Why Learn With ISM

The Institute of Spa Management (ISM) specializes in teaching students real-life transferable management skills to succeed in the competitive industry as a spa manager, director or owner. ISM concentrates strictly on teaching spa management courses; providing the most current, pertinent and critical management methods that relate to today's spa industry concerns. Our specialty is taking highly effective MBA level management tools, techniques and practices and applying them to the competitive spa industry.

A recent industry study revealed that spas continue to be a growing business opportunity even though there has been a recent economic decline in North America. The popularity of spa services ensures that you will have a secure, enjoyable position as a spa owner, manager or director... if you are armed with the necessary skills and management abilities.

A spa manager is required to have a great deal of unique knowledge and capabilities. ISM can teach you the necessary skills to meet and exceed your potential goals as a spa manager or spa owner.

ISM makes learning easy and customized. Here’s how:

• Customized college level professional development training where students are challenged to learn and excel; constantly supported with tutor support, a dedicated student liaison for each student and an interactive forum to meet and collaborate with other students at ISM
• ISM students learn at their own pace via distance education and interactive online support. Textbooks and study materials are mailed to each student. Assignments are submiited electronically and module exams are taken securely online so you never need to fuss with mailing materials and you will receive your grades back quickly.
• Our Online Learning Center, complete with student-to-student chat forum, tutor support center and Spa Library ; all open online 24 hours a day, 7 days a week from any computer with Internet access.
• There are no assignment deadlines – you study at your own pace, as it fits into your busy schedule.
• Flexible payment plans offer you the ability to study no matter what your financial situation is. ISM offers several payment methods and frequencies on top of the already affordable tuition. In addition, students that pay in full receive generous one-time payment discounts.
• Highly targeted and professional resume package (free for full program students and deeply discounted for course students at ISM). Not only will you be armed with the latest management techniques and industry knowledge, but you will be able to hit the ground running with a dynamic resume package to launch your career in the spa industry.

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Still not sure? Consider just a few of the business basics you need to be an effective spa manager or owner:

Hire and Maintain Employees. Spa managers are responsible for hiring employees to work at the spa. A spa manager must be aware of current state regulations regarding licensing, verify prospective employees' credentials, hire competent employees who will provide outstanding services and follow federal guidelines for interviewing and hiring staff members. Employees' responsibilities and accurate job descriptions must be provided by the spa manager and/or owner. Once a spa manager hires good employees, they need to maintain a high level of employee and customer satisfaction. A spa manager must reduce anxiety in the workplace by ensuring that the staff is professional and productive and customers are completely happy.

Develop Standards to Support Spa Goals. A spa manager has to determine the goals of the spa and develop standards to make sure those goals are successfully achieved.

Be Accessible to Staff and Customers. A spa manager works in an intensive service-oriented industry and must be available, accessible and agreeable to both staff and customers to address their needs and concerns immediately.

Establish Measurable Guidelines for Spa Activities. Spa managers need to determine guidelines and ensure that all spa activities, treatments, policies and procedures are relevant, marketable, successful and profitable.

High Level Marketing. Spa managers must find new, innovative ways to bring customers into the spa in an extremely competitive marketplace. Through advertising, special pricing packages and superior services, spa managers can make a major difference in spa profits.

Although a spa manager is responsible for numerous activities that ensure the spa's success, they do not have to be an aesthetician. The services provided at the spa are a separate area of education, which is not necessary to be an effective spa manager. The key to spa management is to keep everyone coming back for more so you can boost the spa's bottom line. Further, the best form of advertising is word of mouth and customers who have been pampered are sure to tell their friends and family about the spa.

A spa manager must always consider what is best for the spa when making final decisions and there is no room for misplaced compassion. For example, hiring a newbie can be a poor decision if the person has no experience and starts practicing on your clients. Although you may feel for someone in this situation, you need to be strong enough to resist your personal feeling and hire someone with experience who you can be sure will deliver superior services to the spa's clients.
Job opportunities as a spa manager are growing everyday, as evidenced by a recent Monster.com search that yielded 4,548 employment opportunities in the spa management industry.

ISM specializes in management training for spas worldwide so you will be ready to get your dream spa management job at any spa in the world! Make the most of your business skills and join the other successful people in the spa management industry by enrolling at ISM today.

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