Why Listening Skills Are Needed in Hospitality Management

Possessing listening skills is one of the most important requirements for holding a job in hospitality management.  That may not seem obvious at first, but when you think about everything involved in restaurant and hotel management this statement makes perfect sense.  Hospitality is defined as kindness to strangers and as a relationship process.  The best definition focuses on the relationship and process aspects, because anyone working in the hospitality business knows that it takes ongoing attention and consideration to properly serve people in a way they appreciate.

Being a good hospitality manager means being able to identify the needs of customers and staff.  This often comes down to being a good listener.  A good listener pays attention when people talk and doesn’t assimilate the information with pre-conceived notions.  A good listener is able to separate the important information from the rest of what is said and use that information to improve service.  In other words, good listening skills can be considered both a motivational and customer service tool.
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Styling Different Types of Hair

No two people have exactly the same kind of hair, but there are basic kinds of hair: fine, medium and coarse.  Each one of these kinds of hair can also be wavy, curly or straight.  When you take these six features and create a matrix, you get many different combinations a hairdresser could possibly be asked to style when a customer walks in the door.

Learning how to style hair takes training and practice.  A hairdresser who has completed a training program learns about the different types of hair from several perspectives.   For example, cutting and styling hair is much different than cutting and styling coarse hair.  But the stylist must also understand how to style the particular hair based on the shape of the face.

A well-trained stylist will understand how to use hair styling to bring out the best features of the face.  For example, if a client has a long face then the style should add width.  If the face is round the style will add length.  There are hundreds of different ways a hairdresser can bring out a customer’s best features while minimizing certain facial characteristics or features.

Cutting a Deal

Successfully learning how to style different types of hair is one of the most important lessons taught in hairdressing school.  Course hair can be thinned and thin hair cut in a way that volume is added.  But the hair cut must accommodate the natural wave or lack of wave in the hair.   Hair is also described as thin, medium and thick.

The various kinds of face shapes include long, round, oval and heart shaped.  A hair stylist learns many different techniques for creating the ideal hair style.  Curly hair can be styled in a way that either heightens or discourages curling.  Straight hair can be cut to add volume and form.  Hair that is wavy, and neither curly nor straight, can be styled to maximize the hair feature the client likes the best.  A great stylist knows how to bring out the client’s best facial and hair features.

Styling with Products

Today there are products on the market for every kind of hair.  There are products to hold, stiffen and sculpt hair.  These products are used to enhance the hairdresser’s cut.  For example, mousse or foam products can stiffen hair that has been cut to add volume.  Gel can be used on curly hair cuts to tighten curls or on wavy hair for scrunching.  But the only way the products work properly is if the hairdresser has maximized the appearance of the hair through careful cut selection.

A trained hairdresser has an arsenal of techniques and products which can be used to highlight the best features of someone’s hair and face.  When clients visit the stylist, he or she will first analyze the condition of the hair.  The stylish learns to listen to the preferences of the client first and then works with the client to determine which style will best meet the request while enhancing the facial features.

Satisfying Hair Care Clients

Satisfying hair care clients is much different today than it was 20 years ago.  The hairdressing business involves so much more than just styling or colouring hair.  Customers have become quite discriminating about the services they expect to find in a salon and meeting their expectations is how you build a successful business.

First and foremost there must be a level of incomparable quality.  Hairdressing customers expect to find a salon with trained hairdressers current on modern styling techniques. These styles include the latest trends and new looks that require special cuts.   But hairdressers should also be ready to satisfy traditional styling requests also.

A mistake some hairdressers make is insisting a client try a new style when the customer has requested the style which meets their personal needs.  A good hairdressing program will teach hair styling in a way the beautician is able to cut a traditional or new style to that it complements the customer’s appearance.  This requires in-depth training that instructs in face and head shapes in addition to the styles suitable for various hair types.

Stylish Services

Hair care clients today expect to be able to access a wide range of services.  That means keeping them satisfied requires having well trained hair technicians that can work on all kinds of hair and provide many different services far beyond just cut and styling.  For example, stylists should be current on colouring techniques and the use of hair extensions.  To satisfy customers, hair stylists will also have to offer specialty services such as hair straightening, eyebrow shaping and damaged hair treatments.

Of course there is no question that a hairdresser must be familiar with many different hair care products.  There are hundreds of specialty products on the market designed to address issues with hair.  There are deep treatments, aging hair products and special colouring and highlighting products.  Only stylists that have been trained in how to stay current in the hairdressing industry are able to completely satisfy all kinds of hair care clients through proper product selection.

Of course, cosmetologists must also be able to manage their time and schedule their customer appointments.   Customers expect to get quality time with a hairdresser who focuses on them during the scheduled appointment.  This means that scheduling conflicts and miscalculated appointment times must be avoided.  Stylists that obtain quality training learn how to manage their time in a way that insures customers are offered the service level they demand.

Stylish Satisfaction

Satisfying hair care clients is the key to success in the hairdressing business.   The demand for skilled beauticians is high.  That means there are many employment opportunities for anyone who obtains certification at a good school that teaches international and advanced styling and hair care techniques.

