In the world of men’s grooming, a strong team of skilled barbers is the backbone of any successful barbershop franchise. They’re the ones who will give your clients the haircut they’re looking for — not to mention, your customers will be interacting with the barbers the most out of any of your other employees.

On top of all that, finding and retaining top talent can be a challenging task. 

There are several effective strategies that you can use to recruit and train skilled barbers while also maintaining a positive culture within your men’s barbershop franchise. Let’s explore them so you know what to do before, during, and after your next hiring round.

Recruit Skilled Barbers

To build a team of exceptional barbers worthy of your Gents, you first must identify the qualities that make a barber stand out. 

Beyond the technical skills and expertise required for the job, barbers should possess: 

• Creativity 
• The ability to stay up-to-date with trends 
• Strong communication skills
• Exceptional customer service

A genuine passion for the craft and the industry can also drive barbers to deliver exceptional service to clients.

Make the most out of different recruiting channels when you go out looking for new hires — online job portals are a good start, and industry-specific platforms will help you reach more potential candidates. 

Networking events (like The Gents Place Members-only events) and trade shows provide an opportunity to connect with experienced barbers who are actively seeking new opportunities. You may also consider creating a referral program, as employee incentives can also leverage the power of word-of-mouth. Remember: satisfied employees will only naturally want to refer other like-minded people to join your team.

A thorough interview and skill assessment process is also essential in ensuring the right fit. You’ll want to ask them to demonstrate their barbering skills so that you can evaluate their technical abilities, while questions about their personal lives will gauge cultural fit within the team. 

Implement Effective Training Programs

We will give you everything you, a Gents Place franchisee, need to properly train your barbers.

The process always begins by familiarizing your people with The Gents Place brand, mission, and core values. This foundation will instill a sense of belonging and purpose within your team.

Hands-on training and mentorship play a vital role in developing the skills of new barbers. Pair them with experienced mentors to not only help their skill development but also foster a sense of camaraderie and support.

Provide ongoing training to keep your team updated on the latest trends and industry information. Encouraging feedback and continuous improvement will create an environment that promotes growth and excellence — exactly what we want in a Gents Place franchise location.

Apart from technical skills, training in customer service and client relationship management is a must. We hope that you don’t come across any difficult situations or complaints, but the truth is they may happen. 

Hammer home the fact that long-lasting client relationships will lead to higher customer retention and loyalty. A quality barber should already know this, but a small reminder from time to time is always a good idea.

Retain Your Top Talent

While customer retention is of utmost importance, employee retention shouldn’t be overlooked.

To retain top talent, competitive compensation and benefits are crucial. Fair pay and other perks can motivate barbers to perform at their best. Additionally, providing health benefits demonstrates that the franchise cares about the well-being of its employees.

In today’s world, flexible scheduling and work-life balance are essential for employee retention. Accommodating personal commitments and preferences, along with offering paid time off and leave policies, can contribute to a better work environment.

Don’t underestimate the power of regular feedback sessions either. They’re necessary to identify areas for improvement and are also a great chance to tell your employees how happy you are with them. Use these meetings to address any concerns promptly — you’ll show your team that you value them.

Ultimately, your men’s barbershop franchise will only be as successful as your employees make it. By recruiting people with the right qualities, you’ll create an environment where your team thrives and your clients keep coming back for more.

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