1.
JUMP IN
WHERE NEEDED.
When your team is lean, some things
are bound to fall through the cracks.
Legler suggests allowing your team to
take care of their jobs while you as a
manager shouldn’t be afraid to roll up
your sleeves and fill in the gaps where
they’re needed. “I have made it known
that I am always ready to do my part
wherever and whenever needed while
also making sure all employees are cross
trained to do the same.”
Cross-training also works well for
spas. Castellanos suggests hiring thera-
pists with more than one license. “Of
our eight therapists, five have dual
licensing. This therapist flexibility allows
us to keep a smaller staff and to keep
the small staff that we have as busy as
possible.”
2.
LISTEN TO
YOUR STAFF.
Operating with a lean team can create
strain on your employees. As their
leader, you must show you’re always
ready to listen and work together. “If
there is a challenge in any area of the
spa the staff usually knows how to
resolve it,” Castellanos points out.
“Through listening to your employees
and implementing their ideas it validates
NEED SPECIFIC SOLUTIONS?
Click here to see creative solutions to
specific staffing gaps.
“Don't
assume you
can't operate
differently
just because
you have
never done
so.”
that they are being heard and that their
ideas and thoughts are an essential part
of operating your business.”
3.
DON’T PILE ON
THE WORK.
For spas who are running lean, it can be
tempting to over-work therapists, but
Stimpson says that’s a bad path to walk
down. “Don’t continually over-burden
everyone for the sake of short term
profits today. Team members are your
greatest asset and if you burn them out
you will lose your best one or risk injury.
Either are lose-lose situations.” Instead,
she suggests coming up with creative
solutions to scheduling issues and
support staff shortages.
4. BE CREATIVE.
5. REWARD
YOUR TEAM.
“Don’t assume you can’t operate differ-
ently just because you have never done
so,” says Stimpson. “Study best
practices and employ the ones that will
help you do more with less.” She also
suggests using other ISPA members as a
resource. “Call ISPA colleagues and ask
them what is working for them! We are
sharing these challenges and are learning
as we go along. Let’s help each other.”
If you’re feeling stretched thin, so are
your employees. Make a point to thank
or reward team members who are
working extra hard for the benefit of the
entire group. Stimpson suggests focusing
much more of your attention on these
people than on your under-performing
ones, saying “others will learn from their
positive example.” n
F E AT U R E D S O U R C E S
KATIE CASTELLANOS AMBER LEGLER ELLA STIMPSON
Spa Director
Abundant Health Day Spa Chief Operating Manager
Astara Skin Care NEW SMYRNA BEACH, FLORIDA AVONDALE, ARIZONA Director of Spa, Fitness and
Racquet Sports
The Spa at Sea Island
SEA ISLAND, GEORGIA
June 2017
■
PULSE
31