The world of hairdressing has expanded and grown over the years.  Customers are much more sophisticated and ask for a level of service that was once reserved only for celebrities.  But technology, equipment, new products and comprehensive training services has made even the most sophisticated styles and hair care treatments available.

If you want to satisfy hair care clients, you need to be ready to work in this new world of style and fashion!

Salon Management

Salon management requires more knowledge than knowing how to be a hairdresser.  A salon is a styling palace, beauty therapy and relaxation centre rolled into one business.  Speaking of business….the salon is also a business that requires management and organizational skills.

Learning how to manage a salon requires taking a series of courses that teach about both sides of the business.  The two sides are the hairdressing and/or beauty therapy side, and the business management side.  A skilful salon manager is as adept at performing their skills for customers as he or she is at ordering supplies and managing finances.  Even if you don’t own the salon you are working at you must still practice business skills in the day-to-day operation of your personal hairdressing business.

A Little Bit of Everything

Salons today have been redesigned to meet customer needs.  Salon clients make it clear they want to be able to go to the salon of their choice and find a variety of services being offered.  This means salon management requires directing a variety of people with different skills in a way that promotes the ambiance and theme of the salon while providing excellent customer service.

In salons you may find hairdressers, manicurists and pedicurists and beauty therapists skilled in message techniques and the use of stress reduction aromatherapy.  Salons also promote and sell products and hold beauty seminars to attract new clients.  The range of activities makes it necessary that a salon manager have excellent organizational skills in order to coordinate the operation of a set of mini-businesses within one roof.

Styling and Promoting

Striving to become a salon manager is an excellent career choice.  It is a business that enables you to use the skills you have developed in beauty management while also offering plenty of opportunity to use your creativity.  For example, as the owner/manager you are able to develop “client appreciation” programs, create special events for women and their friends, and offer ancillary programs such as make-up application.

In other words, salon management business skills require the ability to implement a promotional program that brings new business on a regular basis.  Being able to differentiate the salon based on its unique characteristics and offerings is critical to salon success.  When you train for a career in hairdressing and beauty therapy, you will take management courses that prepare you for success in the industry.

This preparation will make the difference between being able to manage a thriving and professional salon and struggling in a competitive industry.  Even if you choose to work for yourself in an existing salon, the salon management skills will be used everyday as you build and retain your clientele.

In the Atmosphere

Salon management requires the right craft and management skills.  But it also needs a sense of atmosphere.  When clients enter a salon, they are “escaping” for one or more hours from hectic lives.  In the salon a client wants to feel as if they are the centre of their own world for a short relaxing time.  A salon manager must be adept at creating the right atmosphere sought by clients based on an understanding of their needs.

If you now believe salon management requires extensive skills and training, you would be correct.  An excellent training program prepares a manager for the world of hairdressing and beauty therapy which also means having the right business and management skills.  In the world of salon management you will find a diverse clientele just waiting for your attention.

Learning How to Supervise Others

In the hospitality industry learning how to supervise others is important if you plan on pursuing a successful career path.  Whether you work for yourself or someone else, the logical progress in career development is to pursue positions which require the management of operations.  This means you will need to have the right team building skills.  Being able to direct others in a way that promotes personal performance to the best of their abilities can be a true challenge in an industry that caters to the needs of customers who are usually relying on you to provide stress-free experiences.

In the hospitality business there are number of career paths which lead to supervision of others.  It doesn’t matter whether you work for someone else or work for yourself, developing a successful career in restaurant, hotel or beauty salon management will require knowing how to motivate others while directing their work.  In fact the hospitality industry holds tremendous opportunity for those able to help others reach their personal career goals in the fast paced hospitality industry.

Supervisory positions in the hospitality industry include room and restaurant managers, shift supervisors, general managers, special event directors and many other positions.  Unlike office jobs where much of the work is the same from day to day, in the hotel, restaurant and beauty careers the positions require the ability to be adaptable to the constantly changing needs of customers.  A true leader is able to communicate a vision to others in a way that encourages employee development and commitment.

Building Confidence in Your Staff

Learning how to supervise others begins with instruction in communication and organizational leadership.  After completing a carefully designed program which develops general and supervisory skills, you will be prepared to build confidence in others while getting the job done.  Because the work in the hospitality industry tends to be fast paced a successful manager must be able to effectively plan schedules and events while also having the skills needed to make quick decisions on a day-to-day basis.

Having a career manager with good supervisory skills in restaurants, hotels and beauty salon or spa operations can literally make the difference between a business succeeding or failing.  Efficient delivery of services requires skill development which focuses on organizational abilities.  By creating a team of employees that are working towards common goals, you also create a customer oriented business.

Walking the Career Path Together

There are many different types of careers available in the food, room and beauty service businesses.  You can learn how to build a team of caterers, manage restaurant workers, run a spa, operate a cruise line entertainment program, manage a private club and do one of a thousand other jobs.  But no matter what career path you pursue, it will be necessary to have well developed supervisory skills in order to seek jobs with increasing responsibilities.  This means it’s important to develop the right motivational, organizational and communication skills.   You will also need training in administrative management of hospitality businesses.

Learning how to supervise others begins with a well-designed management program which is incorporated in the career training program you choose to pursue.   The curriculum includes hands-on experiences.  These skills will follow you through a successful career path no matter where you choose to work.