Business Builder tip of the week, week 4, 2010

Welcome to week 4, 2010.

Here is your Ivan Zoot / clipperguy / Andis business builder tip of the week for week 4, 2010

Get caught sanitizing – Sanitizing tools and work spaces is required by law. The high visibility implementation of sanitizing procedures makes for strong marketing tactics. Change the solution in your wet sanitizer often to maintain the crystal clear, vivid blue color that says “clean”. Dump the jar often to lose the hair ball in the bottom too. Have a can of sanitizing clipper spray on your counter top in plain sight. Get caught using it every client, every time. Word will spread and bacteria will not. Good sanitizing procedures are just good business.

If you need to buy a sterilizer cabinet, a wet sanitizing jar, a bottle of the blue stuff...
have a look here!

If you like the weekly tips but do not have the patience to wait for the entire year... get all 52 at once... Buy my book, ClipperGuy Says... Get Busy, Ivan Zoot's 52 Week Road Map to Barbering Greatness.

Word of the week, week 4, 2010

The word of the week is not a word, but a phrase...

“Pitch and Wiggle” – The description of the motion used to manipulate a clipper comb to subtly change its angle relative to the head form to create tapering. The thumb and forefinger are utilized in a position similar to one which would be used to hold up a quarter.

This the key to developing top notch clipper-over-comb skills. Practice it. take a clipper comb with you everywhere... when you have a few seconds... whip it out and practice... That is how I learned to master the touch and feel of the manipulation.



Here is my Youtube video on clipper-over-comb. See Pitch and Wiggle live in action.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uA858G8w7_E

Also see the image above for proper hand position.

Bronner Bros. Feb. 2010

The 2010 Bronner Bros. hair show is coming up in Atlanta, GA in Feb. mark your calendar for great Andis clipper cutitng education, NEW Andis tool introductions and HOT Andis tool deals. Downtown ATL... the World Congress Center. Feb 20, 21, 22.
ttp://http://www.bronnerbros.com/shows/show201002/index.php
Over the next few weeks here in the blog I will be providing previews of all you can expect from Andis at this show.

IBS Insider

This is an inside look at the upcoming IBS NY show in March. Do not miss this show. Come see Andis and me there, live on stage for great educations and hot deals.

http://images.questex.com/IBSNY/2010/aenews1.10/ibsnynews0121.html

Busineess tip of the week, week 3, 2010

Here is your Andis, Ivan Zoot, ClipperGuy, business builder tip of the week excerpted from my book, ClipperGuy Says... Get Busy! Click here to buy the entire book if you can not wait all 52 weeks this year to get 'em all.
http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/215247

Week 3

Go short – The best way to build a clientele of clipper cutting and short hair is to wear short hair yourself. Lead by example. Clients look to you for guidance and inspiration. You are the licensed, experienced professional. There are very few busy barbers wearing pony tails. Wearing short hair lets you use and discuss short hair styling products from a powerful perspective. Getting your hair cut frequently keeps you in touch with the client experience.

Nuf said... No need to elaborate. The image included with this post is the one I use as an avatar on most web sites, etc... you should recognize me... My hair is short... for a reason!

Who are your mentors?

I am always speaking about how important it is in the professional beauty industry to have mentors. Today I was asked by a student in a class who were mine? Good question. I have learned a lot form many. I speak frequently of them in my programs... give credit where credit is due. So I thought I would share a few here and a few reasons why...

1. Kenny Alsup - The king of the clipper cutter demonstrators. When I was a student Kenny was all there was. there is no better. 10 hour days on the platform, non stop. he can cur ANYTHING with a clipper. There are no Google results for his name on the web as his dominance in our industry predated the Internet.

2. Jim Jones - The distinguished gentleman of clipper cutting education. As a student I watched Jim on stage... inspired to teach clipper cutting. Jim is still the best and can still be seen on stages at the bigger shows. If you get a chance to see him... do not miss it. better yet... take a private class. Jim Jones web site here.

3. Wayne Grund - master educator, professional speaker, produce manufacturer... I was lucky to get exposed to Wayne early on in my career when his information, energy and ideas could have the most impact. Still a force in the industry and a great inspiration to many, including me. here is his product site... Google him for tons of great stuff.

More mentors next week... I have a lot of people to recognize. I have been very lucky.

clipper tip week 3, 2010

Here is my clipper tip for week 3, 2010... a tip for the proper use of detachable blade clippers.
Snap On – Always engage a detachable blade on a clipper when the clipper is running. This avoids damaging the drive pin. This is very important. You can remove the blade with the clipper on or off... but only engage a blade with the clipper running. all detachable blade clippers... any detachable blade clipper... no exceptions.

Here is my complete book of clipper tips if you want them all and do not want to wait.http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/329467

new and Hot - Moni Pony

I am in Vegas for a trade show.
I am always on the look out for new and hot. Sometimes new and hot are all over the place. Sometimes it is scarce.
The new and hot thing I found that I like is Moni Poni.
Invented by an Israeli hair stylist... it came to him in a dream... A simple and easy, 1 piece molded pony tail holder/locker...
bright fun colors... fun/simple packaging. neat-O concept and easy to use.
Great for salon retail.
It is so good because it is so simple and so easy and one of those slap me in the head... why didn't I think of that ideas.

Tips for trade shows

The following is adapted from an article from the AACS. orig article was for beauty schools, but info works for any business.

