SVQ Level 2 qualifications be cut by 14% (or around £350 per trainee) over the next five years and SVQ Level 3s by 54%, or the equivalent of £3,300 per trainee.

FIND OUT MORE The commission report can be found at demos.co.uk/publications/ commissiononapprenticeships

made it clear it isn’t ruling out wholesale reform, it has also indicated it is likely the tax will remain based around property values.

The NHF has argued basing business rates around property prices gives online and out-of-town retailers an unfair competitive advantage.

The consultation closes on 12 June and salons interested in taking part should go to gov.uk and search under “rates review”.

News

TWITTER FOLLOWERS 6,942

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FACEBOOK LIKES 11,065

WHAT’S TRENDING HOW DO YOU STIMULATE YOUR APPRENTICES TO ENCOURAGE CREATIVITY YET CHANNEL THEIR ENERGY IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION? Maddison Avenue @maddisonavenue1 Believe & be passionate about our craft and you’ll succeed

PARKING REFORMS The NHF has welcomed moves by the government to allow shoppers more time to get back to their cars before risking a parking ticket and new powers being given to small businesses to lobby councils to ease back on over-zealous parking restrictions.

Under the new laws, announced in March by communities secretary Eric Pickles, drivers will have a 10-minute “grace period” to get back to their cars after their ticket or time is up.

Residents and local businesses will also be

given a right to demand a council reviews parking in its area, including charges, fines and use of yellow lines. New guidance will emphasise to councils that parking revenue must not be used to make a profit.

NHF president Paul Curry said: “Reforms like this are positive and long overdue, and will undoubtedly be welcomed by town centre hairdressing salons and barber shops.”

The laws were due to come into force from last month.

STEP UP & SHINE WINNER Sophie Freegard of Tops Hair Salon & Beauty in Melksham, Wiltshire, is the lucky winner of this year’s Christofer Mann Step Up & SHINE Scholarship.

Sophie beat eight other finalists to the prize of a year’s training and education worth £2,500 under the mentorship of

industry legend Debbie G. The winner was announced at the Fellowship for British Hairdressing’s President’s Night in April.

Sophie, who has been in the industry for seven years, said she was “really excited” at this opportunity and “looking forward to a great year!”

Radiant Hair @RadiantHairC Plan, prepare everything. Adopt proven business processes and apply passion to everyone and thing!

HABBenevolent @habbcharity Work more on your business than in your business

WHO IS THE MOST POPULAR CELEBRITY YOUR CLIENTS WANT TO LOOK LIKE? Chris Causey @chris_causey We still get people asking for the Frankie Bridge. But anyone with the long bouncy American look is popular atm Dawn A Miller @A24dawn Rita Ora – her stylist Chris Appleton is amazing!

JOIN IN THE CONVERSATION

@NHFederation

facebook.com/national hairdressersfederation

May/June 2015 | salonfocus

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Analysis: the National Minimum Wage

M I N I M W A G E

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SALONS ARE BRACING THEMSELVES FOR THE BIGGEST RISE IN THE MINIMUM WAGE FOR A GENERATION FROM THIS AUTUMN. he apprentice minimum wage will rise by a whopping 20%, or 57p an hour, from October, the government has said – at a stroke rejecting a lot of hard work by the Low Pay Commission and the NHF.

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Salons have, rightly, been getting excited about the real benefits they can expect to see when the new “trailblazer” apprenticeships launch, probably next year, with the latest details around funding reported overleaf.

But, following the government’s announcement in March that the apprentice wage is to go up 57p from this autumn – its biggest ever increase – by the time we get there will salons even be able to afford to take on apprentices anymore?

The announcement was a double disappointment for the NHF. First, led by president Paul Curry, the Federation had consistently urged ministers to be restrained in whatever increase they decided to push through.

SALON VISIT Second, the Low Pay Commission – which recommends to government what future rates should be – had spent some considerable time and effort taking on board the concerns of the industry, not just hearing evidence from the NHF but also visiting Ian Egerton, owner of The Stress Exchange in London and secretary of the London Region.

Commissioners met Ian and NHF chief executive Hilary Hall on three separate occasions, including spending half a day in his salon, discussing the challenges salons face around the minimum wage.

The result was it recommended a 2.6%

salonfocus | May/June 2015

increase in the apprentice wage, or a rise of 8p an hour. But, while ministers otherwise accepted its recommendations, this suggestion was comprehensively trashed.

It even led, quite unusually, to the commission putting out a statement expressing its disappointment at the government’s decision. “We based our judgment on a careful assessment of the evidence, seeking to benefit apprentices while also protecting the supply of places,” the commission said.

And Ian, speaking to salonfocus, agreed an increase of this magnitude could have significant consequences for salons.

“I was pleased when the commissioners visited because they appeared very much to be listening to what we were saying and took it all on board – and I think that was reflected in the report,” he said.

“So the government’s decision was very disappointing, although not really a surprise when you consider that we’re in an election year.

“Salons will adjust but it could be detrimental in the short term. In my salon I have about three trainees so it will mean having to find an extra £3,600 a year additional pay.

“I will have to think seriously about the number of trainees I can bring into the salon and whether I can afford to carry that number from October onwards.

It will also mean I potentially will have to increase the wages of other staff members because otherwise the gap will be so narrow,” he added.

WAGE WARNING All the rates will be increasing above inflation, with the rise in the adult wage the biggest since 2008 (see our cut-outand-keep guide to the new rates, right).

Stuart Turner, director of standards

and qualifications at the sector skills council SkillsActive, estimated the hike in the apprentice rate alone would add £1,000 a year to the average wage bill.

“Salons, especially small and medium sized ones, facing such a large increase, could reduce their recruitment of 16- to 18-year-old hairdressing apprentices this autumn,” he warned.

Paul Curry emphasised members now needed to spend the next five months ensuring their payroll systems were ready for October’s change.

“But our fear is it could lead to salons laying off valued employees to accommodate this increased cost,” he added.

