solviNG iNdustry ProblEMs
Harnessing Our Collective Wisdom
Engaging in regular , structured peer group meetings could be the answer to up-leveling your team , your effectiveness and ultimately your career . by lyNNE HitE
In the craziness of running a spa , we often find ourselves struggling to address the challenges and issues that most impact the effectiveness of our operations . On those occasions , wouldn ’ t it be nice to know that you have already scheduled structured time with a group of brilliant , caring peers who can help you prioritize , focus and brainstorm ? People who understand what you are dealing with and who can offer solutions , honest feedback and support ?
As a former spa director and spa owner , I know how enticing this sounds . I can tell you from experience , having a supportive peer group offers all that and more .
In the mid-2000s as our industry was growing at a rapid rate , we spa leaders raced to put in the right systems and strategies not only to sustain the doubledigit growth in our businesses , but also to keep up with the demands of our spasavvy resort guests .
At the time , I worked for a resort management company that had 14 spas scattered throughout the United States . Five of the company ’ s directors , myself included , were selected to form a spa leadership team . Our goal was to share best practices and create common business standards for our collection of spas .
We discovered the most effective way to accomplish this was to set up biweekly calls to brainstorm , share our challenges and provide feedback . Each spa
director had an area of expertise that she brought to the table . Our topics included retail , human resources , finance , customer service and training .
Our monthly meetings provided space where we could openly share the critical issues in our operations . In turn , we gained peer support and insight in addressing these challenges . The power of this collective wisdom , combined with the support of the group , transformed the way we showed up as leaders . As a result , there was a palpable difference in the quality of our work and our effectiveness .
Why is this relevant today ? Our industry is still growing and evolving at a rapid rate . We are called upon to develop innovative business strategies and create inspired guest experiences . We must
30 PULSE ■ September 2017