Section 17: Best Practices & Workflows
Section 17: Best Practices & Workflows
Build consistent routines that keep your salon running smoothly. This section provides practical checklists and procedures for daily, weekly, monthly, and seasonal operations.
Tutorials in This Section
17.1 Daily Opening Procedures
Start each day right. This guide provides a recommended opening checklist: opening the cash drawer, reviewing today's appointments, checking for waitlist opportunities, reviewing leave requests, checking messages, and preparing for the day ahead. Build consistent routines.
Time: 10-15 minutes
17.2 Daily Closing Procedures
Close your day properly. Learn the end-of-day checklist: closing the cash drawer and reconciling, marking no-shows, processing unbilled appointments, reviewing tomorrow's schedule, checking outstanding balances, and backing up data. Ensure nothing falls through the cracks.
Time: 15-20 minutes
17.3 Weekly Management Tasks
Stay on top of your salon with weekly reviews. This guide covers weekly management routines: reviewing the roster for next week, processing leave requests, checking staff performance, following up on outstanding balances, reviewing gift voucher sales, and planning for the week ahead.
Time: 30-45 minutes
17.4 Monthly Reporting and Review
Monthly reviews help you understand trends. Learn the monthly checklist: running all reports, comparing to previous month, reviewing staff commission, checking customer retention, analysing revenue trends, processing payroll, and setting goals for the next month.
Time: 1-2 hours
17.5 Seasonal Planning and Special Events
Christmas, weddings, proms - busy seasons need planning. This guide covers preparing for peak periods: blocking availability for holiday closures, managing increased booking volume, setting up special event packages, adjusting staff schedules, and planning marketing campaigns.
Time: Variable (6-8 weeks before peak periods)
Recommended Reading Order
For best results, read these tutorials in order:
- 17.1 Daily Opening Procedures - Establish morning routines
- 17.2 Daily Closing Procedures - Establish evening routines
- 17.3 Weekly Management Tasks - Layer in weekly reviews
- 17.4 Monthly Reporting and Review - Add monthly business analysis
- 17.5 Seasonal Planning and Special Events - Plan for peak periods
Key Takeaways
This section teaches you to:
- Build consistent daily habits - Opening and closing procedures that become second nature
- Maintain weekly oversight - Regular reviews that prevent problems from accumulating
- Understand monthly trends - Business analysis that informs decisions
- Prepare for peak demand - Seasonal planning that maximises revenue and protects service quality
Who Should Read This Section
| Role | Relevant Tutorials |
|---|---|
| Owner | All tutorials - especially 17.3, 17.4, and 17.5 |
| Admin | All tutorials |
| Manager | All tutorials |
| Staff | 17.1 and 17.2 if responsible for opening/closing |
| Receptionist | 17.1 and 17.2 if responsible for opening/closing |
Quick Reference Checklists
Each tutorial includes a printable checklist. We recommend:
- Print the daily checklists (17.1 and 17.2) and keep them at reception
- Set calendar reminders for weekly reviews (17.3)
- Block time on the 1st of each month for monthly review (17.4)
- Mark peak period planning dates in your calendar (17.5)
Next Steps
After completing Section 17, you'll have established routines that keep your salon running efficiently. Consider:
- Section 9: Reporting & Analytics - Deep dive into reports mentioned in these workflows
- Section 5: Scheduling & Roster Management - Master the roster features used in weekly tasks
- Section 2: Daily Operations - Detailed guidance on appointments, transactions, and cash drawers
Last Updated: January 2026