Analysis: the National Minimum Wage

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THE NEW HOURLY RATES FROM OCTOBER 2015 ADULTS (AGED 21 AND ABOVE) CURRENT FROM OCTOBER CHANGE

£6.50 £6.70 UP 20p (3%)

18 – 20 YEAR OLD CURRENT FROM OCTOBER CHANGE

£5.13 £5.30 UP 17p (3%)

16 – 17 YEAR OLD CURRENT FROM OCTOBER CHANGE

£3.79 £3.87 UP 8p (2%)

APPRENTICE* CURRENT FROM OCTOBER CHANGE

£2.73 £3.30 UP 57p (20%)

* THE APPRENTICE WAGE WILL CONTINUE TO BE FOR APPRENTICES AGED 16-18 OR AGED 19 OR OVER IN THE FIRST YEAR OF AN APPRENTICESHIP.

May/June 2015 | salonfocus

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Analysis: apprenticeship funding

DIGITAL DAWN THE GOVERNMENT HAS SAID ‘TRAILBLAZER’ APPRENTICESHIPS WILL BE FUNDED BY A NEW ‘DIGITAL VOUCHER’ SYSTEM. SALONFOCUS LOOKS AT WHAT THIS MIGHT MEAN.

ne of the NHF’s concerns about the government’s plans for apprenticeship funding has been the potential burden on salons of having to manage complex training budgets.

But, with the idea of a digital voucher, ministers may have arrived at a solution.

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As salonfocus reported in March, a lot of the detail about what salons can expect in terms of funding when the new “trailblazer” apprenticeships are launched is still lacking.

But the government has now revealed some of its hand, outlining that funding will be based around a system of “digital vouchers” rather than, as it had previously suggested, through existing PAYE or payroll systems or some undefined apprenticeship “credit”.

So how will this all work?

Again, as yet, the detail is somewhat vague. But it appears the process will work as follows: A salon owner taking on an apprentice will register their details on a new computer system currently being developed by the Skills Funding Agency.

They will supply details of their business, the apprentice they are taking on and the apprenticeship standard (in other words hair, beauty or barbering) they are signing up to.

salonfocus | May/June 2014

The salon will then be issued with a digital voucher. This will take into account any discounts the business will be eligible for, for example if the apprentice is aged 16-18 or if it’s a small or micro business.

The salon owner will then pass the digital voucher (in reality likely to be an online voucher code) to the training provider.

The training provider will reclaim the value of the voucher back from the Skills Funding Agency.

In sum, initial indications are the new voucher will be relatively simple to use and therefore may mean much of the worry around administration and paperwork disappears.

However, the really big questions – the level of employer contribution and the actual cash businesses can expect back in the form of offsets, tax breaks or other incentives – for now remain unanswered and, realistically, are unlikely to become clear until well after this month’s General Election.

The final point worth stressing to salons is that, with all this uncertainty, it’s now looking like the new apprenticeships will not launch within hairdressing, barbering and beauty until September 2016 at the earliest, and quite possibly later.

ONLINE EXTRA The NHF’s Guide to Apprenticeships is available at nhf.info/nhf-guides/

In the chair

Q&A

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RACHEL GOULD CV in a minute › NAME: Rachel Gould

› BACKGROUND: A former international marketing manager at Vidal Sassoon Salons & Schools, Rachel moved into journalism in 2002, initially with Creative Head and then setting up her own business, Gould Company, in the process winning the 2005 Wella Hair Trade Journalism Award for Best Trade Article.

She became editor of Modern Barber in January 2014 and was one of the NHF’s 2014 Britain’s Best judges.

PASSION AND

TECHNIQUE Q

What projects are you looking forward to most over the next six months?

A

Barber Connect in June. It will be the magazine’s second year there and it’s such a privilege to meet and chat with the readership. It’s a lot of fun too!

Q A

What are going to be barbering’s future growth areas?

Added services – flaming, threading, waxing, facials.

I’ve even found barbers creating texture with perm and doing much more with colour than grey blending.

I also see a continuation of the hot towel shave services.

The biggest and easiest growth area is retail. There are literally hundreds of great looking, effective formulas for men and, once there is a widespread mindset shift to the barber as “retail adviser”, the growth will be exponential.

Q A

How do you feel technology is changing how barbers operate?

Social media is massive for barbering. It’s a very sociable and fast environment and social media reflects that; using it well makes a huge difference. The growing need for customers to plan their lives also means appointment systems are becoming more important. They aren’t for every barber shop, but it’s worth checking whether they might work for you.

Photography: Derek Cooknell

› CURRENT ROLE: Editor and publisher at Modern Barber magazine

Q A

What are the challenges or opportunities for barbers in 2015?

Overwhelming choice, fierce competition and a huge variation in standards. Barbering is cool, which brings in a surge of interest but not always a surge of quality, plus an influx of cheap “clipper jockeys” getting into the game. But the cream always rises and passionate and professional barbers will stay the course. It can only be a good thing.

Q A

What, to you, is the secret of a successful barbering business?

Passion, technique, pride and a massive interest in the person in the chair.

May/June 2015 | salonfocus Sept/Oct 2014

2014 Photographic winners: Barrie Lazarou – Lazarou Brothers, Birchgrove (left) and Ben Price – Robert John (right)

GET IN THE FRAME ENTRIES ARE NOW OPEN FOR THE NHF’S PRESTIGIOUS PHOTOGRAPHIC STYLIST OF THE YEAR COMPETITION. SO GET SNAPPING.

STEP ONE

TAKING YOUR PICTURE(S)

he NHF’s Photographic Stylist of the Year competition is a fabulous opportunity for stylists to experiment and innovate to create high-impact, visually stunning photographic images. But the clock is now ticking – the cut-off for entries is noon on Friday 18 September.

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This year there are four categories: • Male and Female Fashion Look Category 1 (open to those working towards Level 3).

• Male and Female Fashion Look Category 2 (open to all).

• Male and Female Fashion Collection (open to all).

