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34 | BEAUTY LAUNCHPAD | JANUARY 2018 Live & Learn/ Business Affairs Is your salon staff running on autopilot? Use these expert tips to reinspire your team when they're stuck in a rut. —TM Team Spirit Andrew Dale shares dos and don'ts for maintaining a happier and more motivated staff . DON'T criticize staff in public. DO off er praise on a regular basis. DO off er the tools for your team members to do their best job—i.e. product on the shelf and a fully stocked back bar. DO make sure you maintain a clean salon environment. LEADING THE PACK L ow morale, spiritless stylists or basic burnout can sap the energy from your salon space in a snap. The result? A crash in customer service and team camaraderie, plus mounting negativity toward the workplace, according to Andrew Dale, founder and CEO of UNITE (@unite_hair). "As stylists, we're bombarded with so many personalities on any given day, both staff and clients—many of whom share a lot of heavy personal issues, which can run down the batteries," he details. "Not to mention that we're standing all day, which is physically taxing. I've been a stylist for 39 years, and I wish I'd known how to combat that day-to-day fatigue." Since exercise can help boost productivity in the workplace, Dale has a yoga instructor come to the salon once a week. "We move the furniture, lay down mats, and allow the staff to stretch, relax and re-energize," he explains. "The costs are minimal—$50 to $70 for an hour—and completely worth the investment." He also orchestrates a creative evening for team members by blocking out two to three hours and having everyone complete a new color, updo or editorial styling. Then, they talk about why they created each look and why it's inspiring. "As stylists, many of us get into the industry for the creativity and fashion—but eventually bills, children and day- to-day responsibilities deplete our creativity," says Dale. "Allow your team the space to reinvigorate their creative sides!" Last but not least, don't forget to have fun. Dale hosts movie nights for his staff with popcorn, beer and wine, where he screens an inspiring, artistic or creative fi lm (i.e. the Vidal Sassoon documentary)—it's a great way for the team to chill out and have fun together. Ultimately, an ideal strategy engages the creative sides of your stylists, gives them fresh inspiration, and strengthens the team's bonds. "I once had a team that got together to do a fashion show for the fashion institute in San Diego," Dale notes. "That project really brought us together; everyone got inspired and energized." UNITE founder and CEO Andrew Dale Dale teaches his Paramount Business class. COURTESY OF UNITE