The Power of Communication in Relationships

Effective communication is crucial in all our relationships, whether with our spouse, kids, or employees. It’s essential for expressing expectations and ensuring that our needs are met, as most of us aren’t mind readers. Clear communication keeps your staff happy and ensures that your goals are understood and achieved.

Express Appreciation and Offer Constructive Criticism

Recognize and appreciate those who deserve it and offer constructive criticism to those needing guidance. Think about a time when you worked for a supervisor who didn’t communicate their expectations. You might have thought you were doing a satisfactory job, only to be surprised during your evaluation to learn your performance was lacking. This can be frustrating and demoralizing. If you were falling short, why weren't you informed earlier so you could correct it?

New Employee Orientation

When hiring new employees, start the relationship on the right foot by clearly communicating your expectations. For example, if punctuality is important to you, let them know upfront. If they are expected to contribute to marketing and sales, ensure they understand any quotas. Clearly explain grooming standards and policies on body piercings or other personal choices. Essentially, review all areas you will evaluate them on so they know what’s expected. Be available to answer any questions or concerns they might have.

Hold Weekly Staff Meetings

Regular weekly staff meetings are vital to keeping everyone informed and on track. Begin each meeting by reviewing the previous week’s progress and activities, addressing any shortcomings and discussing ways to overcome them. Then, focus on the goals and strategies for the upcoming week. Use this time to make any policy changes or address general staff performance issues, such as discussing personal matters while on the job, lack of courtesy to customers, or unprofessional conduct.

Performance Evaluation

If you’ve clearly communicated expectations and held regular meetings, performance evaluations should be straightforward. New employees typically undergo a 90-day probation period, which serves as a trial period for both parties to ensure a good fit. At the end of this period, meet with the employee to review their performance. Some studio owners prefer to have employees complete a self-evaluation to compare perspectives. Discuss any differences and provide feedback.

Include areas where the employee has excelled and those needing improvement. This balanced approach helps employees feel recognized for their accomplishments and understand what they need to work on for better future evaluations. Have them sign the evaluation form to avoid future misunderstandings.

You can conduct these reviews quarterly or bi-annually, covering areas such as:

  • Appearance: Always sharp; Usually neat; Needs improvement.
  • Punctuality: Never tardy; Occasionally tardy; Frequently tardy.
  • Sales Skills: Excellent; Good; Needs improvement.
  • Attitude: Excellent; Good; Needs improvement.
  • Motivation: Always enthusiastic; Usually enthusiastic; Occasionally enthusiastic.
  • Follow-Up: Excellent; Good; Needs improvement.
  • Overall Performance: Excellent employee; Good employee; Average employee; Needs improvement.