• Male and Female Afro-Caribbean Look (open to all).

salonfocus | May/June 2015

Remember, taking the perfect photograph need not be tricky.

The key things to consider are lighting and layout. But do make sure your photographs are not too dark.

MALE AND FEMALE FASHION LOOK AND MALE AND FEMALE AFRO-CARIBBEAN LOOK These categories are judged on a single image. To enter you therefore simply need to create your fashion look and then take your picture.

MALE AND FEMALE FASHION COLLECTION For this category you are required to create, and present, a collection of images suitable for the front cover of a magazine.

To enter you therefore need to submit four images (high resolution JPEGs or TIFFs 300dpi minimum).

Competitions: Photographic Stylist of the Year

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HOW TO WIN (POSSIBLY)

We’ve all been there – snapped away just to end up with a load of blurry, poorly lit shots.

So if you want to get ahead in this competition it’s a good idea to follow these ten basic tips:

1) Know what you’re entering. In other words read the rules carefully and know which category you’re entering.

2) Set a budget, and stick to it. Don’t forget the cost of models, travel and food.

3) Create a moodboard. Look at as many styles and images out there as you can.

4) Take advice. What about creating your own mini artistic salon team?

5) Use social media. There may be photographers, models, make-up artists and clothes stylists out there willing to get involved just for the publicity.

6) Use your local college. Your local college may be able to put the word out you’re on the hunt for budding models, stylists, make-up artists and photographers.

7) Find a well-lit venue. If your salon isn’t right, again how about your local college?

8) Tell clients. They might have contacts or be prepared to model for you.

9) Ask someone you trust for feedback.

And take loads and loads of shots. The more pictures you take, the more likely you’ll be to find the perfect image.

10) Oh yes, create amazing hair!

WATCH OUT FOR BRITAIN’S BEST! The winners of the Photographic Stylist of the Year competition will be announced at this year’s Britain’s Best competition, which is being held at the Heritage Motor Centre in Warwickshire on 15 November. The July/August of salonfocus will contain a full run-down of this year’s categories and how to enter.

STEP TWO

SUBMITTING YOUR WORK MALE AND FEMALE FASHION LOOK AND MALE AND FEMALE AFRO-CARIBBEAN LOOK Complete the entry form at nhf.info/photographic.

Then simply upload your portrait image and make your payment.

MALE AND FEMALE FASHION COLLECTION Once you have created your collection of four images, you can digitally transfer them to the NHF using sites such as WeTransfer or Dropbox, using the email enquiries@nhf.info. Alternatively you can save your images to a disc or USB stick and send them by post to the NHF. You will also need to download, print out, fill in and send in the entry form by post. The address is on page four of salonfocus.

ENTRY FEES

Payment for your entry varies depending on the category you wish to enter. The prices are as follows: • Male and Female Fashion Look Category 1 – £10 • Male and Female Fashion Look Category 2 – £15 • Male and Female Afro-Caribbean Look – £15 • Male and Female Fashion Collection – £30 Full competition rules and terms and conditions can be found at nhf.info/photographic. Don’t forget, entries must be in by noon on 18 September.

10 PAGE TECHNOLOGY

Photography: Dave Weston Post Photographic

SPECIAL

FUTURE PROOF

IN-SALON TVS, IPADS AT THE CHAIR, ‘VIRTUAL’ CONSULTATIONS – NHF MEMBERS ARE ENHANCING THE CLIENT EXPERIENCE BY EMBRACING CUTTING EDGE TECHNOLOGY, AS SALONFOCUS HIGHLIGHTS OVER THE NEXT TEN PAGES.

using a lot of “ W e’re different technology

nowadays. Last autumn we completed a major refit and one of the biggest expenses was putting multimedia screens into our windows, three facing outwards, three facing inwards.”

So says NHF member Ian Hendry, owners of Maxwells Professional Hair & Beauty in Biggleswade in Bedfordshire.

Perhaps it’s a sign of the times, but the fact a major bit of technological kit was one of his biggest outlays speaks volumes for the way technology is changing the salon environment and salon experience.

And Ian, for one, is adamant this investment has been well worth it.

“Whereas before we just had static promotional images in the window that we could only change perhaps once a

salonfocus | May/June 2015

IT’S ABOUT HOW PEOPLE CAN COMMUNICATE WITH THE SALON; IT’S ABOUT HELPING YOU TICK ALL THE BOXES THAT WILL GIVE CLIENTS THE BEST POSSIBLE EXPERIENCE

week, now we can display any image we want and update it in a second. They’re on until 10pm so anyone walking past in the evening will see them,” he says.

NHF members, as our survey overleaf highlights, are leading the way when it

comes to investing in new technology to enhance the client experience, whether that’s TVs, tablets and DVDs, Wi-Fi, online booking systems or apps.

In Ian’s case, his salon employs 36 staff split over three departments – ladies hairdressing, a men’s salon and a beauty salon. Technology is one of the things that links the business together yet also helps to make the client experience more individual and personalised.

“We’ve installed promotional TV screens within the salon. We can do different things in different areas, team news, beauty-specific information in the beauty salon, colour information, that sort of thing,” says Ian. “We have mini-iPads that clients can use, too. We recently did some wedding fairs and you could show styles, colours, testimonials and so on. If we’d tried to do it as a booklet it would have cost a fortune, but with the tablets it was interactive and clients could just tap through it.”

TECHNOLOGY SPECIAL: INNOVATION

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MARK LEESON: IN-MIRROR TV

Facts and figures

200 million Estimated number of tablet computers in the world

1

1,500 Number of times on average people check their phones a week Sources: GSMA Intelligence, US Census Bureau, Tecmark

The salon is also embracing the NHF app, which Ian describes as working for the salon as “a portal for clients to connect in whichever way they chose” and is highly active on social media.

“For us this hasn’t been something where you can say, ‘we’ve had x number of extra people coming in because of this’; it’s more intangible than that.

