Develop a Trend and Run with it

Research

When researching trends, you may notice premium coffee is a trend; you may research skin care and coffee, and discover that coffee is a great anti-cellulite ingredient when applied topically. If Spa memberships are the trend, there is no reason you too can’t jump onto the bandwagon. Being second, third, or twentieth is no less profitable. Explore the Globe for potential possibilities and opportunities. The seekers will always find a way to create a salon and spa concept. Whether it be American (Health conscious or fat conscious - Biggest loser Weight and cellulite reduction, Turkish (Hamam), Brazilian (waxing), Moroccan (Harem blend of essential oils and spices), Italian (Fango mud), African (Pygmy massages with African drumming)  or European (classic facial) or Asian (tearoom and yoga) inspired, anything goes in the world of Spa: Seaweed, Pilates, cures, tonics and rejuvenation, the choices are vast, glorious, indulgent, mystical and magical, High-tech or centuries-old healing traditions, philosophies and rituals. It is not unusual for Spa’s to fuse European and Asian treatments with fitness and pampering.

While spas were once the territory of women, new services have been added for children, teens, seniors, men, girlfriend getaways and pregnant women. 

Thinking Tool

Spend several minutes each day to dream up that salon experience idea, relaxed with your eyes closed. Pick any object that comes to mind and try to change it in your "mind's eye". Change it in every manner you can think of to improve it.

The following evening pick another subject or object and repeat the process. Soon you will be using your creative brain power. As your research, observation, knowledge, thinking and analyzing skills increase so will your bottom line.

You will be surprised what you can find and dream up. Ideas are changed, not by “will’, but by other ideas.

Innovation is coupled in some ways to imagination where every time you see something, you open your eyes to endless possibilities. Literally. According to Chuck Palus and David Horth, authors of The Leader's Edge: Six Creative Competencies for Navigating Complex Challenges, “you need to ―see with new eyes in order to find innovation.” 

Relaxation

Relaxation and creative thinking is much easier in a clean, neat, tidy, uncluttered space.

A clear mind is a problem free mind. Free space = free mind. Often a cluttered environment makes for a cluttered mind. Contemplate where you feel most relaxed – most at ease and consider why. Often it is a clear, open and airy environment with minimal distractions; somewhere you can really unwind.

Fun

Create an environment where your beauty team enjoys their work, and the team morale remains high. You need to exude excitement, and inject that passion so that your team also works with a high degree of energy and excitement. Every month or once every few months, plan fun activities with your team.

Creativity and imagination require that we play, that we be relaxed and free. Being overly serious can prevent even the most creative spirit, intimidating it into never speaking out.

Most ideas are sparked when you are relaxed and not thinking about getting an idea. When you are in the shower or going for a walk, an idea will pop into your head. See, hear or read, that is, receive an impression from something beautiful in nature, art, music, poetry, literature or your fellow-men. Think, feel or realize something in the direction of your ideals and in some way unite your dreams with your every-day work. 

Time and Discipline

Creative thinking takes time and patience. Go for a walk; go outside. When you are pressed for time you begin thinking small and only about things in the immediate future. Thinking big requires time, it requires dedicated attention and discipline that forces you to spread your horizons and open your mind to new possibilities and ideas. Pari Ali says, “Quiet thought, reflection observation and analysis opens much within our own minds, hidden knowledge that most of us carry unawares and sometimes something might just trip it though. Often people go to their graves carrying an undiscovered treasure within their own minds.” Ask many questions. Question the questions. Question the answers. Think and grow rich author, Napoleon Hill said “more gold has been mined from the thoughts of man than has ever been taken from the earth.” It isn't the billions of ideas that pop up in the minds of humans around the globe that make money. Most ideas are fleeting "sparks" that go no place and are forgotten before the next day. Of the ideas that are good, very few are followed up and ever end up as a development in the market place.

© Belinda Meyer publishes information for the Salon and Spa industry. She offers helpful information relating to health, beauty therapy, spa treatments, skin care, hair and more. Want to know more? Visit www.salonprofit.net