As a progressive spa manager or health/wellness director, the next time you walk through the front doors of your spa, take a good look at what your reception area is saying to your clients. Is it saying come in, relax, we are here to serve or go away, time for stress, we don’t want you here?

Whether you realize it or not, your reception area can say all of this and more, so make sure yours is projecting a positive attitude, not a negative one.

Create a welcoming environment by making your reception area light and open. Stay away from harsh colors that are too dark or too bright.

You want to create an atmosphere of serenity, so don’t distract with unusual artwork, ugly furniture, or unnecessary clutter. You might want to consult with an interior decorator or room planner to help you develop the right atmosphere.

Your front desk should be low enough for the receptionist to see everyone in the reception area, but not so low that all of the computer wires and desk clutter can be seen. Studies have shown that higher desks or ones with closing windows make clients feel unwelcome. So, make sure your clients know they are welcome by creating an inviting atmosphere.

Popularity: 20%

The Institute of Spa Management is committed to offering quality distance education via online learning to students and professionals in the spa industry. New full programs for 2009 have been announced including Front Desk Spa Management and Spa Ownership - UK Version.

Brooklyn, NY (PRWEB) July 14, 2008 — The spa industry is growing at unprecedented rates, and with vigorous growth, professionals in the spa industry around the globe are scrambling to keep up through quality training and relevant education. The Institute of Spa Management, famous for their revolutionary Spa Management Program, and add-on Spa Ownership Program has announced two new intensive programs, that will be available in early 2009 - Front Desk Spa Management Worldwide and Spa Ownership - United Kingdom version. As with all training and programs offered by ISM, these new additions will be offered via self-paced, distance education, allowing students the ability to keep a full-time job and still study towards a rewarding spa industry career. Payment plans and scholarship opportunities are available for all students.

The Front Desk Spa Management Program is geared to students located anywhere in the world, who want a concentrated education in the area of ‘front of house’ management including front desk operations, reservations, retail management, inventory logistics, client services, computer management and more. The new Spa Ownership - UK Version, which is an add-on program to the Spa Management Program, is similar to the US and Canadian versions now offered, but concentrates on spa industry laws, rules and regulations that are uniquely applicable to the United Kingdom.

Regardless of which program a student is enrolled in, ISM challenges each management student to become a world class leader, via current management teaching models, theories and processes that are used by MBA graduates and CEO’s around the world, but which ISM has customized to meet the unique management needs of the spa industry worldwide.

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Popularity: 18%

It’s difficult enough going to school, going to work, and dealing with the issues of your everyday home life, family life and social life… but add a little summer heat and it can be downright impossible to get motivated about your education.

So, rather than taking classes in a hot and stuffy classroom, why not advance your career by taking spa management courses online in the air-conditioned comfort of your own home?

The Institute of Spa Management (ISM) offers online classes year-round, making it easier than ever to achieve your goals quickly and easily. Whether you are new to the spa industry or a seasoned spa professional, ISM has a program for you.

At ISM you can choose the all-inclusive Spa Management course that covers all areas of spa management, including finance, public relations, client services, marketing, and more. At the end of the course you will be fully qualified to fill any spa management position available.

You can also take individual courses, such as conflict management, human resources, customer service, and others. It’s up to you how you want to spend your summer months, but spending it advancing your career goals with ISM in the comfort of your own home makes it easier than ever.

Popularity: 36%

The spa industry is a people industry, yet many of the people who work in the spa industry seem to have forgotten this little fact. The main goal of any business is to make money and when you’re in the business of making people happy you have to remember that when they don’t leave happy, you don’t make money!

One of the simplest ways to assure that your spa clients remain happy is to treat them with respect and a positive attitude. Read the rest »

Popularity: 19%

Institute of Spa Management announces online training for spa managers, spa owners and client service professionals in the spa industry.

Visit ISM online at http://www.spacollege.org to enroll.

Popularity: 26%

In 2008, the International SPA Association will build upon its reputation as the voice of the spa industry by debuting LiveSpa. To be published in June, this inaugural publication will focus on educating the spa consumer.