It’s just about creating awareness and adding to the experience,” says Ian. “It’s not about any one piece of technology; it’s about how people can communicate with the salon and how you interact with clients; it’s about technology helping you tick all the boxes that will give clients the best possible experience,” he adds.

COMPUTERISED CONSULTATION Another pioneering NHF member is Ian McCallum, director of McCallum Hair Design in Glasgow, who has developed an at-the-chair “virtual” tablet-based colour consultation system through his

NHF affiliate company Salon Doctor.

“It includes ‘before’ and ‘after’ pictures and provides a comprehensive summary, with the decisions carried out as to which services are suitable. It even goes into homecare recommendations,” Ian explains.

“Even if a client comes in and asks about her visit from a year ago, the consultation, summary and pictures can all be viewed, including the client’s own signature, to say they are satisfied before they leave the salon,” he adds.

Equally innovative is the concept of inmirror TVs, something being pioneered by 2014 British Hairdresser of the Year Mark Leeson in his Chesterfield salon and developed by Epsom-based Salon Media Screen.

When switched on, high definition promotional images appear. But when switched off, the image completely disappears, leaving a “normal” mirror.

“I have had an incredible response.

The content is very cool,” says Mark.

May/June 2015 | salonfocus

TECHNOLOGY SPECIAL: WHAT MEMBERS ARE DOING

A BETTER EXPERIENCE TECHNOLOGY IS PROFOUNDLY CHANGING HOW SALONS COMMUNICATE AND INTERACT WITH CLIENTS. WE SURVEYED MEMBERS TO FIND OUT MORE.

OTHER THAN JUST PHONING UP OR PHYSICALLY COMING INTO THE SALON, HOW CAN CLIENTS COMMUNICATE WITH THE SALON AND HOW DO YOU COMMUNICATE WITH CLIENTS?

87.7%

85.9%

65%

et’s all hope we never get to the point where we settle into the chair and wait patiently for the friendly robot stylist to glide over with comb and scissors in its outstretched claw.

L

But, as salonfocus discovered when it surveyed more than 100 NHF members, technology, tablets, apps, TVs and free Wi-Fi are becoming ever more commonplace within salons.

Salonfocus asked members what they were doing with technology, what “kit” or gizmos they were putting into their salons and what they felt was coming next.

The verdict was pretty clear-cut. More than half (52%) were planning to invest in new technology in the coming 12 months.

Wi-Fi was the most common technology offered by salons, followed by tablets, in-salon TV screens and DVD players or screens.

CLIENT EXPERIENCE Technology was also changing the way salons communicate with clients, and vice versa, with nearly 86% reporting contact via text, push messaging, social media and email all increasing.

Two thirds also said access to technology was now “very important” to the client experience, with 95% believing this would only become even more so in the future.

And why are members doing all this? As one member put it: “The screen will become the ‘silent salesman’ – product and trend information without the sales pitch.”

“A wider range of entertainment rather than just reading,” added another.

Or, as a third, rather candidly, summed it up: “Make more money, give staff and clients a better experience.”

salonfocus | May/June 2015

PUSH NOTIFICATIONS

65%

11.3%

SALON APP

18

24.5%

TECHNOLOGY SPECIAL: WHAT MEMBERS ARE DOING

19

SOCIALLY MOBILE DAN STRUTT

DAN IS CO-FOUNDER OF SAPPSUMA, THE COMPANY BEHIND THE NHF’S APP

SALON APPS – INCLUDING THE NHF’S – HAVE REALLY TAKEN OFF IN THE PAST TWO YEARS, SAYS DAN STRUTT. Two years ago apps were only just beginning to enter the salon industry. The challenge was to make them affordable for smaller businesses while still including features useful for clients.

The early salon apps were predominantly booking apps, allowing customers to request appointments easily from their phones. Most can still do this, but they’ve evolved massively.

More and more salons are now using the in-app loyalty programmes, offering coupons or deals or money off retail products to reward loyal clients.

Another innovation is scheduled “push” messaging, essentially free promotional messages you can set up to go out at a specific time, perhaps ahead of Easter or Mother’s Day. Salons are increasingly using push messages for general hair hints and tips.

Another great way to use the app is for customer referrals.

So you offer rewards to clients for, say, promoting the app on Facebook, Twitter or another social media feed.

‘ONE TOUCH’ CALLING Many clients like “one touch” calling using an app – in other words the convenience of being able just to click “call” from within the app rather than having to search for the salon number.

The key, as with any app, is to keep it interesting, so remember to update offers, vouchers or content. When updating it can be a good idea to send out push messages about the update.

You probably want to be sending at least a couple of push messages a month. This will not be so many as to be obtrusive or annoying but will keep your salon in people's minds.

THE NHF'S APP The NHF app is available for a £70 plus VAT set-up fee, including full design, after which it is £30 a month plus VAT. For more details go to nhf.info and look up “NHF apps” under “Membership packages”.

May/June 2015 | salonfocus

20

TECHNOLOGY SPECIAL: NHF COMPETITION

THIS IS WHAT SHARON WON

Photography: Derek Cooknell

• Premier Salon licence • Premier Remote • All-in-one touchscreen computer • Receipt printer • Till drawer • Barcode scanner • Two days training • Premier postcode • Gift voucher tracking • 100 gift cards • 300 loyalty tags • Three months’ free software support

SWITCH

PERFECT SALON OWNER SHARON CLAY IS THE WINNER OF OUR SOFTWARE COMPETITION, AND PLANS TO USE HER WINDFALL TO TAKE HER SALON TECHNOLOGY TO THE NEXT LEVEL.

ack in January, salonfocus teamed up with Premier Salon from Premier Software to offer one lucky NHF member the chance to win a software package worth nearly £3,000.

B

salonfocus | May/June 2015

The winner was revealed in February, with Sharon Clay, owner of H2O Hairdressing in the village of Barrow upon Soar, just outside Loughborough, receiving the £2,895 package from Premier operations manager Leonie Wileman and salonfocus editor Nic Paton.

