Great Ways for Your Spa to Go Green

Saving the environment doesn’t need to happen all at once. You can start out by doing little things one day at a time at home and at work, so consider incorporating some of these great ideas for starting to convert your spa into a green spa.

• Set up a recycling station for employees and clients to place their bottles or cans in and hire a recycling service to collect all of your spa’s paper products
• Use a water cooler rather than bottled water for drinking and replace plastic cups or containers with ones made of recycled materials to minimize waste
• Upgrade your spa’s technology to a paperless system by making appointments, placing orders, and running your business all on the computer
• Buy supplies in bulk at a nearby warehouse supply store to reduce emissions and gas consumption
• Use natural or biodegradable hand soaps, laundry detergents, cleaning supplies, and toilet paper
• Replace your spa’s light bulbs and appliances with energy efficient ones. Also, turn off lights and equipment when not in use
• Use towels, sheets, robes, and uniforms made of all natural fibers and without chemicals or dyes

ISM Launches Job Center for Spa Management Professionals Around the Globe

In an effort to connect spas worldwide with international ISM students who are highly educated in spa operations and business management, the Institute of Spa Management (www.spacollege.org) has launched the ISM Job & Career Center. The service is free for all employers in the spa industry to post jobs and internships for positions that relate to spa management. Within 24 hours of approval, opportunities are broadcast to current students, as well as graduates of the ISM spa management program.

At the Institute of Spa Management, the organization’s primary goal is to educate the spa industry, one professional at a time through quality management education and professional training for adults. ISM has current and past students from the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Bermuda, China, Japan, Iceland, and all across Europe. Abby Cavanaugh, Director of Student Services: “A number of our talented graduates are looking for career opportunities abroad, others are looking for a long term position closer to home, and some current students are looking to complete an internship to gain real world work experience in spa management. All of our students emerge from the Spa Management Program as extremely analytical and well educated management professionals – highly trained in all aspects of spa operations – who are ready to hit the ground running”.

The Institute of Spa Management has always been proud to make spa management education accessible to students worldwide, and now ISM looks forward to bridging the gap between career professionals looking for spa management positions and employers looking to hire the best management talent in the spa industry. Spa related job postings can be emailed directly to jobcenter @ spamanagementschool.com (remember to remove the spaces before and after the @ sign before sending your email) or visit ISM online at www.spacollege.org for more information.

About Institute of Spa Management:

The mission of the Institute of Spa Management (ISM) is to further the spa industry by offering advanced college-level training for spa professionals that is accessible, affordable and self paced. ISM offers Spa Management and Spa Ownership programs at reasonable prices in an effective combination distance education and online learning format that enables learning and knowledge retention. ISM believes that the future of the spa industry belongs to those who treat clients with the highest level of integrity and provide innovative services in well run facilities. These necessary elements for spa success can only occur when quality education is the premise for spa managers and directors.

Spa resorts attracting permanent residents seeking their amenities

“We’re always getting massages,” Troy Coughlin said, “or my wife is getting her nails done. We’re totally pampered by the people at the spa.”

Coughlin, a professional drag racer from Delaware, Ohio, and his wife, Julie, are among the many who in recent years have bought vacation homes at spa resorts. Spa-centered residential communities are springing up on both coasts and many points in between, giving buyers easy access to spa services and opportunities to have equity in their own houses or condominiums.

The Coughlins’ vacation home is at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club & Spa in Jupiter. Their four children — ranging from a kindergartner to a college freshman — “all love it,” Troy Coughlin said. There are programs for youngsters that give parents time for the golf course and the spa. “My two youngest learned to ride bikes there,” he said.

Read the Full Story HERE

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.

At the End of theDay, It All Comes Down to Dollars and Sense for a Spa Manager, Director or Owner

There are a lot of things to worry about when you run or own one or perhaps several spas today.  Competition can be tough, the day to day business issues can be complicated, employee needs have to be dealt with, and client satisfaction always needs to be at the top of the list.  However, at the end of the day, it all really comes down to making money and using good common sense to run a successful spa.

Spa managers, spa directors, and spa owners need to keep this dollars-and-sense attitude in mind in order to achieve their business goals.  Making money is what every business’s ultimate goal is, but in order to do this you have to be smart, savvy, and have the common sense to know what your spa needs to do to be successful.

This can include making sure your clients are treated professionally and provided a high level of customer service, keeping your employees happy and challenged, staying on top of the latest trends, and always remaining competitive in your local market.  Getting professional training in spa management is the best way to assure that you will have these tools needed to make your spa successful.

The Spoiled Spa Client Syndrome: Are they Always Right? Knowing When Enough is Enough

While it is impossible for the customer to always be right, it should be the goal of any spa manager to make sure that the customer feels as if they are getting what they want. However, some people can take this customer service rule of thumb a little too far, so you need to know where to draw the line between customer satisfaction and the customer taking advantage.

