Clipper Business Tip - Week #6

Every Wednesday in the ClipperGuy Says blog I share another weeks business tip from my book ClipperGuy Says... Get Busy. There are 52 weeks in the book. I call it Ivan Zoot's 52 week road map to barbering greatness. We are on week six. Go back to week one if you wish to start your year off at the beginning.

Week #6
Mind the Messages

Be aware of the radio station and the television channel that you broadcast in the shop. Are the messages and images you are exposing your clients to in keeping with the mood and feel of the business you are trying to build? Is the radio playing ads for other haircutting businesses? Is the television program in conflict with the values and temperaments of the clients you wish to retain? Is that magazine cover displaying an image that is appropriate for ALL of your traffic? Be sure that the messages that you support are supporting the growth of your business.

I do not know if there is much more to say on this one. They are decisions that you must make. You must make them. Do not be swayed by the opinions of your staff. The radio is not for them. I have heard all too many times a hair cutter claim that they spend 8 hours in the shop and the radio is for them. NOT! The radio is for clients. You WORK here.

In a 2 team town you need to be very careful about team alliances. I am a north sider and a Cubs fan. We do have Sox fans in our area and clients can be pretty passionate about this stuff. If I were to hang a Cubs banner in my shop... I would be sure to have a Sox one somewhere too. The Sox one would be much smaller and on the back of the bathroom door, but it would be there. ;)

Not every one appreciates country music to the extent that I do. I just might have to pass on some of the twang I love in the interest of crowd building. You might as well.

Andis item of the week - Pro Fiol Shaver

The featured Andis item of the week for this week is the NEW Andis Pro Foil shaver (17010).

This is a new item category for Andis. We spent a lot of time learning about this category and what users like and prefer in foil shaver tools. Then we went out and built a really good one. Early word from users, tryers and buyers has bee very positive.

The Pro Foil features gold titanium foils... stronger than the foils on other tools for long life and peak performance. The holes in our Pro Foil foil are NOT round. Take a good look at the shape. the holes have corners... like a hexagon. This traps passing hairs and provides smoother, one pass cutting and a comfortable bump-free result. Bump free was a major concern for foil shaver users with textured (curly) hair so we tool extra care to deliver in this area.

The Pro Foil is light weight. it has good balance and a nice ergonomic feel. The motor is strong and the run time and recharge time are surprisingly long and short.

Here is the item on our web site:

http://www.andis.com/USA/productsPopUp.asp?SP=Y&Product=Shaver&Div=Professional&ID=17010

Barber Stop - Check this out

Barber Stop
Have you seen one of these? You are looking at my retirement plans. I am going to get me one of these. I am planning to spend the second 50 years of my career just cutting hair. This would be a great place to do it. There are fully self contained, operational one chair barber shops… in the shape of a traditional barber pole. All you need is electrical hook-up and you are good to go. Hot running water is there for cleaning tools and sanitation purposes. You just need to find a place to put it. In a high traffic location you can easily build business. Plus your traffic can build business for your host venue. Everyone wins. Check them out.

I shot a video last time I crossed paths with these guys. have a look...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJCI6wTNBVA&feature=channel_page

Have a look at their web site:
http://www.barberstop.com/

Clipper Vocabulary - G

Clipper vocab day is Wednesday in the ClipperGuy Says blog.

G is for Geometric Style - The squareness strived for when creating flat top styles and many masculine silhouettes.

This can come in many shapes. Even though round is a shape... stronger, more angular forms are usually referenced when this subject comes up. Men's styles will reflect a more masculine shape and feel when corners are left in and lines are harder, stronger and more right angles are apparent.

Have a look at a few of the pics below.
Strong, straight sides...
http://haircutsformen.org/buzz/haircuts/buzz13.htm
Squareness...
http://haircutsformen.org/buzz/haircuts/buzz44.htm
Verticalness...
http://haircutsformen.org/buzz/haircuts/buzz47.htm
Yup...
http://haircutsformen.org/buzz/haircuts/buzz23.htm

Take your own tour through the gallery here at www.haircutsformen.org

Tuesday - Clipper Tip #9

Tuesday in the ClipperGuy blog is clipper tip day. Here is another from my collection

Clipper Tip #9
Eye Teeth - Throughout all cutting, keep your clipper or trimmer positioned so that you can keep your eye on the cutter blade teeth. If you cannot see the cutter blade teeth, you cannot see what you are cutting.

So simple, but so important, like your little league coach had reminded you, keep your eye on the ball.

Links:
Here is a site for an eye chart. Make sure you can see.
http://www.disabled-world.com/artman/publish/eye-chart.shtml

Question of the week

Monday is question of the week day in the ClipperGuy blog. Featured questions are ones that I think have broad appeal/interest from the prior week from ask the expert on the andis.com web site.

How do you use the adjustable lever thingie on the side of an adjustable blade clipper?

This is the tapering adjustment. Look at the blade from the side. Notice the angle of the non-moving blade. Notice how as you move the lever the position of the cutter blade changes relative to the leading edge of the non-moving blade. Notice that when the blade is closed (lever up) the cutting action takes place at the tip of the blade where the non-moving blade is thinner... leaves less hair on the head. Open the lever up all the way (down). Notice that the cutter is now positioned back at a much (relatively) thicker portion of the non-moving blade... leaves more hair on the head. You can position the blade at any point from the extremes open and closed to in between. This adjustment feature lets you taper and blend with extreme precision and control. It is that simple.

The image above is the Phat Master... but the principles are the same for any adjustable blade clipper.

Be on the lookout for a YouTube video explaining this info. I am shooting it tonight and will post it next week.

Thank you for another great question.

Links:

Go to the andis site to ask your questions

http://www.andis.com/

The Andis Improved Master is the number 1 adjustable blade clipper on earth.

http://www.andis.com/USA/productsPopUp.asp?SP=Y&Product=Clipper&Div=Professional&ID=01557

This week on YouTube

From all the requests, finally I have posted a how to fade video featuring the Andis 4 min fade technique.
Click the link below and have a lookie.
I have a printed technical of this available as well. Send me an email expert@andisco.com and I will get you a copy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7r040HaxXkY&feature=channel_page