The salon has been going very successfully for 12 years and now employs 21 staff. Winning the competition came out of the blue, but was excellent timing, explained Sharon.

“I was very, very surprised when I heard we’d won. I’ve never, ever won a thing before, so very, very shocked!” she told salonfocus.

“We’ve been computerised ever since we opened but our current software, being 12 years old, is very slow; so we want to speed everything up. We’d been looking at systems for about the last six months,” she explained.

TEXT REMINDERS “Switching to a new system is something you’re always a bit nervous about doing – it’s a big expenditure. So winning this package is brilliant for us,” said Sharon.

“We’re looking at doing things like online bookings and more online and text marketing. A lot of clients now are asking ‘can you text me the details’ or want a text reminder, and we’re not able to do that at the minute. So it’ll help with no-shows in the salon and offers.

As a marketing tool I think it will be brilliant for us,” Sharon added.

Salonfocus will catch up with Sharon and her team later on in the year to see how she’s got on with the new system, and how upgrading in this way has helped take her salon to a new level.

26th June 2015

Hairdressers Helping Hairdressers Day

Your industry charity, HABB, is calling on the hairdressing industry to unite for an exciting day of fundraising activity for hairdressers in need.

There are lots of ways to get involved from simply donating your tips that day through to doing something whacky to get yourself noticed!

To find out more go to www.habb.org

Don’t miss out and start planning now for the Hairdressers Helping Hairdressers Day on 26th June 2015 Find us at www.facebook.com/habbcharity or #HelpingHairdressersDay on Twitter

22

TECHNOLOGY SPECIAL: BUYER'S GUIDE

QUESTION

TIME UPGRADING TO A NEW SALON SOFTWARE SYSTEM IS A BIG DECISION. BEFORE YOU BUY, YOU NEED TO ASK EIGHT KEY QUESTIONS, SAYS SALLY GLOVER.

SALLY GLOVER

SALLY IS SALES AND MARKETING MANAGER FOR SALON GENIUS

good software system is a critical part of making the client experience smooth and seamless. But the pace at which technology is improving means it is a good idea to be replacing or upgrading your technology on a regular basis. Before you buy, here’s what you need to be asking.

A

1

HOW GOOD IS THE APPOINTMENT DIARY? The right system will efficiently manage your appointment diary and reduce errors such as double bookings and clients being booked in for unsuitable treatments. Look for a multi-search facility, as this will allow staff to search for single or a combination of appointments quickly.

It should be able to do prompt rebooking to encourage repeat bookings and be able to recommend appropriate retail options. It should also be able to send out SMS appointment reminders to help eliminate no-shows.

salonfocus | May/June 2015

2

HOW WILL IT HELP ME MANAGE MY STAFF? Clearly, at one level, this is your job as the salon owner. But your system should enable you easily to track holidays, sickness and appointments. Check whether it caters for commission schemes and shows what is due to each staff member at the end of a set period.

Will you, too, be able to pull up key performance indicators, which can show quickly how team-members are performing in areas such as client retention, retail sales and average bill?

3

HOW WILL IT HELP ME WITH MARKETING? A good system should store detailed client information, from services received and products purchased, down to hair colour. You should be able to use this for targeted marketing campaigns, by SMS text message, email or, if you choose, post, with the system automatically generating the message for you.

4

WILL IT BE ABLE TO TAKE ONLINE BOOKINGS? Ideally your system should allow clients to book an appointment at any time of the day or night online. Ask, too, about tools to enable bookings through smartphones and tablets.

5

HOW WILL IT IMPROVE CLIENT LOYALTY? Most good systems nowadays should have an inbuilt loyalty scheme function. This will enable you to offer incentives to clients if they visit in your quieter periods as well as things like birthday incentives, gift redemptions and point-based rewards.

TECHNOLOGY SPECIAL: BUYER'S GUIDE

6

WHAT SORT OF REPORTS WILL IT GENERATE? More and more salon owners are recognising their software reports are a really powerful salon tool.

Look for a function such as “what-if” gauges that can enable you to look at what gains could be if you did x, y or z over a period of time.

You should be able to measure your salon against others within your group, region or even nationally. If you run a chain of salons look for whether the software has an estate management tool. A good reporting suite should also enable you to spot trends in services and retail sales as well as manage your team’s performance more effectively.

7

HOW WILL IT IMPROVE MY SALON'S STOCK CONTROL? Stock-taking no longer need be a lengthy laborious task. A good system should fully track stock usage and alert you when items are getting low. It should also be able to give you detailed usage on best sellers, non-movers and validation reports, all of which should ensure you are never under or over-stocked and should potentially help with retail sales too.

8

WHAT TRAINING AND SUPPORT IS OFFERED? This is a critical question to ask, ideally during the buying process but certainly upon installation. A good supplier will offer on-site training at the time of install followed by top-up training at a convenient date.

23

HOW THE NHF CAN HELP However expensive or high-spec, the technology on your reception desk, in your back office or around your salon is only going to be able to do what you, and your staff, tell it to do.

This is where the NHF can help through its new guide, What the Right Salon Software can do for Your Business, produced in association with Premier Software.

The guide, which also accompanies our programme of business events “How to Motivate and Increase Productivity in your Team”, shows owners how their computer can become an invaluable extra “silent salon manager”, helping to improve staff performance, reduce costs, enhance the client experience and promote the salon brand.

It highlights how, as the salon owner, you can use your system for much more than just taking bookings, managing the diary or crunching accounts, and why it is important to train your staff so they know and understand how to make full use of the technology at their disposal.

The guide is available at nhf.info/nhf-guides.

24

TECHNOLOGY SPECIAL: SALON SECURITY

SAFETY IN

NUMBERS FOR THE AVERAGE SALON, THE BIGGEST CYBER SECURITY THREAT IS NOT HACKERS OR VIRUSES, BUT STAFF BEING CARELESS. ANDREW DON REPORTS.

ost salon owners live in terror of their client data being lost, corrupted or, worst of all, stolen and somehow made public.