Six Tips to Maximize Your Trade Show Exhibit Experience
Winter and spring are prime-time for trade shows, including bridal and prom expos. If your business is planning to participate in an upcoming show, the following tips can help you maximize the experience and generate more qualified leads/sales:
1.) Create an attractive display. There is no need to purchase an expensive table-top or full-size trade show booth. A few inexpensive, pop-up banners or even posters on easels can promote your business name and brand. Invest a small amount of money to create a more professional look than the standard draped table and cardboard hanger sign that comes with most exhibit agreements.
2.) Capture leads by having a drawing for a prize. Be sure to ask a few questions on the drawing form that will help you gauge prospective interest. Once the drawing is completed and the prize is awarded, be sure to enter all entry forms into your database. Even those not interested in a purchase may be down the road.
3.) Conduct demonstrations. Whatever you do, do what you do in some way to create interest and excitement.
4.) Look for fusion marketing opportunities. Identify other exhibitors who sell to the same audience. Use the show to network for marketing opportunities.
5.) Bring a lap-top and play a DVD related to your business.
6.) Generate traffic back to your business by offering coupons for special/free services to everyone who visits the booth.

AACShttp://www.beautyschools.org480-281-0431 / 800-831-1086

week 2, 2010 business builder tip

Here is your Andis / Ivan Zoot / ClipperGuy business builder tip of the week for week #2, 2010.

This one is easy and simple. And applies to all businesses and all employees.

Dress Better – You should be dressing just slightly better than the clients you hope to attract. No gym shoes. Dress slacks or khakis as opposed to blue jeans. You do not have to go all the way to a shirt and tie. Only wear a tee shirt if it has your shop logo on it. The look of a crisp, clean barber jacket can’t be beat for projecting a professional image. You can charge a bit more if you dress better. I have seen barbers in chair rental shops charging four times more than their coworkers. The bigger ticket cutters always dress better.

Manage your on line reputation

Here is a good little article on On-line reputation mgmt. Adapted from an article from the American Assn. of Cosmetology Schools... I tweaked it to apply to any business...
Have a look and a learn... Good stuff. More good things on their web site here.

3 Steps to Online Reputation Management
Small business owners know that word of mouth is an important part of the referral generating process. However, in today’s digital world, “word of mouse” may be even more important. Do you monitor your business'’ online reputation to see what others are saying about you in the cyber-sphere?
Online reputation management is particularly important today when many individuals turn to search engines first when they begin to consider a purchase. Ensuring your name comes up early in the search engine optimization process is important. Often, however, the first listings to appear following a search are online referral sites such as Yelp!, GoogleMap and CitySearch. A negative comment on one of these sites may deter a prospective customer.
Following are some tips that can assist with managing your businesses’ online reputation.
1. Check out your businesses’ reputation on the “centers of influence” in your local market. You don’t need to check every site; just the large ones. For example, visit Yelp.com, enter your city and business name, and you’ll be able to see what people are saying about their experience with your business. You may also want to check out the online conversation on Twitter, which makes it easy to search by business name.
2. Respond to negative inquiries, but in a polite and offline manner if possible. If the criticism appears legitimate (i.e. not a disgruntled former customer simply trying to cause trouble), it is acceptable to respond online, apologizing and explaining how the situation should have been handled in accordance with your procedures. Ask for an opportunity to serve the party again. Always refrain from getting into disputing the complaint or defending your actions. Once something enters the online world, it can literally reside there forever.
3. Consider ways to get raving fans to applaud your business. Admittedly, it may be harder to get those without an axe to grind to write about your business. Also, caution is important. Some businesses have been caught trying to buy positive referrals. This smacks of dishonesty and should be avoided at all costs. Ask your favorite customers who are avid social media users if they’d mind posting a reference about your business, or consider some point-of-sale signage. For example, signs at the register could say, “Were you delighted with your service today? Share the word on Yelp!”
Monitor the conversation, respond appropriately and personally, and engage your happy customers in the dialogue. Follow these three steps and you’ll be on your way to enhancing your business’ online reputation.

and the yelp! web site referenced above...

Economic Recovery, 2010, The game has changed

Economic recovery 2010, The game has changed

Many are happy to believe that we have hit bottom and begun the slow climb out of the economic hole that was the past year and one half. A and B salons, beware… if you plan is to enthusiastically embrace returning clients who fell off your radar screen during the downturn… You need to know… they are NOT coming back. $100 salons lost heads to $50 salons… $50 salons lost ‘em to $25 shops… and so on down the line. I heard form many chain salons exclaiming that the economic downturn was a gift. They saw new and different traffic than ever before. And they understood that if they served and supported these former bigger spenders that they could easily keep them when things improved. Many chains have done just this. These down-market shoppers have strong spending habits and LOVE to feel like they are getting a bargain. If the chain did not satisfy, they have gone looking for another… but they are likely NOT to go back to spending more than they now know they do not have to.
Upper end salons will have to master 3 things… rebooking current clients to keep them on a tight turnaround leash… and building average ticket so as to make the most of the opportunities they have… and, of course… asking, begging and groveling for referrals. Many salons got lazy in the prime years and forgot how to “work” for it.
The good news is that the basics of our business still hold up in any economy.
More on this in the coming weeks.

Week 1, 2010, clipper tip

Time to get 2010 off on the right foot. here is your Andis / Ivan Zoot / ClipperGuy Clipper Tip of the week for week 1, 2010.

Clean Sweep – Sweep frequently. It keeps the shop looking professional. A clean floor is a safe floor, too, preventing slips and falls.

Every client, every time. We stopped seeing the hair a long time ago. A wise boss once told me... "every client should walk up to the chair as if they were the first client of the day". This goes for station tops and mirrors too. If it is not convenient to grab the broom and sweep each client... MOVE THE BROOM!... So it is close at hand and fast and easy to do.

Sweep for all cutters in the shop when you sweep for yourself... do not get hung up on getting ALL the hair at the other stations... do not beat their feet up with the broom for that last snippet... Sweep your chair and make a quick pass at the others... if we all sweep for each other we all sweep less... and more often... and the shop is cleaner all the time.