HJ ADVERTORIAL

Meeting of MINDS

What happens when top industry leaders discuss the future of our industry?

WELLA RED NETWORK GUESTS

As part of their annual community programme, Wella brought together their RED Elite Customers at Wild by Tart in London to discuss key industry challenges and come up with solutions. The topic of discussion? How do we recruit, retain and reward existing talent in our industry?

Wella Professionals Managing Director UK and Ireland, Max Amen, opened the event declaring: “We want to be the best partner for you. Thank you for sharing your thoughts today and helping us shape the future.”

Tatiana Suvorova, Senior Director Sales and Education, chaired the discussion, spotlighting salon owners who had unique perspectives or had created innovative ways of working. What stood out for HJ was just how focused salon owners were on creating a nurturing salon culture and the importance of giving back and inspiring the next generation.

On the topic of recruiting and retention Cos Sakkas, Global Creative Director TONI&GUY, said:

“As you grow hairdressers, they’ll grow with you. Apprenticeships are a dying breed, but they shouldn’t be. At TONI&GUY we have 180 apprentices, and we have another 400 on our waiting list. You’ve got to nurture them. If you get them cleaning and making coffees, you’re using them incorrectly. You have to treat them like adults and essential to the running of your brand.” This led to the audience sharing their perspectives on recruitment and what’s worked for them.

The conversation then seamlessly moved into rewarding existing talent. We heard from Lara Johnson on her monthly reward plan for her team and Sarah Mason, who had judged the previous day’s TrendVision student category. “The TrendVision Xposure finalists are our fresh talent. But we have to adapt to their way of learning, not push our way onto them,” she urged.

In closing, Tatiana looked to the future: “We need to shout about how amazing it is to have a hairdressing career. You can rely on Wella to bring like-minded business owners together to support and elevate the industry.”

KEY HIGHLIGHTS

1) Invest time, as well as money, in future generation.

2) Balance proactive and reactive training.

3) Develop culture, not just skills.

WELLA RED NETWORK LUNCH

HJ INTERVIEWS CLIVE AND PAUL FROM HOB

HJ INTERVIEWS

HJ caught up with salon owners at the event to hear their thoughts.

“IT’S GREAT TO SEE A COMMON FOCUS ON NURTURING AND ENGAGING APPRENTICES. WE’RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER. OUR INDUSTRY HAS BEEN TOO COMPETITIVE IN THE PAST, BUT TIMES HAVE CHANGED. WE HAVE TO WORK TOGETHER.”

PAUL SIMBLER AND CLIVE COLLINS, CO-FOUNDERS HOB SALONS

“WE ALL NEED TO FOCUS ON UPCOMING TALENT. INSTEAD OF THINKING OF HOW IT USED TO BE, WE NEED TO SHOW THEM PROGRESSION, EXCITEMENT AND CREATIVITY. WE NEED TO TEACH DIFFERENTLY TO HOW WE WERE TAUGHT.”

ANYA DELLICOMPAGNI, MANAGING DIRECTOR FRANCECSO HAIR SALONS

HELLEN: “I LOVED HEARING ABOUT BUSINESSES TAKING THEIR APPRENTICES FROM ACORNS TO OAK TREES AND FROM SALONS WHO HAVE A RISE IN APPRENTICESHIPS, WHICH IS AMAZING.” GAVIN: “LET’S ENGAGE KIDS AT A GRASS ROOTS LEVEL IN SCHOOLS AND SIXTH FORMS.”

HELLEN WARD AND GAVIN HOARE, RICHARD WARD HAIR AND METROSPA

“WE ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THERE WERE CHALLENGES, BUT THERE WAS REAL POSITIVITY. PEOPLE ARE WORKING WITH THEIR SALON NEIGHBOURS, NOT AGAINST THEM. I MEET WITH LOCAL SALON OWNERS FOR A CURRY CLUB, WHERE WE SHARE PAIN POINTS, HOW TO GROW THE NEXT GENERATION AND WE FIND SOLUTIONS TOGETHER.”

COLIN MCANDREW, MEDUSA HAIRDRESSING