Many times, this always right rule can actually lead to bad customer service. Many people have the attitude that if they make the most noise they will get whatever they want. This type of behavior can be bad for employee satisfaction, makes less aggressive customers feel they are less valued, and creates an overall atmosphere of negativity. None of these things should be allowed to flourish in any business, especially one aimed at stress relief and relaxation, like a spa.

Instead, make sure that you have a clearly written list of expectations when it comes to spa treatments, a clearly defined return or refund program, and a set procedure for dealing with complaints. Having an even playing field for all of your clients will assure that everyone is treated equally and professionally.

Retail Sales Management in Your Spa: Staff Incentives to Suggest & Sell Products

Selling spa products is something your staff fears, worries about, and avoids.  They often fear they will come off as greedy, worry that they don’t have enough training, or avoid the situation altogether due to low commissions.  However, there are some simple ways to get your staff excited about selling products.

Start by establishing required sales goals rather optional ones.  Make these goals attainable and flexible based on hours and seniority.  Explain these requirements before hiring to weed out those unwilling to sell.

Offer continuous training from experienced sales coaches who will focus on multi-line sales, overcoming fears, and independent sales techniques.  Your staff needs to develop the sales technique that works best for them in all situations, no matter what the product is.

Create your own product line that allows you to increase markups rather than selling name-brand products at just 100% markup.  This will allow you to offer a more attractive commission and will set your spa apart from the competition.

When creating contests, make sure the prize is something your staff really wants and establish a minimum sales goal so that winners will have to sell a set amount rather than just more than the rest.

Proactive Spa Marketing: Maintain an Email List for Clients and Use it Effectively to Promote Services & Specials

Getting clients to return to the spa more than once or twice a year should be the main goal of any successful spa manager. It’s much easier to promote services and treatments to satisfied existing customers than it is to attract new ones, but you need to be proactive in your efforts to get those returning clients back into the spa on a regular basis.

Gathering demographic information, maintaining current email addresses, and keeping in contact with your current clients are essential elements to getting those clients to return to the spa more frequently. Creating a monthly electronic newsletter, promoting special “returning client only” services, or sending out personalized notes and birthday greetings can keep your spa’s name in the forefront of your clients’ minds.

There is so much competition out there that it’s more important than ever to keep a positive and continuous dialogue with your clients. However, there is such a thing as too much communication and promotion. Make sure you are only sending out promotional emails to those clients who want to receive them and don’t overdo it by sending out unwanted daily emails. No one likes spam, so keep the emails short, infrequent, relevant, and informative.

The Top Spa Services that Will Attract New Clients and Keep Them Coming Back

When it comes to attracting new clients to the spa, the oldies, but goodies are always a great place to start.  Massage is the number one service that attracts clients to the spa.  The most popular massage is by far the Swedish massage.  This is a good massage for the beginner and when performed by a well-trained therapist, your clients will want to return again and again.  You can also offer other types of massage such as hot stone, aromatherapy, and Shiatsu for those who want to try something new and different.

Other popular spa services include facials and body treatments.  Providing exfoliating facial masks and treatments that relax the face, stimulate the muscles, and target problem skin areas are the types of services that clients are looking for.  Body treatments, such as salt scrubs or body wraps are great for beginners and leave them feeling rejuvenated and ready to make their next appointment!

You can also add indigenous treatments to your menu that combine ingredients popular in the spa’s local region with massages or other therapies.  This might include using peach scrubs in Georgia, volcanic ash mud baths in Hawaii, or blueberry body wraps in Maine.

Trends in the Spa Industry: A Management Point of View

According to the International Spa Association (ISPA), nearly one quarter of Americans have visited a spa and the current trends are focusing on the needs of these educated consumers.

Spa-goers want lifestyle classes, such as healthy cooking, stress management, and medical health courses.

Spa-goers want stress relief in order to relax, soothe sore muscles, and to get an emotional boost.

Rather than being pampered, the typical spa-goer now wants specific results to repair injury, reduce pain, control headaches, or lose weight.

More clients want medical treatments, including chemical peels, microdermabrasion, body wraps, and acupuncture.

Builders are now building houses and condominiums that focus on spa-living and wellness.
Many clients go to the spa to meet other people, so provide opportunities or special activities that allow clients to socialize.

Spa-goers want to control their own spa environment by choosing their own music, lighting, temperature, scents, and oils.

Male clients want products and services that focus on their specific needs and requirements.

The majority of spa-goers visit the spa while on vacation and men are more likely to go to a spa on vacation.

Spa-goers are interested in experiencing new textures, scents, and sounds while at the spa, especially when traveling.