M

It’s not just the financial loss of such a scenario that can give a salon owner sleepless nights, but the serious reputational damage that will accompany such a breach of trust.

Yet, while we read headlines about the cyber security threat posed by North Korean hackers or groups like “Anonymous”, the reality is the biggest threat to your software security will often be closer to home – your team.

Whether it’s writing down a password on a sticky note and leaving it stuck to the terminal, failing to close down a confidential screen, copying information on to a memory stick and then losing it or uploading data on to a (much less secure) smartphone, there are countless ways your valuable salon data can be put at risk by people being thoughtless when it comes to security.

And this is before we even get to the (thankfully relatively rare) threat posed by a member of staff acting maliciously, for example taking client data with them when they move to a new salon.

PEOPLE ISSUE As Walter Rossi, a specialist at telecoms and IT firm Daisy Group, points out, the key is simply to be vigilant, and aware that computer security is predominantly a people issue rather than to do with computers and technology.

“When it comes to data security, all too often businesses focus purely on IT processes and forget about the staff that will be using them,” he says.

salonfocus | May/June 2015

IF NOTHING ELSE, READ THIS • Ensure all staff are properly trained and aware of security • Review your data protection policies regularly • Store sensitive data safely and restrict who has access to computers • Encourage staff not to write passwords down or leave them lying around

THERE ARE COUNTLESS WAYS YOUR VALUABLE SALON DATA CAN BE PUT AT RISK BY PEOPLE BEING THOUGHTLESS WHEN IT COMES TO SECURITY.

“Businesses must be proactive and educate their staff about what data security processes and policies there are, why they exist, what the staff members’ responsibilities are and reassure them about what to do in the event of a problem,” he adds.

EDUCATION Salon owners should not assume all employees are clued up on everything IT-related, agrees Heather Gilroy, brand development manager at criminal record checks company Personnel Checks.

To that end it’s important to be very clear with staff about what is and isn’t acceptable when it comes to salon data.

For example, stress it’s not OK to take client data out of the salon – even if it’s nominally because someone is trying to be helpful and perhaps planning to work from home on their laptop.

It can also be a good idea to set up your system so there are levels of security, with only the most trusted employees able to access the most sensitive information about the salon.

TECHNOLOGY SPECIAL: SALON SECURITY

25

HOW SECURE

ARE YOUR

PASSWORDS?

36%

Fail to change passwords regularly

17%

Admit their password is simple or easy to guess

7%

Would be happy to email client details to a third party not employed by their company

47%

of data breaches last year were caused by staff

32%

of breaches included unauthorised access to data

16%

of breaches included misuse of confidential information

13%

Admit to having disabled password protection features because they find them “annoying�

Information supplied by Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and The Daisy Group.

May/June 2015 | salonfocus

28

Advice: managing tips

TIPPING POINT

TIPS ARE A WAY OF LIFE IN HAIRDRESSING. BUT, WITH ILLEGAL TIPPING IN THE SPOTLIGHT, SALONS SHOULD THINK ABOUT SIGNING UP TO THE GOVERNMENT’S TIPPING CODE OF PRACTICE.

alonfocus in March highlighted how tips are a common feature of hairdressing but there are also strong suspicions within government that some salons are using tips to “top up” the pay of their apprentices to the minimum wage, something that has been illegal since 2009.

BUSINESSES THAT SIGN UP TO THE CODE PLEDGE THEMSELVES TO COMPLY WITH NATIONAL MINIMUM WAGE LEGISLATION, ESPECIALLY THE 2009 RULE CHANGE. THIS MEANS: • Regardless of how an employee is paid, no tips can be used to make up national minimum wage pay.

• Businesses must ensure they comply with current employment law more generally.

With hairdressing now being investigated by HM Revenue & Customs over its record on pay, as also reported by salonfocus in March, salons need to be redoubling their efforts to ensure not only that they are compliant with the law around tipping but that they are seen to be complying with it.

One way to do this is to sign up to the government’s tipping Code of Best Practice. This was established in the wake of the 2009 minimum wage rule change and sets out basic voluntary principles and measures that businesses commit themselves to meet.

THE CODE HAS FOUR KEY “PRINCIPLES OF TRANSPARENCY” • Businesses will clearly display on their premises their policy relating to mandatory or discretionary tips.

• Businesses will have a process in place to deal with requests from clients as to how and to whom tips are distributed.

• Businesses must ensure workers are able to explain the salon’s policy on tips to clients, or can direct them to someone who does.

• All workers should be kept fully informed about how tips are collected and distributed.

S

salonfocus | May/June 2015

Facts and figures

£

75% Percentage of hairdressing apprentices who say they receive tips

£ £

29% Percentage of all apprentices (not just hairdressing) who say they are not paid the correct minimum wage and who also receive tips

£ 5-10% Average level of hairdressing tip Sources: HMRC, Debrett’s

Advice: managing tips

INFORMATION AVAILABLE TO CLIENTS SHOULD INCLUDE: • Whether the tip is mandatory or discretionary.

• Whether an amount is deducted by the business to cover any costs incurred (for example payroll processing if a tip is added to a credit or debit card bill).

• Whether cash tips and card tips are distributed differently.

• How any remainder is shared between the business and workers.

Information should be clear and easily visible, perhaps via door stickers or wall notices, in the reception area or outlined on the client’s bill.

SALONS SHOULD ENSURE THAT STAFF: • Understand the process for the distribution of tips between the business and the workers and between workers themselves (for example, if a tronc distribution scheme is operated and who the tronc master is).

• Are aware of the amount and purpose of any deductions from tips, and seek

REGARDLESS OF HOW AN EMPLOYEE IS PAID, NO TIPS CAN BE USED TO MAKE UP NATIONAL MINIMUM WAGE PAY.

to reach agreement with workers on any policy change.

• Have access to a written statement setting out the business’ policies on tips, which can also be provided to clients.

• Are aware of the level of deductions from tips made to cover breakages, till shortages or client walk-outs.

