Progressive Management through Quality Education (Without Leaving Home): Think ISM

In business, particularly the spa business, things are always changing, evolving, and moving forward on a day to day basis. What used to be popular or the norm yesterday may no longer be the norm today. So, it is essential that you keep abreast of the latest news, ideas, and methods that are being used in the spa industry today. The best way to do this is to continuously educate yourself as to what is happening in the spa industry, but who has the time?

At the Institute of Spa Management (ISM), you always have the time to learn the latest about spa management and improve your leadership skills through their online learning courses. Whether you are looking to get into the spa industry or are a seasoned professional, ISM has a variety of different management courses that can get you up to speed or help you improve upon your current skill set. The best thing is, you don’t even need to leave home or the office to get this quality education because it is available 24-hours a day, 7-days a week, so you can study at your own pace and on your own terms.

ISM Announces Open Enrollment for January 2008 Spa Management Program

Due to the severe shortage of quality, trained managers in the spa industry, the Institute of Spa Management (ISM) opened its doors to provide this well-needed training to individuals around the world. With its self-paced, online educational program, people looking for spa management training flocked to the school’s website (www.spacollege.org).

Since August of 2007, more than 2000 people have requested information about the program and the October and November classes were filled to capacity. As of this date, there are two spaces available for classes beginning in December and 18 available for the January 2008 classes.

The great thing about ISM is that even though there is a high demand for these seats, the school continues to focus on individual student learning by only accepting 20 students each month into the program. This allows the school to provide one-on-one assistance to students while providing them with the type of high quality services they will be expected to provide once they’re working in a spa environment.

Even though it is an online program, this personalized approach makes it feel as if you’re attending a bricks-and-mortar school while also allowing you to work at your own pace on your own time.

ISM Flooded with Applications for Spa Management Program: The Need is Real

The Institute of Spa Management (ISM) is as hot as the spa industry is right now! This is evident with the flood of applications that ISM has received since they opened their doors less than three months ago. The spa industry is severely lacking quality trained spa managers, but fortunately ISM is now providing this well needed training to highly motivated and career oriented individuals who want to make the spa industry better than it has ever been before.

More than 200 applications have been received for the 12 full tuition and 25 partial tuition scholarships being offered by ISM to qualified spa management candidates each year. The competition is tough, but even if you don’t get one of those scholarships that doesn’t mean you can’t study at ISM. With their easy payment plans and study at your own pace scheduling, ISM is the perfect fit for any budget or busy schedule.

Soon, these students will be entering the spa workforce as qualified and trained spa management experts, so if you’re looking to get into this ever-expanding field, now is the time to start! So, what are you waiting for?

Keeping up with Competitors Calls for an Educated, Informed and Intuitive Management Team

Knowing what your competition is up to is one of the best tools you have in keeping informed of what services and specials your competitors are offering. This is why it is so important for your management team to keep updated and continuous records of what the other spas in your area are doing by simply making regular calls to your competition.

If you are not making these calls then you are going to fall behind when it comes to offering the newest services and latest products at competitive prices because you won’t know what your competitors are offering. More than likely, your competitors are calling you to find out the very same things, so fight fire with fire by making sure you know what they are up to as well.

Another great way to find out exactly what your competitors are doing is to visit them for yourself or send one of your employees or a friend for an “undercover” site visit. Have them take a tour or even provide the money to get a treatment or two done. This is money well spent that will give you greater insight and information into what your competition is up to.

Exceptional Customer Service in the Spa Industry: Without It, Your Business Will Fail (and Fast)

It goes without saying that customer service is the most important aspect of any business’s success. This is especially true when it comes to a service business, like the spa industry. No matter how great your products are or how wonderful your treatments may be, if your spa’s customer service skills are poor no one will want to buy your products or enjoy your treatments because they won’t want to return to your spa ever again.

This can easily be solved by learning how to deal with customers correctly by getting additional spa management training. Dealing with the public on a daily basis is never easy, especially when clients have high expectations of what they might experience at your spa. Obtaining the tools needed that will make dealing with clients easier is essential to the success of any spa.

The customer service skills that are learned in a spa management training program can then be passed on to your spa staff which will result in higher customer service satisfaction and even a happier staff.

Remember, the spa industry is a people industry, and if you can’t keep your clients happy and satisfied your clients won’t give you a second chance.

If you are a Spa Addict, Why not Make it a Career?

Are you unable to stay away from the soothing, healing atmosphere of a spa? If you are a spa addict, why not consider a career in the growing, rewarding spa industry.

A spa is a special place that offers services and products to enhance a person’s overall well-being. Besides offering essential therapies that improve the physical, emotional and spiritual health of clients, according to the ISPA Industry Study, the booming spa industry was valued at about 6 billion dollars in the United States alone.

Types of spas include the destination spa where people stay, usually in exotic locations, for spa treatments and rejuvenation. A resort spa is located within a report and offer spa services. A day spa is a treatment center where people go to receive treatments and relax for a few hours and then return home. Medical spas feature traditional spa offerings as well as medical procedures such as Botox injections and chemical peels. There are also fitness spas, club spas, mineral spring spas and cruise ship spas, offering plenty of opportunities to work in the setting of your choice.

There are numerous areas of employment in a spa. You can be a spa technician who performs various procedures such as facials, manicure and pedicures. A masseuse offers various types of massage therapy to clients. There are also specially trained technicians who perform therapies such as acupuncture, aromatherapy and reflexology. Fitness specialists offer advice about nutrition and classes in holistic exercise such as Tai Chi and yoga.

Other opportunities exist to be a Spa Director, the person who oversees the operations of the spa. A spa director can enjoy an annual salary of $75,000 to $125,000 depending upon the location and responsibilities. An Assistant Spa Director or Manager helps the Director oversee operations and has a terrific salary of $40,000 to $65,000 annually.

