Issue link: https://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/68009
during the work, a hand mirror to refresh hair and makeup afterward, and a mint and a drink of fresh water to go. PROFESSIONAL BOUNDARIES AND CONFIDENTIALITY Now that everyone is crazy about you, you're going to run into some manageable problems. The one with the most destructive potential is office gossip. As nice as your clients are, you will be on the receiving end of gossip, anything from office relationships to "I'm quitting this miserable job and not giving notice." Clients will often say in a belated moment of self- awareness, " I shouldn't have said …" Reassure clients that whatever they've told you will not be repeated. Their trust will deepen and so—perhaps unfortunately—will their confidences. Secondly, hone your passive listening skills. In such a close environment, you cannot pick sides and agree that "Yes, the boss does seem like a jerk," because by now he's one of your best clients. Instead, a sincere, "I'm so sorry to hear he treats you like that," offers sympathy without partiality. There are several good books on the subject of passive listening. As time goes by, it's likely you'll be invited to lunch or some other social function. As a personal choice, I always decline, citing scheduling conflicts. You'll be pleased to discover that once you've graciously made yourself unavailable, no one will hound you. Your desire for distance will be amicably respected. Socializing in an office microcosm opens Pandora's box and results in making friends and losing business. Occasionally, work or other pressures overwhelm and one of your clients may start to cry during the massage. This presents another unique challenge. You have 10 short minutes, clients waiting, and your present client must soon return dry-eyed to face her coworkers. In microwave time, you must provide compassion while helping your client to quickly pull herself back together. No doubt you're adequately trained to handle the emotional aspect of this situation. However, the practical, business consequence is your schedule will be thrown off by several critical minutes, perhaps an entire appointment. Don't panic. Go with it. Let all of your subsequent clients know you're running behind. You will find they are very understanding. In turn, you will also need to be flexible. Office employees are prisoners of the telephone. Furthermore, they cannot always drop what they're doing and lope off to the conference room (much as they would love to). Be creative and ready to trade one client's massage time for another. Make it clear that signing up does not lock a client into a time slot. Business obligations come first. You will work around their schedule. Otherwise they will not sign up again. Watch out for abusers though. I have one client who almost never makes his appointment time. I keep him at a low priority, often moving him to the end of my full schedule. To this he takes no offense. We seem to have developed an unspoken agreement. A PROFITABLE FUTURE By now, it has probably occurred to you that your on-site seated clients may easily be converted to off-site table clientele. To facilitate this, on the cloud nine conference table (or elsewhere), display attractive, holiday- specific gift certificates. If there's no upcoming holiday, exhibit a birthday or anniversary certificate. These can be for either location, 60 minutes at the spa or for coworkers who want to purchase on-site massages for one another. There are several other tributaries for branching and building your business. Another company recently recruited one of my best clients. I am now in the process of acquiring his new workplace as an on-site business. Other companies in the same building where you're already working may be interested in on-site massage. Do your job well and your services will be highly recommended. Fondly recalling my first on-site day, I remember being uncomfortably submerged in a sea of suits, ties, dresses, and makeup. As I walked through the office, I received many suspicious glances that said quite loudly, "Oh dear, it's the weird massage lady." And I felt like the weird massage lady. I was out of my element (or so I thought). That day turned out to be a raging success. My on-site practice was an instant delight—personally, professionally, and financially. Since then, it has helped to restore my previously dwindling income, and through it I've rebuilt a respectable table practice. Best of all, the opportunities seem to be limitless. Now that's a sweet sound. massage therapist and freelance writer in California. A graduate of the University of Southern California with a master's degree in biometry, she has published research findings in medical journals such as the American Journal of Cardiology and Cancer Causes and Control. Contact her at lorenblowers@ hotmail.com. Loren Blowers, MS, CMT, is a practicing visit massageandbodywork.com to access your digital magazine 63