• Are aware of how the business’ grievance procedure works in the event of any dispute over tipping.

• Are able to access all this in a written statement. If workers are being employed for whom English

29

is not their first language, the business should consider making it available in other languages. This written statement should also include information on: how tips are distributed; if cash and card tips are treated differently; how much is deducted for administration and what this covers; any other deductions; what happens during holidays, sick leave, parental leave and other forms of leave.

• Where tips are passed to workers without national insurance having been deducted, workers should be informed this may have implications for entitlement to certain social security benefits.

As a footnote, salons should remember tips are subject to tax, just like someone’s wages. Employees should also be reminded it is their responsibility to declare any cash tips they receive.

ONLINE EXTRA The full code can be found at gov.uk, and then search for “tipping code of practice”.

May/June 2015 | salonfocus

30

Advice: getting ready for the summer

HOT STUFF

AS THE WEATHER WARMS UP, OFFERING EXTRAS CAN MAKE YOUR SALON AN ATTRACTIVE SUMMER DESTINATION, WRITES ANDREW DON.

t is Saturday: the sun is blazing, the sky is Mediterranean blue.

Where would you rather be, picnicking in the park or stuck in a hot, stuffy salon?

I

Put that way, it’s hard to see how salons can compete when clients’ thoughts turn to wanting to live a bit more “al fresco”, even with the uncertainty of the average British summer.

Nevertheless, as the weather warms up, offering extra little touches beyond your normal hair and beauty services can help to turn a salon into more of a summer “destination”.

A glass of decent chilled white wine, delicately cut sandwiches, a selection of canapés, perhaps Italian ice-cream and premium coffee can all hit the mark. Or how about good-quality biscuits, iced coffee, iced tea and fresh juices?

SUMMER ‘MENU’ For salons lucky enough to have a wide pavement outside, a few tables at which clients can sit and have a drink and read a magazine away from the heat and the buzz of the salon can often work well too.

Tatiana Karelina, owner of Tatiana Hair Extensions, which has salons in London and Manchester, says: “Creating

an environment your clients actually want to spend time in is a crucial part of running a successful business.

“These days we don’t just offer hair extensions, our guests want more: since we opened our doors in 2008 we started offering our clients an extensive range of complimentary non-alcoholic and alcoholic drinks, loose leaf teas and infusions, mineral waters and fruit juices.”

As well as a summer menu, the salon offers mulled wine, “spiced tea” selections and hot chocolate with marshmallows during the winter.

For the summertime, Tatiana noticed clients really enjoyed a glass of bubbly when the weather got warmer. “So if our clients wish to indulge, a chilled glass of wine or Champagne is on offer,” she says.

When a client spends a few hours in the chair it is also important to have a food menu handy, she adds.

To that end, she works closely with a next-door restaurant called Terrace.

“Terrace’s dishes focus on healthy, nutrient-dense produce and the clients love their food,” Tatiana says.

SMALL TOUCHES Howard Yuill runs Howard Yuill Hairdressing in Hale, Cheshire, and says he is constantly looking for ways to improve clients’ experience while at his salon.

WHAT YOU COULD OFFER… • Chilled white wine or rosé • Champagne and Prosecco • Ready-to-drink cocktails • Biscuits, canapés or sandwiches • Premium coffee, including espresso, latte and cappuccino • Selection of teas, including herbal and loose leaf • Freshly-made juices

salonfocus | May/June 2015

“I have a mixed client base, both male and female, young and old. My female clients tend to enjoy a cup of tea or coffee while having their hair styled,” he tells salonfocus.

For example, he offers The Lotus Biscoff, an individually wrapped biscuit often known as “the hairdresser’s biscuit” because it is served by thousands of hairdressers with the drinks they serve their clients.

“The biscuits are popular with all my customers, and I’m regularly asked by my clients for a couple of extra ones to take home with them,” says Howard.

“I stock the 1 x 300 pack. It’s a small case but holds lots of biscuits and because they’re all individually wrapped they’re always fresh.

As they don’t contain any chocolate they are ideal for serving in a hot environment “In such a competitive business, it’s the small touches that customers really appreciate and keep them coming back,” he adds.

… AND THE EXTRA KIT YOU MIGHT NEED • Juicer • Sandwich maker • Portable grill • Microwave • Espresso machine • Coffee percolator • Single-serve cafetières

Advice: getting ready for the summer

31

IF NOTHING ELSE READ THIS… • Food and drink can be a great way to create a summer buzz • Think what training staff will need, especially around hygiene or health and safety • Will you need a licence? If you’re serving food or alcohol, or even just putting out tables, you probably will.

Check with your council

May/June 2015 | salonfocus

32

Q&A LEGAL LIFELINE Members with a business, legal or employment question can call the Legal Lifeline on 01234 831965 or email enquiries@nhf.info.

Employment-related support is available 24/7 and advice on commercial issues 9am-5pm Monday-Friday.

YOUR

QUESTIONS embers in March wanted advice on how to handle an employee working out his notice in another salon, a suspicious VAT mail-shot and a worker’s right to be accompanied to a hearing.

M

Q

Is there any penalty if an employer fails to comply with a worker’s right to be accompanied at a disciplinary or grievance hearing?

A

A worker indeed has a statutory right to bring a claim that their employer failed to comply with their right to be accompanied to a disciplinary or grievance hearing. If the claim succeeds, a tribunal can award the worker a maximum of two weeks’ pay, based on the statutory limit of a week’s pay, or £464 in Great Britain and £470 in Northern Ireland.

In addition to this, the worker may be entitled to compensation for any “loss or detriment suffered in breach of this right”, although the employee will need to show evidence of this.

salonfocus | May/June 2015

Q

One of our employees recently handed in his notice. Friday was his last day of employment; however he was off work from the Tuesday using up his accrued annual leave.

We have since heard that from the Tuesday he was working for his new employer. Do we have to pay him for those holiday days?

