Yes it’s September and we start it off by celebrating Labor Day. Sometimes it seems like all we do is labor. Labor is working for wages. Almost all of us have to work to provide for our families but sometimes we get so busy that we don’t take the time to assess what we are doing, or to make improvements to what we are doing in order to get greater results. For example, last month we sent out a survey to assess “InSPAration Moments” to discover how our readers feel about the newsletter and we received so many positive responses, but we also received some great suggestions. I want to thank those of you who gave us feedback. From your feedback we redesigned the newsletter. Hope you like it! I encourage you to do the same. Assess your efforts and see what you can improve.

I know you are busy, especially if you have kids, and are getting them ready for another exciting school year. My son Charlie starts 8th grade on Monday. I’ve been very busy myself. We launched a new Executive Group CoachMe program, and over 470 people already signed up! If you haven’t yet, you owe it to yourself to look into it. Also, last week we had a great group of professionals join us for the Leap Ahead seminar, it was a great educational event!!

But my schedule didn't stop there. I just came back from Bogota, Colombia where I was keynote speaker at the Aprofest spa show. The show was very busy with many people hungry for knowledge. Go to our facebook page and check out some of the pictures.

In this issue, we are focusing on ways to improve performance. The feature article provides you with 7 Essential Business Strategies to Insure Growth. If you are having some business concerns, I want to remind you to take advantage of “Ask a Coach.” We provide you with free advice, no strings attached.

I wish you all a very happy Labor Day weekend and a great September!

7 Essential Business Strategies to Insure Growth – Seen in Les Nouvelles Esthetiques & Spa Sept Issue
According to the Department of Commerce, over 1 million businesses open up every year but only 40,000 of them stay open past the first 5 years. That’s a very small survival rate. Where does your business stand? Are you in a situation where you need intensive care? Will your business be among the survivors?

As a business development firm, we come across many businesses that are in survival mode. InSPAration Management’s mission is to help businesses get into good operational financial shape. We have learned what separates successful businesses from failing ones. To be successful, a solid business model is required. A good business structure includes: strategic planning, marketing and financial plans, operational systems and support. Strong leadership and high performance team players are required to keep business successful.

If you’re like most entrepreneurs, you probably had a great vision for your business and now you may be wondering where did that vision go? If you are having difficulties with your business, here are 7 Success Infusions to help you get back on the right track and revitalize your business.

1. Business Assessment
The first step is to conduct a S.W.O.T. analysis.
It’s an objective assessment of your current situation. Take the time to identify your spa’s:
Strengths, what are you doing well and do more of the same!
Weaknesses, what needs improvement? Make a list of all the challenges keeping you from achieving greater success.
Opportunities, what new opportunities can lead into new revenue streams?
Threats, what is holding you back?
This S.W.O.T. exercise will help you focus on your strengths and explore new opportunities.
Implement a plan to improve your challenges and build on your strengths.

2. Marketing Plan
Marketing is one of the most important business functions to any business. Without a marketing plan, your spa’s capacity is minimized, leading to low revenue generation. Your marketing goal should focus on generating new leads. Marketing should compel your new leads to visit your spa, to purchase and repurchase your products and services.

Many spa leaders are under the impression that marketing is expensive; therefore, they don’t market. Running your business without a marketing plan is like trying to drive a car without fuel. There are many effective, economical marketing strategies you can implement that will increase your spa’s traffic. i.e., e-marketing campaigns, promotions, in-spa marketing, special events, business 2 business. Take the time to create an annual marketing plan or simply buy one from us and watch your capacity increase!

3. Focus on Increasing your Volume per Guest
The easiest way to increase your sales is by focusing on the volume per guest. Calculate your current volume per guest for both service and retail, setting new goals for both. Teach your team how to maximize the number of treatments or upgrade opportunities. This will increase volume per guest. You can increase your volume two ways: 1. through the reception center 2. through your therapists. The reception department focuses on converting a la carte treatments into two or more treatments. This can be achieved with promotions and an upgrade menu. Therapists increase volume per guest by discovering the guests’ need and making all sorts of recommendations for both service and retail. Retail is a large missed opportunity, Stop missing the boat.

It can make a major, positive impact on your bottom line!

4. Team Performance & Expectations
Evaluate your team’s performance. Identify areas for improvement and implement training sessions to improve performance. The biggest mistake we see is that many spa directors do not set targets and goals with their team. Targets should include: number of new guests, repeat guests, retention rate, retail sales, service volume, etc. Targets must be set in the beginning of each month and evaluated at the end of each month. As a leader, continual monthly measurement of your spa’s performance insures growth and success. Another significant opportunity to focus on is your team’s rotation and how new guests are assigned. Calculate your team’s retention rate and begin assigning new guests to the team members who have higher retention rates. We call that "Power Rotation". This practice emphasizes the importance of delivering a great guest experience and motivates team members to improve their retention rate.

5. Generate New Leads/Guests
When you are in business, you need to continually generate new leads for your Sales Funnel to insure your pipeline is always full.

Do you track how many new leads you generate per month? Do you have a target or a goal as to how many leads you can turn into clients? How many new clients do you retain?

To generate new leads, you can utilize your current client base. Launch a referral campaign with your existing clients.

6. Tapping Into New Revenue Streams
Assess your menu and discover which treatments are selling and which are not. Introduce some new services to revive your menu and excite your database. There are many ways to introduce new treatments by partnering with other professionals. You can have someone come in one day per week to do medical treatments, acupuncture, or nutrition, the list is endless. This strategy creates new service offerings and taps into new revenue streams.

7. Team Communication
Share current conditions with your team. Be transparent and engage them in mapping out a new vision and in creating a new action plan. Ask your team to recommit to the spa and to the new vision.

