Introduction to Salon Management Software: Simplifying Operations and Improving Productivity

By Ayush Ahuja

Managing a business focused on improving other businesses, such as a salon, is no mean feat. Not only is it different but also a bit more difficult than running any other business; primarily because of the unorganized nature of the industry. Operations is an integral but a complex part of running a salon. However, there is good news for the salon industry as technology is slowly but definitely revolutionizing the industry and simplifying the operations of salons across the country. Tier-I cities, of course, are the first movers, as they have warmed up to salon management software which makes running a salon much easier, smoother, and also more profitable.

Revolutionizing salon management

The advent of technology has brought in a much-needed revolution and a very convenient evolution in the salon industry. A McKinsey study recently revealed that the beauty market is expected to reach $580 billion by 2027, with a projected growth of 6% annually, and there could be no better time for a shift than this. Post-COVID, the industry has witnessed a couple of amazing salon management software that are solving many challenges faced by salons, their managers & salon owners. From tracking inventory, managing staff, customer appointments, & measuring satisfaction, to digital marketing solutions and recommendations, the software provides the new-age one-stop solution for all salon needs. This digitization of salons is a definite way to bring in a sustainable system into the salon ecosystem that will go a long way in propelling business growth for salons across the industry. The software benefits salons of all sizes, while it streamlines the operations & increases the visibility of small-size salons, it makes management a breeze for big salons with a wider customer base.

Benefits galore for salons

Salons, till not so long ago, used manual techniques to manage employee schedules, customer appointments, and track inventory – which was time-consuming and prone to human errors. The focus was more on managing the salon at the backend rather than on providing impeccable customer service or upgrading the equipment, techniques & facilities at the salon. Even the marketing aspect was compromised. This did not give the salon owners time or the inclination to upscale their salons; both in terms of services or customer acquisition. This has changed with the advent of salon management software. There is a paradigm shift in management methods and also business goals.

Inventory management is an important aspect of running a salon. For example, the wedding season being the peak time for salons, requires more than sufficient inventory to be able to function in full force and at its full capacity. Whereas in the regular days, the weekdays or mid-week could be considered as lean days. This understanding is very important for smooth functioning. With the coming of technology solutions in the form of management software, salons can now schedule appointments online, send reminder/push notifications, and streamline the crowd at the salon, thereby also reducing and even eliminating the waiting time. This will enable them to confirm appointments in advance, and in turn, manage their inventory in a much more efficient manner. The software comes with a robust inventory management module that helps salons keep track of their stock and also generates automated alerts when the items need replenishment. It ensures that no customer goes unhappy and that the salon won’t run out of stock.
Another crucial facet of salon management is employee management. Since most salons are open on all days of the week, managing employee leaves, extra hours, workload, performance review, ratings, and others becomes challenging, if managed manually. The software digitizes the complete process, hence, tracking employee attendance, leave requests, and rush-day attendance is made easier and hassle-free.

In conclusion, the digitization of salon management through new-age software has broadly had a two-prong advantage. Firstly, this software has managed to shift the focus on the customer experience and upping customer services, rather than letting the salons dispose of all their energy in the daily grind of running a salon. Secondly, they have brought in the concept of analyzing and tracking data which was neither readily available nor easily understandable by salon managers previously. The software empowers salon owners with data-backed key performance indicators, which can further be used to drive business on a robust growth path. It helps the owners understand customer demographics, beauty trends, product sales, and a lot more. A digital, tech-enabled game changer is here to upgrade salons across various categories, simplify their operations and increase productivity.

(The author is Mr. Ayush Ahuja, Co-Founder of Zalon, and the views expressed in this article are his own)