Issue link: https://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/1060121
I is for INNOVATE Modernize the way you're managing your business. Take advantage of all the technology available to you to help you communicate with clients, maintain client records, track your income and expenses, etc. Sure, there will be a learning curve as you figure out how to use all the exciting bells and whistles of a new program, but the long-term benefits in efficiency and convenience will be worth it. If the options feel overwhelming, choose one new program to implement each month or quarter. Ask others for advice and reach out for help if you need it. When you innovate and use technology to enhance the way you run your practice, you transform your practice and pave the way for growth. J is for JELLY Who's the peanut butter to your jelly? It's often more successful (and more fun) to partner with another business owner to create joint marketing efforts, events, and promotions. Co-marketing allows you to brainstorm exciting ideas that benefit both businesses while sharing in the duties and costs. Pick a local business owner—within the health and wellness profession or outside it—that complements your strengths and weaknesses and together you'll create a perfect pair. K IS FOR KICKSTAND. Like a bike needs a kickstand to be able to stand up on its own, your support team is the human kickstand that allows your practice to stand successfully as a business. Start by thanking your existing support team— professional and personal—for everything they do to support you. Then, identify areas where you would benefit from support but don't have it yet (accounting, marketing, cleaning). Actively work to fill those gaps with new team members who help you and your business stand tall. L IS FOR LISTEN. When surveyed, clients said the number-one reason they did not return to a specific massage therapist was because they didn't receive the session they asked for. It is absolutely worth the extra few minutes it takes to ask the client what their goals are for the session and come up with a plan together. When a client asks you to focus on their neck and shoulders, you might think that means give those areas extra time during a full-body session, while the client thinks you will only work on their neck and shoulders. They may also say shoulder when they really mean rhomboid. Put all your active listening skills into practice every session to alleviate miscommunication and disappointment: listen, clarify, and follow through. M IS FOR MEMBERSHIP. Is it time to develop a monthly membership program? It will take a bit more business management time on your end, but the increase in client loyalty, frequency of visits, and regular income more than make up for it. Examine how other businesses structure their programs and consider creating a unique version that works best for you and your practice. Some business owners choose to stick their head in the sand like an ostrich when it comes to facing facts. You have to take a good hard look at the facts so you can make smart choices for the future of your practice. N IS FOR NET. Let's think of net in two ways: versus gross and safety. It's important to know your net income figure versus your gross income figure each year so you know how much of your income goes to expenses and how much ends up in your pocket. The more you can minimize your expenses, the more net income you'll have in your account. And, even though there are many ways you'd like to spend that money in your account, it's incredibly important to add regularly to your savings. You never know when you'll need a safety net to help pay for an unexpected expense or to cover a slow time in your practice. 86 m a s s a g e & b o d y w o r k j a n u a r y / f e b r u a r y 2 0 1 9