Salon Today - December 2008 - (Page 36)

GIFTS “The real fun begins at our annual dinner party where Angela presents Angel Awards. Each employee receives an unusual and beautiful angel ornament. As she gives each individual an angel, she extols the that person’s virtues and their contributions to the Angelora family. Each individual learns how important their role is within the company. It is truly an emotional moment. Then, David hands out bonuses and we exchange our Secret Santa gifts.” —Sandy Evenson, stylist and colorist, Angelora Color & Design, Savannah, Georgia GREATER A Bit of Comfort “Last year I was very surprised at the great response and excitement from a gift I gave my staff members. I went to the local department store and purchased 38 pairs of Ugg slippers, something we all needed after a busy month of standing. I think I got a hug from every member of my staff. I also held a catered event with a live musician and staff members were encouraged to invite guests and special clients.” —Cindy Landa, owner, Estilo Salon and Day Spa, West Des Moines, Iowa Extended Vacation “One gift I’ve given is a day off with pay—whatever a staff member’s average daily commission is for the previous year is paid in a cash bonus. I also always close the salon Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and the day after so all of my staff can spend time with their families. Last year we worked every Monday in December and closed the entire week of Christmas—the total sum of all the Mondays was equal to a week’s pay. The staff really loved it!” —Elaine Travis, owner, Splash Hair Studio, Conshohocken, Pennsylvania Put it to a Vote “I have a love/hate relationship with our holiday party! In the past, we have always had a nice dinner as a group, but I felt like some people didn’t really appreciate it and felt it was more an obligation than something fun. So this year I sent out a survey to get a feel of what people wanted to do as a staff holiday event. I offered choices and the unanimous winner was bowling. So we are going to a trendy bowling alley in Philadephia. The alley caters right to the lanes and offers fun foods like tater tots, mac and cheese and funnel cakes.” —Jessica Hammel, owner, American Male Salons, Reading, Pennsylvania Games People Play Since many of the salon owners referred to the gift exchange game as a clever and fun way to host a staff party, SALON TODAY decided to do a little research. According to internet research, this popular ofﬁce party invites each guest to bring a gift of the same approximate value. All participants bring their wrapped, but unlabeled, gifts to the pile. Gifts are typically inexpensive and humorous. All participants draw a number to determine their order. Participant #1 chooses a gift, opens it and shows it to everyone. Each successive participant, in the order determined from the drawing, can choose to “steal” an already opened gift or chose a wrapped gift. If the participant chooses to steal, then the person whose gift is stolen now repeats their turn and either steals another person’s gift or unwraps a new gift. This cycle of stealing can continue for a long time, until a new gift is chosen, at which point the turn is passed to the participant with the next number from the drawing. When done in the right spirit, the gift exchange becomes entertainment for the party. Party Time “Each year we have an employee party for staff members and their dates either at a local restaurant or rental facility. We try to make the event entertaining as well, and have had karaoke, team-building games, and a gift exchange game. This year we are considering a holiday bowling party. In addition, I try to ﬁnd meaningful gifts for each staff member each year. One year we gave everyone a luxurious logo robe and last year everyone was given an autograph frame that they passed around for others to sign.” —Patricia Owen, owner, Faces DaySpa, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina Free for All “I was thinking about getting some ﬂatirons, hair dryers, and other needed equipment and having a grab bag. I just can’t decide whether to do the cruel one where the next person to grab gets to choose one from the pile or one that someone picked or just have everyone grab a gift and they all open them at the same time.” —Diane Pawlak, owner, Blondie & Leftie’s Hair Salon, Canton, Michigan 36 | December 2008 www.salontoday.com http://www.salontoday.com

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Salon Today - December 2008 Contents Editor's Note Reception Fashion Sense Marketing Spa Menu Shared Value Igniting An Industry What the World Needs Now Greater Gifts Products Owner to Owner

Salon Today - December 2008

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