How can I make some changes NOW!!!

[aeltiger]

Ok, I'll be the first to admit that I'm at fault here! So please don't tell me that I should have done things different to start with. I totally realize that. Instead, I would like some advice on how to make some changes from this point on.

When I first opened my first salon it was just my best friend and I working here. So it was a very laid back casual environment and things were great! No problems at all. Well when I got pregnant with twins and opened a second salon, I had to add more staff (I currently have about 7-8 employees). When I added more staff I really didn't change the way I "managed". I was still pretty laid back and rule with an iron fist. Still, things continued to go well for a while. Well now, I have a couple of employees that have taken advantage of that. Now that I'm seeing the problems this has caused, I'm ready to make a change!

I need to find a way to let my employees know that I am BOSS! I realize that its going to be hard to do after all this time, but it must be done! I want them to see me as an authority figure and also realize that they are REPLACEABLE!

[kpowr82]

Fire the trouble makers and let everyone else know they better shape up or ship out. Set an example, visit the salon more when you're not on schedule. Cut hours and work more. That's the only way to send the message. Once your employees begin to think that you're not willing to change your lifestyle, they begin to slack because they think you need them.

CLEAN UP!

[pauly d]

yup fire everyone. i have four locations ,i held a meeting once and fired everyone in one location . right after one of the gilrs laughed and said" what are you going to do fire everyone " never had a problem after that. its a fine line between being a boss and being friendly with everyone . im nice when my sales are up , but when there down , watch out ..

[kpowr82]

Originally Posted by pauly d

yup fire everyone. i have four locations ,i held a meeting once and fired everyone in one location . right after one of the gilrs laughed and said" what are you going to do fire everyone " never had a problem after that. its a fine line between being a boss and being friendly with everyone . im nice when my sales are up , but when there down , watch out ..

And I'll bet you've never once had a personal relationship with any of your employees. And that's how it should be. With my first group of staff I ever had, I became friends with them. Went to their graduation parties even. BIG MISTAKE. Made it much more difficult to get them to produce, and much more difficult to fire them.

I'm the best boss in the world when you do your job and produce, when you don't, I'm an asshole. I try my hardest to get them to quit rather than fire them and pay unemployment.

[COLOR ME BEAUTIFUL]

I find if they are not doing what I need I give them one chance but if they dont get it they go.I would end up loosing sleep and they get away with not pulling their weight. I just gave one of the girls that has been with me from the begining an ultimatum. I have monthly manditory meeting and she said I cant make it I said if you value your job u will be there. She decided her rafting trip was more important so she went.Saved me the trouble.

I am learning if its not working then get rid of it!! One bad apple is all it takes to change the additude at the salon and everyone know its not worth it. Sit them all down and tell them I am taking back my salon.This what you have to do to stay and keep your job if you cant do what is required of you ...theres the door. In this economy there are alot of people in need of jobs and I wont put up with their bull anymore. Be a bitch they will realize really quick that you mean business. Good Luck!!!

[DB9276]

Like everyone said- start by firing the problem children and start fresh with new employees. Getting rid of the bad apple will make all the difference with the rest of the staff. Make a solid, unsocializing, but nice- first impression.

I once had to fire someone who had been with us 5 years. After 5 years, it's hard to not know someone on a personal level when it is a small company. It was one of the hardest firings I've ever had to do.

[lollymarx]

what are some of the problems occurring? Maybe you can salvage some and set examples with others.

[Dmc5]

Originally Posted by kpowr82

Fire the trouble makers and let everyone else know they better shape up or ship out. Set an example, visit the salon more when you're not on schedule. Cut hours and work more. That's the only way to send the message. Once your employees begin to think that you're not willing to change your lifestyle, they begin to slack because they think you need them.

CLEAN UP!

Well said. Never hesitate to let anyone go. As has been said before, it your thinking it might be time, you're right. And the longer you wait, the moer $ it will cost, nd the more time it will take to reel it back in to where you want it to be. Good Luck.

[Beach Bum]

Sounds like a natural transition. I think most of us started the same way. And as our salon(s) grew we had to move away from being closely related to our emps, and their friends, to being more traditional in our relationships with them.

Good luck! You know what you need to do. Hard part is doing it!

[jenrev22]

I'm a firm believer that "actions speak louder than words." You can tell them all day long how they should act towards you and the company but, you won't see any change in them until YOU change. Present yourself as the boss and practice what you preach.

I find it easier to speak to all employees at the same time, so it's not takin personally. When you speak one on one its [obviously] more personal. It depends on the message you are trying to send. If it isn't just one person causing the problem, then I would suggest holding a meeting and announce to all the employees that you need to see a change in their attitudes/work ethic/ etc.. and that things are going to change around the salon. Tell them they need to earn their position and you are doing a 15-30 probation period were you will be evaulating each of them. After the evaluation, if you still don't see a change, it's time to fire and hire newbies!

Hope this helps and good luck!

[jenrev22]

edit: 15-30 day* (or whatever is suitable for you) probation period where* you....

[aeltiger]

I've done some thinking over the past couple of days. There are 2 employees that are the MAJOR problem, a tanning consultant and a manager. Pretty much, the other employees are great! Of course, all of them could use a little shaping up though.

So what I'm going to do is fire the tanning consultant this week. Then, I am having a sit-down with the manager that same day and letting her know that she is next on my list. She has less than a week to show me that she really deserves her job (because I already have someone else that I can put in her place). Then, next Sunday we are having a mandatory staff meeting. You don't show, you are fired. I will annouce to the rest of the staff that 1 employee was let go due to insubordination and not living up to the standards of this job. I plan on showing them the file of at least 30 resumes that I have received over the past month or two and letting them know that I have plenty of people ready and willing to take over their position. So if they want to keep their jobs, they all need to shape up! Then of course, I will thank them for a good month we had in June!

[kpowr82]

Originally Posted by aeltiger

I've done some thinking over the past couple of days. There are 2 employees that are the MAJOR problem, a tanning consultant and a manager. Pretty much, the other employees are great! Of course, all of them could use a little shaping up though.

So what I'm going to do is fire the tanning consultant this week. Then, I am having a sit-down with the manager that same day and letting her know that she is next on my list. She has less than a week to show me that she really deserves her job (because I already have someone else that I can put in her place). Then, next Sunday we are having a mandatory staff meeting. You don't show, you are fired. I will annouce to the rest of the staff that 1 employee was let go due to insubordination and not living up to the standards of this job. I plan on showing them the file of at least 30 resumes that I have received over the past month or two and letting them know that I have plenty of people ready and willing to take over their position. So if they want to keep their jobs, they all need to shape up! Then of course, I will thank them for a good month we had in June!

Bad idea. You shouldn't threaten to fire your employees and show them stacks of resumes you could be hiring. Nothing is worse for moral than an owner who makes threats. It makes it look like you lost control of your business and know you're on a power trip to get it back. Those are signs of an irresponsible owner.

In your meeting you should let all of your employees know that you did fire a girl for the reasons you already described. The rest of the meeting should be what your expectations are from the rest of your staff and what everyone should and shouldn't be doing. Don't place time constratints on anyone to shape up. Terminate at your discretion.

As far as your manager who is a MAJOR problem. She needs to go. No talks, no second chances. She'll change for a short period of time and go back to the way things were. By you giving her a chance to shape up, you are telling her that you need her and can't replace her. Let her go along with the other employee. Nothing lights a fire under your emps asses like a manager firing.

And I can pretty much guarantee the manager you are having problems with has already told more than 1 employee that you need her and can't do it without her. Trust me, been there and done that.