If you are a spa addict, consider the outstanding opportunities for employment in the spa industry. If you are looking for quality training in the spa industry, you should check out the Institute of Spa Management.

Hiring Series: Admirable Attributes of a Professional Spa Reservations Specialist (Client Liaison)

When hiring for a spa reservationist position, you need to remember that this is possibly one of the most important positions in your spa. Keep in mind that the spa reservationist is the main point of contact with your clients, so it’s important that you find the right person for the job.

A professional spa reservationis specialist is usually the first and last person clients will communicate with when booking and re-booking their spa services. This person needs to be well organized, personable, well put together, and able to balance multiple tasks. What this all means is that you need someone who can communicate well with clients and really sell the services that your spa offers in a professional manner.

Other attributes to look for are honesty, responsibility, being a good listener, and having the ability to work as a team player. Hiring someone with a sales and customer service background is also essential. The spa reservationist position is more than just answering phones and booking appointments, it’s often your only contact with current and potential clients, so make sure the person in that role has the skills to attract sales and promote a positive and professional image for your spa.

A Spa Manager's Worst Nightmare: A Dishonest Employee that Steals

One of the worst things that any business has to deal with is dishonest employees. No matter how honest people might seem, employee theft is a huge problem in every industry. As the spa manager, always be aware of what’s going on in your spa by staying organized, alert, and remove the opportunities that can tempt dishonest employees.

Most employees steal because they feel unappreciated, underpaid, or overworked, so they justify theft by convincing themselves that they are owed something. If you notice unusual activity, strange sales transactions, or suspicious behavior, don’t just look the other way. Keeping a close eye on your staff and their activities is the best way to prevent employee theft.

You should also maintain a good inventory system of all your products, supplies, and materials. This means keeping track of everything from lotions to gift certificates to the dressing room towels. Balance the inventory with your sales receipts on a weekly basis and track any irregularities.

To protect your clients from theft, ensure that you have lockers for them to store their valuables and personal belongings and give the client responsibility for the key at all times.

While you don’t need to be suspicious to the point of paranoia, you do need to make sure that you are aware of what’s going on in the spa and keep temptation low by making it difficult to steal

A Comprehensive Review of Reputable Spa Industry Associations Worldwide

International Spa Association
The International Spa Association (ISPA) represents nearly 2,700 spas in 75 countries. They provide educational and networking opportunities for members in order to promote spa industry growth. They offer excellent research materials and trend reports that can increase your spa’s profits. Membership includes PULSE magazine subscription, listing in the ISPA directory, and discounts on business tools, staff development, marketing assistance, and conference fees. (www.experienceispa.com)

Day Spa Association
The Day Spa Association serves as a business resource for day spa professionals providing educational seminars, industry research, and publications to promote increased business and consumer awareness. Membership includes listing in the Day Spa Directory, regularly updated statistical reports, In Touch quarterly newsletter, and discounts on education, front desk publications, and other business and marketing tools. (www.dayspaassociation.com)

Spa Association
The Spa Association (SPAA) strives to unite the spa community to promote higher standards and professional spa promotions. They offer day spa’s continuing education materials, industry research reports, marketing assistance, business tools, and discounts with industry vendors and conventions. (www.thespaassociation.com)

Destination Spa Group
The Destination Spa Group (DSG) is a networking and marketing association for destination spa professionals. Members must meet the ISPA and DSG criteria for destination spa designation. Membership includes marketing assistance, a 2-page spread in Destination Spa Vacations Magazine, directory listing, press releases, networking opportunities, and ongoing professional development. (www.destinationspa.com)

International Medical Spa Association
The International Medical Spa Association (IMSA) provides professional and medical assistance for medical spas, beauty and skin therapy offices, medical centers, and wellness centers. Following a medical code of ethics, the association provides members certification, directory listings, invitations to industry functions, mentoring services, continuing education, and free magazine subscriptions to multiple medical spa publications. (www.medicalspaassociation.org)

Medical Spa Society
The Medical Spa Society is a non-profit association that is dedicated to raising professional medical spa industry practices to the highest levels possible. Members enjoy 50% off Medical Spa Conference and Expo registration fees, continuing education credits, directory listings, quarterly newsletter, online seminars, workshops, 50% off classified advertising at Best Spa Jobs website, and complimentary subscription to PCI Journal. (www.medicalspasociety.com)

American Holistic Medical Association
The American Holistic Medical Association (AHMA) is devoted to educating and training physicians in the art and science of holistic medicine by focusing on the whole body, mind, and spirit. Members must have a recognized doctorate degree in medicine and be currently licensed. Membership includes discounted fees to attend annual and regional conferences and meetings, advanced medical education, listing in membership directory, and subscription to The Journal of Science and Healing. (www.holisticmedicine.org)

Rural Spa Marketing: Effective Advertising To Get Clients to Your Neck of the Woods

When you have a spa in a rural area, marketing is less about competition and more about getting people interested in new experiences. Rural spa clients have very different needs and perceptions to those in the city, so your advertising should focus on these needs and perceptions.

People unfamiliar with the spa industry believe that it’s only for the rich and famous, so you should change this perception by offering special introductory offers or coupons to get clients in the door. Advertising buy-one-get-one offers or free gifts can entice new clients to give you a try without feeling they are going to break the bank.

Establishing a customer loyalty or referral program is a great way to have your clients do the advertising for you. Giving your current clients an incentive to return more than once or offering free services or products for referrals will increase your first-time client traffic.

Using direct mail advertising is a great way to let people in the area know that you are around. You might even consider advertising in neighborhood newsletters to attract people who are new to the area or don’t regularly read the local newspaper where your other ads might be placed.