Beauty Biz

BUSINESS
IMAGINE A PLACE WHERE PEOPLE
THINK TGIM INSTEAD OF TGIF! By Gry Tomte
I mean, having a business where people WANT to rock up to work - rather than looking for
the nearest exit on a Friday night? Sound like utopia?
Well, I believe it doesn’t have to be.
Once upon a time, I had a pretty big bunch of
wilted flowers in my business. To put it nicely.
And it all came to a head when someone stirred
the pot - and boom! I was left with half the team...
All in a matter of a couple of weeks.
It was one of the most terrifying, upsetting - but
ultimately incredibly rewarding, things that ever
happened to me.
You see, for me it was the catalyst I needed
to change my own view on leadership, what I
wanted for my business and for my team - and
just a general shift in how I showed up to work.
Now, this actually hadn’t occurred to me before -
because we were a hugely successful business
and made plenty of money. I really felt we were
on a good roll!
On the flip side though - it was a rotten place to
work. Like, I even really disliked walking into my
own business. No “thank god it’s Monday” there!
So, I thought “this is the time! I only have half the
team left, let’s start making some changes now”.
It still took a good year and a half before we had
completely turned things around. But it was well
worth the wait.
A year or so later I had a 1-1 with one of my
beautiful former therapists (who I still speak
to and is a true asset to another very lucky
business).
I’ll never forget what she said: “I used to sit in my
car not wanting to come in until the last minute.
And now I love coming to work”.
I mean. MY HEART!
I never knew how close I had come to lose this
magnificent star of a therapist. Due to me not
74 Beauty Biz Year 14 Issue 1
doing a very good job as a leader. After all, it’s our
job to lead these lives that have been entrusted
to us. It’s a privilege and a responsibility. And I
had failed miserably. Because I never put much
thought into things like Values and Purpose. I
mean, they’re just words on a page for big biz
right? Hmmm...maybe not!
Reflecting back, we were well and truly falling
into the TGIF category.
The reason I thought this reflection was apt today
is that now, after COVID has ripped through many
states and left a lot of businesses devastated.
Many, like myself, losing fantastic staff members
simply due to circumstances not in our control.
And on the flip side, many are finding out what
some of their teams are REALLY like when the
shit hits the fan! “Why should I work when I get
job keeper?”
Ring a bell??
Some clinic owners have had team members
refusing to help, not show up for shifts - even
stealing from them!
Well, now is as good a time as any to start fresh!
So, who are you as a business? What do you
stand for? What don’t you stand for? Do you
have your dream team?
Or a team that kills the dream?
Have you been recruiting for “anyone” - or that
“special someone”?
From my own experience I can tell you, you don’t
get many opportunities to make these big shifts.
So, if you have one now - take it!
I spent over 6 months with half a team, and we
still experienced growth, made a good profit, and
turned the culture around a the same time.
Even though it’s tempting to work more hours
on the floor to get people through the doors and
make some quick cash, I highly recommend
stepping back a little.
Taking a few days to breathe. And assess the
situation from afar. Take the space and time to
assess - or re assess - your vision, values and
purpose.
Do you have your dream team? And I mean
warts and all - they’ll never be perfect. None of us
are. But do you have the kind of people who’ve
got your back, who are fully aligned with your
values - and who works because they truly love
what they do - FOR YOU?
If you do, then you’ve got a TGIM business. If
you don’t, this is your time to shine!
And if you’re in the situation like so many I’ve
talked to - you have your dream but post
COVID, not enough of them, and you’re are
working 80 hours on the floor in your business
because you’ve lost a big part of your team. And
“everybody wants to see you - and only you can
do what you do” - then it’s time to step aside and
rethink.
Because how will you ever have any free time
to grow your business, train and nurture your
team and have a life - if all you do is work on
clients? Instead, think about blocking some time
off (I know it sounds scary to say no to clients
- and money!!) and spend some quality time
duplicating yourself. Take the time to nurture and
grow your team so they can step up and shine
brighter than you!
This my friends, is the road to freedom - and
a business where you and your team love
Mondays!