Use What Really Sets You Apart to Build Business and Retail Sales - [read]
Spa owners, managers and estheticians have to tell the story and share the knowledge—it’s absolutely your responsibility as a spa professional. You are the people with the essential licenses, training and expertise. When consumers are provided with good information, they will make wise choices. You have the responsibility of keeping your staff up to speed on the latest developments, products and their benefits, and in turn, the best ways to communicate this knowledge consistently and accurately to clients. - skininc.com

5 Ways to Increase Client Retention - [read]
An existing loyal customer base can help most businesses ride out a storm and in some cases be the key to growth for your business while competitors struggle and watch their customers jump ship for lower prices elsewhere. There are several ways to increase your retention and turned satisfied customers into fans. - openforum.com

Ideas to Coddle and Keep Customers - Even in a Cold Economy - [read]
Finding new ways to offer your service or product can increase customer loyalty, inspire more per-customer spending, and attract customers you wouldn’t otherwise get. Why are those three benefits especially vital to you now? Because the economy is flitting up and down like a nervous bird. You must be seeking ways to stay lean and still attract customers. Here are five tips for remaining a “must have” part of customers’ lives. - openforum.com

When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Creative - [read]
So you think the economy is hurting your sales. In all honesty, you are hurting your sales. There is plenty of business going on every day. People are buying. Their reasoning and process may have changed, but the end result is the same. The difference between those who thrive and those who flounder is in their heads - successful business owners decide to succeed. That decision propels them to be more creative with their process. There are three key ingredients to selling in a more challenging economy. - openforum.com

Raising Retail - [read]
Award-winning Blo Salon, located in Raleigh, NC, attributes around 30 percent of its profits to retail sales, signifying that the salon clearly employs an effective business model. "We consistently represent our brand," says Bryan Nunes, the owner of Blo. "We educate our clients and staff on the products we use, and we also give our clients regular incentives."- americansalonmag.com

Shoppers Need Deadlines, Too - [read]
While the power of deadlines in the workplace is well known, it turns out customers benefit from them, as well. A well-timed gift card, sale or promotion can help consumers overcome their fence-sitting instincts and splurge, experts say, so long as there's a ticking clock in the background. They'll even enjoy it more.- theatlantic.com

Your Image Is Your Business - [read]
Despite the age-old maxim that cautions against judging a book by its cover, it’s human nature to perceive physical appearance as an indicator of what’s inside. The brain works at lightning speed to take in visual information and interpret its surroundings. Making decisions based on appearance is simply a part of that natural process. - skininc.com

NAHA Finalists Announced - [read]
Don't miss the 20th Annual NAHA Awards as part of the best industry event of the year - PBA Symposium, July 19, 2009 beginning at 6:30 PM at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, NV. Register online to attend the Awards only or for the entire Symposium, and view the Finalist's portfolios online. - probeauty.org

The Top 10 Online Activities for Moms - [read]
American mothers with children ages 18 and under log an average of three hours a day on the internet, one hour more time than the two hours their school-age children spend online, according to a study by the Marketing to Moms Coalition. The study about moms' media habits found that the most common online activity for them is checking and sending email. - marketingvox.com