Pulse November 2017 | Page 55

without first having an idea of the cut style you have in mind for a client. You wouldn’t start a massage without asking the client if they have any specific body concerns. Don’t design a plan to teach new hires the ropes before you are clear about what it would look and feel like if they exceeded your expectations. That way your training plan becomes a process of helping them do exactly that rather than a laundry list of to-dos. KEEP This step is easy if you’ve done the first two well. Keeping top talent isn’t about offering them more money to stay. Research shows that even when people are offered more money to go somewhere else, they will stay put if they feel valued and appreciated in their current job. Whether you have no plan, a detailed plan or anything in between, the most important thing you can do to keep the top talent you have is make sure they feel valued by you and the company. Sounds easy enough, but you’ll want to put some thought into what that looks like in real life. Here are some ideas to get you started: l Handwritten note of thanks and acknowledgement of extra efforts l Sign in the lobby seen by all “We love our Susan! She went the extra little things go a long way! Writing thank you notes to team members will make them feel valued and appreciated. mile for our guests!” Shout out in a team meeting (public acknowledgement is a great inspi- ration to all) l Opportunity to grow: send them to a class or the ISPA Conference! l Free spa treatments or wellness incentives. With some thought, planning and creativity you can design and execute a l plan that will make your company a magnet for top talent. Be patient, follow these suggestions and in time the word will get out that your company values people and prepares them well for long- term success. When that happens, attracting top talent will be the least of your concerns and you’ll be able to relax knowing your employees are happy and content staying right where they are. n MErit gEst, cSP, works with companies to design and automate programs to attract, engage and keep top talent. Merit is the author of Myth Shift: Challenging The Truths That Sabotage Success and a certified Speaking Professional, a designation earned by less than 10 percent of professional speakers. if you MissEd gest’s incredible session at the 2017 ISPA conference & Expo, head to experienceispa.com to purchase the Educational Session Audio Recordings. November 2017 ■ PULSE 53