Napolean said an army marches on its stomach. Taken literally, military personnel need to eat well to perform well. But, what Napoleon was really getting at was the importance of the supply line: the logistics of getting food, clothes, and spare parts to the frontline. It can decide a battle.
The adage holds true today as we battle our competitors for customers. In our case, we need well-trained managers and stylists to draw customers, to provide quality haircare service, and to create loyal repeat business.
When it comes to the logistics of training managers and stylists, in my opinion, no other hair salon brand franchise has the resources and commitment that equals or compares to Great Clips.
We recently opened our 65th North American training facility in Vienna, Virginia, in the western suburbs of Metro Washington, DC. I caught up with Mike Sullivan, our senior facilities & purchasing specialist, who shared the details.
"We always locate our training centers off major thoroughfares in areas that are centrally situated to the neighboring franchisees," says Mike. "Our new DC facility is right off Leesburg Pike in Fairfax County and convenient to everyone in the metro area.
"Our training centers have the colors and flooring that match a Great Clips salon and they are used for a variety of purposes. Once a month over a three-to-four day period we'll train managers and stylists. Additionally, the local marketing co-op will use the facility for their regular meetings. And, we'll open the door whenever there's a need for Great Clips personnel to meet."
For our franchisees, the opportunity to train managers and stylists in their own markets is not only a huge cost savings, but it's also a hiring incentive. Logistically it's a competitive advantage.
At Great Clips, opening training centers to support our franchise owners is another reason why we're the number one hair salon brand franchise in North America.
