Tell me, how do you create and establish a good relationship with your salon customers?  This is a question I'm sure a lot of salon owners would like to comment on, but I'm not sure if they really understand what it takes to make that happen.  Let me explain.  When you walk into a salon, a front desk person usually wants you to fill out a consultation card that has all of your personal information, wants and desires.  Then, the stylist asks you, "What are you looking to get done today?"  After the consultation is done and the service is complete, that's it.  The relationship is no longer there!  The customer gets no follow-up call or email; the salon has no more contact with that customer unless they just happen to come back weeks or months later.  I'm sure this happens to a lot of people out there and I guess we just expect this from businesses.  They provide a service and then...wham bam..thank you mam...it's done!  In today's world we need to go further in our customer service skills so that we never lose focus on the customer...Yes, the customer!  You should treat your customer like an extended relationship, someone you need to check in with and ask if there is anything that would make their experience better.  Communication is so important today!  In order to build any good relationship, it takes communication and trust.  We should always stay in contact with our customers, not just by sending them emails, but taking the time to get to know them.

• Are they having a good day?
• How is their family?
• What are their interest and hobbies?
• Let them know what's going on in your salon.
• Tell them a little bit about you.

All these things bring me to the core question.  How well do you know your customers...really?