Get Started Easy
Thank you for being one of those people that will click on a thing that says “Start Here”! We’re going to get along great.
This page sets you up to win as a new subscriber to the Salon Associate Accelerator system. It’s the Essentials and nothing else. There’s even a checklist. At the bottom is a link to the Extending section, for when you’re ready to level up.
First Things First
When in doubt, there are two resources for quick answers:
The Help Guide for Teams has all the answers for inviting and managing your groups and for viewing their progress reports.
The Checklist
Who doesn’t love a checklist? Download and print the Salon Associate Accelerator Onboarding Checklist, and getting started will be step-by-step easy.
Preparation
Equipment
We’ll use all the usual suspects. Here’s an overview of all the tools.
- each associate will use 4 mannequins total – 4 for the color workshops, 2 of which will be cut progressively shorter in the design and finish workshops
- clips, combs, brushes, elastics, a spray bottle
- a blow dryer with diffuser and nozzle
- a flat iron, at least two barrel sizes of curling iron, and a mini-crimper
- color bowls and brushes, color bottle with applicator, foils, color board
- good-quality shears
- clipper with guards
Setup
Invite your associates and educators.
- Invite your associates through the Group Management panel (complete instructions are in the Help Guide for Teams)
- Use the same steps to invite your educators to their educator group so they can access the Educators Edition
- Add your educators to the associates group as Group Leaders so they can view the progress reports
Procedure
The course is designed for associates to mostly work independently, especially after the Jumpstart. Your role will mostly be to check the work and offer guidance. Once you’re set up, you will have a lot more free time than you used to.
- Review each workshop before you assign it so you are ready to support
- A few workshops in the Jumpstart require a personal demonstration from the educator because each salon does things a little differently
- Allow your associate about 2 hours for each workshop but they do vary
- Allow time for the journal/debrief phase, and be sure to resolve all questions before continuing. Associates can download the full journal here.
- Check their work, offer constructive feedback, then either schedule more practice or advance
- Encourage practice at home
- Assessments require 2-3 hours with an educator. Allow associates enough time in advance to prepare and to arrange for a model.
- As associates pass each assessment, take advantage of their new skills by putting them to work with clients as much as possible
- Want help with scheduling? Download the 90-day Accelerator Planner from the Extending page.
The Assessment Process 🔽
A salon is not designed for full-time learning. Gotta keep the revenue flowing. The faster we can qualify our associates and get them on the floor, the better.
The Accelerator’s assessments make it easy to demonstrate that they can reliably meet or beat your salon’s standards for a particular skill, so you can confidently put them on the floor performing that skill for clients. No need to wait for quarterly reviews, no need to shadow for a year.
Here are the general steps common to every assessment.
One-Week Brief
- When your associate has Marked Complete for a skill (see: Reports), check in with them about scheduling their assessment, allowing enough time for practice.
- One week out, personally review each step of the assessment so you are 100% confident in directing it.
- For each assessment, we include the Score Sheet and a Definitions Sheet. Download and print as needed. Associates should get a copy of the Definitions so they know what’s expected.
- Some assessments also include a Headform Diagram. Download and print those as well, including one for the associate.
- Clearly establish the standards that are expected in order to pass.
- If a live model is required, make sure the associate has time to find one.
- Specify the length and color requirements. For example, a previously cut mannequin is perfectly fine for scissor-over-comb, but if the skill is a one-length bob, the mannequin cannot already have short layers at the top.
Pre-Game
- Dedicate your undivided attention to observing and scoring the work.
- Grab your clipboard. And your pen. And a backup pen.
- Park a couple blank sheets of paper on top of the Scoresheet to shield it from curious eyes. The second blank sheet is good for detailed notes, which is important for constructive review.
- Keep it all neat for the associate’s permanent file.
- 30 minutes before the arrival of the model:
- It’s an assessment, but the associate is only hearing four-letter words: TEST. PASS. FAIL. You can ease the stress by telling them that they start with a perfect score. You’re only subtracting a point when something is missed.
- Give them a few minutes to set up.
- You’re just a fly on the wall. They should focus on the client experience.
- Most steps are timed. The times are based on salon standards. You’ll warn them when time is running short.
- At the end of a step, you may ask them to pause and step aside so you can check the work. You’ll ask them to stand where they can’t be distracted by trying to see your scoring sheet.
Client-Centric Focus
The guest arrives. Does the associate greet them warmly and make them feel welcome and relaxed with courteous instructions? Take notes:
- How does the associate greet the client?
- How is their manner in speaking with the guest? Are they showing interest in the client’s needs and wants?
- Does their consultation meet salon standards?
- Are they explaining the why behind their choices and recommendations?
- Do the client’s needs come first throughout the appointment?
The Setup
- Are the tools set up neatly?
- Are they clean and organized?
- Is the mannequin sectioned accurately?
- Is the client properly draped and prepared for the service?
The Assessment
- You are here to evaluate, not to train. Remain impartial and out of the way.
- Use the second blank sheet of paper to take clear notes on where they are doing well and where there is opportunity for improvement.
- If a segment is not completed on time, mark it on the scoring page as incomplete and add notes on why you believe it happened for later coaching.
Scoring
- Scoring is particular to each assessment. The Score Sheet and the Definitions Sheet are found on that assessment’s page.
- Start with a perfect score. Deduct one point for each missed criterion.
- Here’s a sample of what a scoresheet looks like:
Post-Game Coaching
- At the end of the assessment, congratulate the associate. Regardless of whether or not they passed, they showed up and gave it their best.
- You probably need some time to organize your scoring and comments, so schedule a time ASAP to sit down with them.
- It’s a conversation. They want to know where they excelled and where there is opportunity for improvement. Questions are one of the most important tools for a coach. Ask open ended questions such as:
- How do you feel now that it’s over?
- In what areas do you feel that you excelled?
- In what areas of the assessment did you feel particularly challenged?
- If you had the opportunity to do it over again, what would you do differently?
- Step through the assessment with them. Let them know how they scored, and congratulate them where they did especially well. Offer pointers where they could do even better.
- Tell them where the score was below the salon standard. Ask them about their thoughts to improve those areas. Ask them what the salon can do to support.
- If they have to retake the assessment, help them with the timeline for practice and self-directed study. A teammate or accountability partner is extremely helpful.
Mindset
This program is different from what you’re used to. It may take a shift in mindset. Stick with it! We are headed to a happy place! Mmmhappy place.
- Give it a chance. Different can be a challenge, but if you stick with this for three months you will be a believer for life!
- As much as possible, associates learn by working hands-on alongside the videos, so they can practice at home just as easily as at the salon. Encourage that. They will progress much faster.
- Each workshop includes a journal/debrief step. Don’t skip it. When associates take a moment to understand what worked and what didn’t, mistakes turn mystery into mastery.
- When in doubt, get help. Our Facebook community is a great resource.
- Hack your brain for success and happiness!
Good to Go
Told you it was quick. Have fun out there!
Extending
When you’re ready to level up, check out these shockingly simple team-optimizing tools that will kick your business into overdrive.