“With more than 14,000 spas in the United States alone, the spa lifestyle is clearly mainstream. However, consumers still have important questions about etiquette, what goes on at a spa and the benefits of the spa experience. LiveSpa’s content will address those questions while encouraging more people to embrace spa-going,” said ISPA President Lynne McNees. “ISPA is proud to produce this new tool that will educate the next generation of spa-goers and will, in turn, grow our members’ businesses and sustain the industry.”

LiveSpa is the sister publication of Pulse, the magazine for the spa professional. “The mission of this new publication from ISPA is to directly answer questions from the periphery spa-goer, those who have yet to completely convert to the spa lifestyle,” said Executive Editor Julie Wilson. “This magazine will avoid the use of spa jargon and ethereal language and speak directly to those relatively new to the spa experience. LiveSpa will be a timeless resource for spa consumers of all experiences.”

Planned articles include:
• Through the Eyes of a First-time Spa-goer – a behind-the-scenes look at a newbie’s spa experience
• The Mindful Approach to Aging - (Hint: there’s no “get young quick” scheme)
• Organically Inclined – What does “pure” and “natural” mean anyway when it comes to skin and body care products?
• Food Less Traveled – Eating healthy in your own backyard

In order to reach the spa-going consumer, LiveSpa will be circulated to all ISPA members, with additional copies available for purchase. The association has more than 3,000 members in 75 countries. The complete list of members may be found on www.experienceispa.com.

Popularity: 22%

Knowing what your competition is up to is one of the best tools you have in keeping informed of what services and specials your competitors are offering. This is why it is so important for your spa management team to keep updated and continuous records of what the other spas in your area are doing by simply making regular calls to your competition.

If you are not making these calls - you are going to fall behind when it comes to offering the newest services and latest products at competitive prices because you won’t know what your competitors are offering. More than likely, your competitors are calling you to find out the very same things, so fight fire with fire by making sure you know what they are offering to as well.

Another great way to find out exactly what your competitors are doing is to visit them for yourself or send one of your employees or a friend for an undercover site visit. Have them take a tour or even provide the money to get a treatment or two done. This is money well spent that will give you greater insight and information into what your competition is up to.

Popularity: 30%

For many spas today, space is something that is in short supply. To keep costs low, many spa owners buy smaller locations and try to make the most out of their cozy surroundings. This can make good business sense, but sometimes it can be a difficult call knowing what parts of the spa to give the most valuable space to.

Many spa owners try to save space on their treatment rooms. It seems like a logical place since clients spend the majority of their time on a massage bed and do little moving around, however, making the treatment rooms too small can be a mistake that can cost your spa client satisfaction ratings, as well as return visits.

In order to feel relaxed, most people prefer larger treatment areas to smaller ones. That closed in feeling can make clients feel tense, stressed, and many times claustrophobic. However, making treatment rooms more spacious and less cramped feeling can leave clients feeling relaxed and able to focus on enjoying their spa experience rather than the size of the rooms.

So, don’t skimp on space in the treatment rooms or you may find that your smaller spa rooms will remain empty!

Popularity: 28%

Brooklyn, NY (PRWEB) April 25, 2008 — In an effort to connect spas worldwide with international ISM students who are highly educated in spa operations and business management, the Institute of Spa Management (www.spacollege.org) has launched the ISM Job & Career Center. The service is free for all employers in the spa industry to post jobs and internships for positions that relate to spa management. Within 24 hours of approval, opportunities are broadcast to current students, as well as graduates of the ISM spa management program.

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Popularity: 45%

According to the International Spa Association (ISPA), nearly one quarter of Americans have visited a spa and the current trends are focusing on the needs of these educated spa consumers.

Spa-goers want lifestyle classes, such as healthy cooking, stress management, and medical health courses.

Spa-goers want stress relief in order to relax, soothe sore muscles, and to get an emotional boost.

Rather than being pampered, the typical spa-goer now wants specific results to repair injury, reduce pain, control headaches, or lose weight. Read the rest »

Popularity: 37%