Professional Development 5

Welcome to the 5th installment of Professional Development. This week we will talk about Business Etiquette. I recently worked a health fair for a Chicago company with 5 other therapists. At the end of the day I knew I had to write about this for those who may be unsure or those who have no idea about proper business etiquette. Again these lessons are from my experiences and what I feel work best in the massage world. This is a long post so strap in.

• Prepare: This is number one for a reason. When you are going to work, chair massage special event, etc, please prepare. Make sure you have everything you need like, business cards, face cradle covers, hand lotion, hand sanitizer, massage chair, tools (I hope you use them), music, hand wipes for cleaning, a good breakfast/lunch and whatever else is required to have a successful event. If you will be working with other therapists for a health fair or expo, have a meeting a week before the event. The meeting is to get everyone on the same page and same mindset for the event. At this time schedules should be ironed out for breaks and lunches so that no one is over worked. The meeting is also when a dress code is talked about so that all the therapists look like a team. More on this later. I could go on but I think you get the idea. As a therapist and any business for that matter, there must be a level of excellence that far outshines the next person.

• Skills: When you work an event or just go to your job, you are expected to perform at a certain level. The job required may be lower, high or in most cases medium, which is where the majority of people live. Don't be in the majority! Your mindset should always be one of excellence. A high skill level will enable you to help many more people than your average routine therapist. I have put throughout this blog many ideas and a few people to learn from to take your skills to the next level. Believe me people will notice especially at an event where there are more than two therapists. The ones with higher abilities are usually sought after. Continue to read, take classes that will help you and push yourself to be your best.

• Dress Code: The very clothes we wear are important part when there is an event, look at any sports team. On any team the uniform lets you know who they are but more important the sameness lets everyone know there is a connection, a unit, a mindset. Look on almost any basketball court during the summer and you will see the shirts vs. the skins. It is a real mindset that one must embody to really work with people. If you will be working with other therapists make sure there is something of a dress code. When spectators observe from the sidelines you want to be seen as a unit working together not just working. There is a big difference.

• Hygiene: I can't believe I'm writing about this one but I must. Before you leave the house please bathe, wash your hair, brush your teeth, put on deodorant, cut and clean your finger nails, CLEAN clothes, clean underwear and clean socks. We work with the public and no one wants to smell our Body Odor because we think it's cool not to use soap everyday. That is all that I will say on this topic.

• Professionalism: This is a wide area for most of us so I will do my best to focus it for massage and similar therapies. All the above are part of what it takes to be a Professional Massage Therapist. To get specific about the dress code, I have always worn Adidas track/sweatpants that have a slick, smooth look to the them. My shirts are always polo style made of cotton/polyester blend for easy sweat evaporation. My shirts are also made by Adidas. This "uniform" is easy to move in, comfortable BUT stylish. I try and stick to a white shirt and black pants for every event. I have worked events from parties, law firms, expos, private gigs and I always have a professional look to my sports clothes. I usually wear Adidas sandals with clean socks just in case I want to slip out of shoes for a Thai massage stretch and then slip right back in. Never should you be barefoot at a company event (in fact I'm never barefoot when I work). This smacks of unprofessionalism and bad hygiene.

Time is an important part of being a professional. Always arrive at least 45 minutes early to set-up and then gather yourself through prayer, meditation or whatever you feel centers you. Start and end on time and make sure your sessions are the allotted time so as not to create a pile up. I have seen many therapists get "lost" because they are not paying attention.

Ok, that is enough for now. I think I touched on some areas where massage has to grow and some areas that could be more refined. I hope that in the future we can can have a more of a focused mindset about massage therapy and improve and learn from ever encounter.

PD6 in two weeks.

Peace

Nepatized Thoughts

I'm back. It has been a couple of weeks since my last article due to a lot of work (good thing) in the massage world for me. Today is a new day though, we are in new times. Everything as we know it has changed, is changing as you read this. Business is different make no mistake about it. Please understand both clients and therapist, students, etc that the old models of work and business is dead. YOU must think about and expand your mind outside the framework of the box to grow.

I work with people all the time and a few understand they must have as as Les Brown puts it; a larger vision of themselves. That includes your business. In spas therapist and owners must understand their clientele and trim down some of the unnecessary services and get to the real modalities that help people. I believe the prices in spas should be looked at as well. Massage and like therapies are not for getting rich but helping others.

My business is growing at a steady rate because I understand the times and I act before I need to. This is vision. I have lowered my studio rates but I give even better service. I now offer chair massage in my studio for those who may not be able to afford my table rate. I make the sessions more focused as well as therapeutic. I am doing even more chair massage special events and work with a good friend (SC) to come up with even better event ideas. I'm really working to make the work fresh and alive. I focus on doing the work (read Nepa Massage) not Thai, Tui Na, hot stones, pregnancy, etc. People have no time for all the extras, they just want to know if you can help them with their Desk Stress or sore hip.

Therapists and soon to be therapist should take a look at your business and finds ways to improve even if you are doing well. If your business is struggling take a look at your skills, appearance, where you work and clients. Take a honest look at everything and adapt your massage business for TODAY not five years ago. Be in the NOW.

I had the chance to work a health fair event this past week and it was amazing to see how some of the therapists worked, acted, dressed and talked like it was five years ago instead of summer 2009. I will talk more about this in my next PD article next week.

In closing,I will continue to bring my thoughts and experiences to you so that you may use them as you see fit. This blog and its contents are for these times and thoughts. Again be in the NOW. I believe that we all have gifts and abilities which when used can help the world, the only thing we have to do is begin with fresh and creative thoughts and do the work.

Peace

The Furious 5

On one Saturday every month I get together with the Furious 5 for a Massage Day with Nepa. This an event that is one of the highlights of the month for me because I get to do five hours of massage in one day on these good people.

Now Massage Day with Nepa started almost 3 years ago with just two of them. Then last year it turned into 4 and by the beginning of this year they became known as the Furious 5. During this "Spa Day", I work on each individual person for an hour helping them through whatever ails them. These sessions are never about relaxation but therapy. This time is also a little party with good conversation, laughing, joke telling and great food. I think all this together makes for great therapy and good times.

This type of event is a good idea for family members, friends, massage therapists, etc who are interested in getting a massage on a regular basis with other like minded people. This group atmosphere will keep the cost down and energy positive. With the Furious 5 I work on a massage table but you can coordinate an event with a massage chair to keep the cost even lower.

The best thing about the Furious 5 is that I get to see them improve and feel better physically and mentally. Like I said before; one of the highlights of my month.

Here's to The Furious 5!

Professional Development 4- Gift Certificates

Welcome to PD4! Gift certificates are a good way to "give" massage to those that might not otherwise receive one or for your clients to offer your services to someone they know. People are always looking for the perfect gift and what could be better than a great massage. To me gift certificates are not a way to build revenue but to offer another aspect of your massage services. Your skill and word of mouth is what builds your practice.

Now in my practice I offer different types of certificates; three for table massage and one for chair massage. I like to offer more than one for my table work because people will appreciate some choice in their selections. The chair massage gift certificate is the only one I have found to have an actual background print of someone doing chair massage on the inside. I use these mostly at the law offices that I work with doing chair massage. These are great for birthdays and as "Thank you" presents for co-workers. I also give out gift certificates every now and then just to keep the energy following in my business.

For a good selection of gift certificates click HERE.

Always have a selection of gift certificates on hand for your practice. You never know when someone will ask you if you sell gift certificates and you can always inform your clients you sell them and they will make a great gift.

PD5 in two weeks.

Peace