NHBF launches new guide to help salons unlock the power of their software

The NHBF has published a guide to help hairdressing, barbering and beauty salon owners transform how they think about their salon software.

Most salons these days will have a computerised salon software system, which will often be used for day-to-day tasks such as taking bookings, managing the salon diary, accounts and stock control.

But the NHBF’s guide, What the right salon software can do for your business, argues that, used to its full potential, your salon system can be so much more than this.

In fact, the computer sitting on your reception desk or in the back office has the potential to become your very own extra “silent salon manager”, in the process helping to create a much more efficient, profitable salon.

The guide, produced in association with NHBF affiliate Premier Software, shows salons how they can turn their computer system into a powerful tool to monitor and improve staff performance, reduce costs, enhance the client experience, promote and market their salon brand and extend into exciting new areas, such as online retail and social media.

It also outlines what salons should be looking for from a salon software and computer system, whether you’re upgrading an existing system or investing in this area for the first time.

Alongside the new guide, the NHBF has introduced a new business event Using Reports to Manage your Team which looks at how salon owners can boost their team’s performance, giving clear feedback, making appraisals more effective and setting targets for team members to achieve.

The free guide nhf.info/nhf-guides adds to a growing library of online resources now available from the NHBF. Guides on salon health and safety, pensions, the minimum wage, franchising and starting up in business will soon be joined by new guides on setting up a training business and chair renting.

NHBF chief executive Hilary Hall said:

Day in, day out your computer is collecting priceless data about your business that you can use to improve your profitability as well as your team’s performance.”

Jessika Carrera Maybury from Premier Software said, "In a tough economic climate, salons need to maximise every advantage they have. This guide shows how your salon software could give you an invaluable competitive edge.”