A

In the circumstances, unfortunately there is little you can do, given the employee had left your employment and was entitled to be paid for any accrued but unused holiday. If you were to try to withhold the pay for those last three days, you could potentially face a claim of failing to pay holiday pay under the Working Time Regulations and/or for breach of contract for not paying him to what he was entitled.

Q

I have received a mailshot from a company in Germany entitled “Publication of Companies and VAT Registration Numbers in the UK Corporate Portal”. Do I have to supply the details they request?

A

NO! The letter claims that because of some change to the “EU Economic Package” businesses are required to update their details.

The letter looks as if it comes from an official source, but it does not, it is from a commercial company.

There is no requirement to return the form and, if you do, you will receive a demand for nearly £800 a year for three years.

It is also worth being aware this is not the first time salons have been targeted in this way.

Salonfocus, for example, last year warned salons about a very similar letter doing the rounds (salonfocus, July/August 2014).

Although that company, the UK Corporate Portal, insisted to salonfocus it was a legitimate online resource for small businesses, its activities were well-known to trading standards officers.

The best advice, if you receive this mailshot or a variant of it, is to pass it on to your trading standards department and/or Action Fraud actionfraud.police.uk/.

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COMING UP IN JULY/AUGUST

THE ‘ECO’ EDITION INCLUDING….

The ‘eco’ salon – what it costs, why do it and how it stacks up

+

Recycling: can it really make a difference?

+

Your steps to a greener (and more profitable) future

+

How to cut your water usage… and your bill

34

BOOKINGS Anyone interested in attending NHF events should contact the NHF team on 01234 831965 or events@nhf. info. Bookings can be made online at nhf.info/events

Events

EVENTS 17

MAY NHF Annual General Meeting, Pullman Hotel, Euston, London

NOW FOR THE

SCIENCE BIT

18

MAY Central England Hairdresser of the Year, Birmingham Contact Colin Gardner on 01213 783321

3, 10 & 17

JUNE London Region Incredibles Download your application form at nhf.info/incredibles

07

JUNE South West Competition, Taunton Contact Elke Hayden on 01803 863271

14

JUNE Welsh Open Hairdressing Championships, Cardiff Contact Mark Coray on 02920 481481 or nhfhair@aol.com

15

NOVEMBER Britain’s Best, Heritage Motor Centre, Warwickshire

BUSINESS EVENTS HOW TO MAKE YOUR SALON MORE PROFITABLE 11 May – Durham 01 June – Leicester 15 June – Southampton 07 September – Bridgend 21 September – Stirling 12 October – Stockport 19 October – Ipswich HOW TO MAKE YOUR SALON MORE PROFITABLE (FOLLOW-ON) 6 July – Cannock HOW TO MOTIVATE AND INCREASE PRODUCTIVITY IN YOUR TEAM 21 September – Derby TRICHOLOGY STARTER SESSION 18 May – Coventry 06 July – Taunton 21 September – Brighton

salonfocus | May/June 2015

OUR TRICHOLOGY EVENTS CAN GIVE YOU A DEEPER UNDERSTANDING OF HAIR, AND HAIRDRESSING. For all its reputation of being a creative “art”, hairdressing has a lot of science behind it, and these days stylists at all levels need a decent basic understanding of science and maths if they want to get on in their career.

To that end, a knowledge and understanding of trichology – or the science of the hair and the scalp – is vital for the modern-day salon owner, especially in the context of increased use of colouring and allergy testing.

“The use of hair products in the salon has never been greater, as is the awareness among clients of health, safety and wellbeing. So it’s important hairdressers know what product they’re using, what it does and the claims being made about it,” explains

Brian Plunkett of Trichocare, who is running the NHF’s programme of Trichology Starter Session events.

These events help owners understand the difference between irritants and allergens and the causes of hair loss.

“Hairdressers often say, ‘I’m an artist, not a scientist in a white coat, why is this relevant to me’? But you can use your expertise to say whether a product is great or not, which will improve the client relationship,” says Brian.

BOOKINGS Tickets cost £15 for members and £50 for non-members and can be booked through nhf.info/events or contacting events@nhf.info or 01234 831965.

PENSION EVENTS UNDERSTANDING AUTO-ENROLMENT 11 May – Nottingham 08 June – Glasgow 06 July – Manchester 13 July – York

07 September – London 14 September – Dundee 05 October – Worcester

Anyone interested in attending any of these pensions events can book online at nhf.info or through the NHF’s pensions website, nhfpensions.co.uk, or by calling 01234 831965.

PENSION WEBINAR

The webinar will be able to be viewed online at nhf.info/events.

29

JUNE

28

SEPTEMBER

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Iconic design spring loaded seat cushions gown rail removable headrest Takara Belmont branded footrest with stopper

RRP £1,850

A&F Price £1,750

+VAT

SPECIAL OFFER Buy an Apollo barber’s chair get a FREE waiting sofa worth up to £199.

Choose from the Duel or Alicante

Duel

£175

Alicante £199

...We have the largest selection of salon equipment available in the UK! For more information go online www.astonandfincher.co.uk or call 0121 331 2023 Terms & Conditions: Normal furniture terms and conditions apply. 35% deposit required. Balance to be paid 7 days before delivery. If goods are to be leased then a 10% deposit is required. This is refunded when the lease lender releases money. Delivery charges apply POA. Aston & Fincher retro terms cannot be applied to this promotion. This promotion cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer or on VAT Free Days. No cash alternative.

Prices are excluding VAT and are correct at time of printing, but are subject to change. Lead time upto 12 weeks. Offer valid until Monday 31st August 2015

Salon Insurance Specifically designed for members from the only approved insurance broker to the NHF 20% discount for NHF members and our price match guarantee* Colouring Members can use the NHF colour record cards instead of allergy testing before every treatment.

Cover includes as standard: • Tenants Improvements • Contents • Stock

Call today for a quote 0800 458 81 81 Mobile users:

01480 700 160 www.coversure.co.uk/nhf

* Like for like quotations only. Subject to minimum premiums, and underwriters acceptance. Terms and conditions apply.