DOS AND DON’TS OF TAKING ON A NEW TEAM

Jamie Brooks shares his lessons for transitioning a new team, using his own recent experience at the new Brooks & Brooks salon

After 21 years in Brooks & Brooks’ Holborn location, Sally and Jamie Brooks were informed that they had to leave their premises. Following an unsuccessful 18-month search for a new home, the two salon directors decided that when a neighbouring salon was closing down, it was the perfect premises to take over.

The five-storey building underwent a huge refurbishment and opened at the end of May. So, as well as dealing with builders and architects, Jamie has also been spending time with the other salon’s team members who have joined their business. Fortunately, “the old salon was similar to us in that they worked with the same products and offered high quality services,” Jamie explains.

As a result, the previous salon’s team members have joined Brooks & Brooks, and Jamie has been managing the daunting task of transitioning members of an already existing team to his own, Brooks & Brooks team. When taking on an existing team, there are a multitude of things to consider, from acknowledging people’s feelings on both sides, to holding on to your business's core values.

JAMIE'S TOP TIPS 

• DO
Align new with old: Recruiting any team member must be beneficial for your business. They must correspond with your existing team and brand, so make sure there is a set of models and values which relates to everyone.

• DON’T
Dismiss people’s feelings: You must create one, united, happy team. This means prioritising the feelings of both new and existing members to make them 
each feel special, respected, and valued.

• DO
Stick to your core values: You shouldn’t change or adapt your brand’s key values that it is centred around in order to accommodate for someone new.

• DO
Communicate: Ensure that everyone is aware of your brand’s values, as well as regularly meeting with new team members to resolve any possible issues or concerns. This eliminates any problems that might build up.

• DO
Create a friendly environment: Everyone should want to work with you willingly, as opposed to feeling forced to. So, you must create an environment where they always feel comfortable and confident.

• DON’T
Hide your plans and goals: Ensure that you communicate your upcoming plans, this makes you more respected as you are being honest. Also, doing this in a group with all team members present will prevent any speculation and conflict.