Remember… you don’t have to reinvent the wheel. Firms like ours have proven effective systems that are guaranteed to produce results! Visit www.InSPArationManagment.com and explore all the BizTools that are available to help you set your business back on track. Need Help Implementing? Call us 407-210-3928.

Many InSPAration Management clients are Experiencing exponential growth. You can too!

Begin Planning for Holiday Success
In the August CoachMe Call I discussed 12 strategies to help the Silver Tier CoachMe members have the most successful Holiday season. The call is posted on the member only site. In case you are not a member yet I wanted to share with you a sneak preview of what I talked about.

12 Successful Holiday Planning Steps

1. Assess Last Year’s Performance – S.W.O.T.
   What worked well and what needs to improve.

2. Set Your Financial Goals for this year.
   If you set an itemized goal by category and share it with the team, you are more likely to achieve it. Make your goals a reality.

3. Holiday Strategic Planning - Team Meeting.
   Involve the team with the planning process and get their buy-in. When you do that, the team will be more motivated and participate at a higher level.

4. Create Gift Packages, Gift Card Packages and Promotions.
   Spend time planning and creating your packages. Make sure they contain added value.

5. Plan Black Friday.
   On a recent CoachMe call, I shared how one of our clients sold $60,000 worth of gift cards on Black Friday. Create your own Black Friday offer! (continue reading)

6. Merchandising Mix - Order necessary inventory.
   Order the right products this season. Go beyond just skin care. Create nice and fun gift items. I am providing all CoachMe Members with My Favorite List of items to buy from the New York Gift Show I just attended.

7. Decorate the Spa - Display Packages –Maximize Exposure.
   Get into the spirit with the right decorations. Remember less is more. Make sure you display your packages in an appealing and inviting way.

8. Revenue Through a Holiday Event.
   Plan your holiday event. To help you, we have the Secrets to Event Planning CD on sale for $25 when you join the CoachMe program. You can make thousands of dollars on your next event by implementing its content.

9. Web Site Holiday Update - Maximize Website Sales.
   Make sure you post all your packages on the web site and sell gift cards on there as well.

10. Train the Team – Reception and Therapists.
    Take some time to train the team on how to maximize sales and revenue.

11. Assign Team Targets – Team Awards.
    Plan a team party.

12. Measuring Results to Insure Your Success.
    Keep track early on and make adjustments as needed.

If you are a CoachMe member, you can download it and listen to it again. Click here to access member only page. Not a member yet? You can join now for only $9.95 per month!

Are you in NEED of an INCOME BOOST? We all are!

That's why I am recommending the "CoachMe" Silver Tier Membership.

Fact: Did you know that Business Coaching is one of the best ways to insure your growth? That’s why over 80% of Fortune 500 companies provide coaching to their management team! Through coaching, you can improve productivity, increase profits and achieve greater SUCCESS FASTER!

Having a private business coach is great, but it can be expensive. Many people can’t afford it, that’s why we created “CoachMe”. It’s the most affordable and effective executive business coaching program available.

CoachMe is a monthly executive group coaching call designed to help you boost your revenue and heighten your success.

How does it work? Every month we choose a spa business topic. You are provided a conference number to call in and listen. You can submit questions in advance. If you can’t make the call, no worries, you can go to the Silver Tier CoachMe ON DEMAND page at www.InSPArationManagment.com/coachme and access all the calls at any time! You can listen online or download them to listen to them later.

How much is it? For a minimal dollar amount and YES we mean minimal, for only $9.95 per month, you can attend one executive group coaching call every month! Listen to topics that are relevant, cutting edge, and innovative to help you achieve your goals.

Why is it so inexpensive? We have hundreds of spa professionals who are in the Silver Tier program, so we are able to pass on the savings to you! It’s our way to give back to the spa industry. You pay pennies a day to gain a major amount of insight and knowledge to help with your business! Click here to join!

Don't take our word for it...
"Being a part of the CoachMe! Call allows me to gain new ideas, as well as assurance of what my spas are doing well and what we need to improve. It's like having my own coach, but for a lot less. I love the fact that it keeps me focused and motivated!”
-Jan Jordan, President
Day Dreams Day Spa & Bath Shop (two locations).

Click here to Become a “CoachMe” Silver Tier Member for only $9.95 per month. We look forward to your participation! For more information on the CoachMe program and to view future calls, click here.

P.S. One more thing, Dori made a special offer during the call: Join now for $9.95 per month and receive Secrets to Successful Event Planning CD for only $25. Regular price $99. Click here to join and receive your bonus! You want this CD in your Success Library. You can make thousands of dollars on your next event! This offer is only good until Sept 1.

10 Economical Marketing Strategies
Is your spa operating under its capacity because you can’t afford marketing? You can change that by discovering 10 Economical Marketing Strategies. This program is guaranteed to drive new consumers to your spa and increase your spa’s capacity. All you have to do is implement the content and begin seeing the results. Marketing does not have to cost you a fortune, you can increase your spa’s capacity on a shoestring marketing budget. Don’t delay your success, purchase your copy and gain marketing insight to help you increase your revenue.Purchase Now for only $49

Founder and CEO - Dori Soukup
InSPAration Management is a business firm dedicated to assisting spa professionals with growing and enhancing their business. We help spa owners and leaders to maximize their spa's potential through consulting, advanced business education and coaching.

Consulting: Whether you've been in business for years or just starting out, we can help. Read More about Consulting

Education: The Soaring Ahead Educational Series offers advanced business education via seminars and webinars to spa professionals. We can positively impact your career and your business. Select from a wide variety of topics, locations, and dates. Read More about Education

BizTools: Select from budgets, compensation plans, position descriptions, marketing and more… Discover BizTools

Contact us to learn how we can help you grow your business and find success through InSPAration!