Health is the new wealth, and this is at the heart of the philosophy practiced at Cradle Health Spa and Medical Centre, an incredible new holistic health and pampering spa nestled under the beautiful Magaliesburg mountains in the Hartebeespoort Valley, just a short drive out of Sandton.

The Cradle Health Spa and Medical Centre were born out of desire to bring a brand new concept to South Africa. The original concept was to provide a service where a full conventional medical check could be combined with a day of luxury spa pampering and treatments. Integral to the concept was to create a safe and comfortable environment where the dread of seeing a doctor for a full medical or gynaecological examination is counter-balanced by relaxing spa treatments.

As the concept grew and evolved the holistic element developed and complementary and preventative healing modalities were integrated into the original concept.

Cradle Health Spa and Medical Centre offers full conventional medical consultations, a fusion of modern and multi-disciplinary healing modalities, a magnificent day spa and conference facilities, health and wellness seminars, pregnancy and other programmes – all personalised to clients needs by an expert team of medical doctors, gynaecologists, nurses, massage therapists, physiotherapists, beauticians and other practitioners.

The Spa offers a wide range of hands-on treatments from various cultural traditions. The expansive array of traditional approaches allows trained therapists to address each client’s personal needs. Treatments include the Signature Sense Massage Treatments, Swedish and Aromatherapy massage, Sunrise Warm Stone and the Heated Herbal Poultice massages, scalp & hair treatments, facial treatments, body treatments, hand and foot treatments and Pregnancy Packages including Cradle of Life, Light legs treatment, Mellow Mama, Maternal Glow and the 4th Trimester Healing Hour.

Communication with therapists is encouraged to ensure correct pressure, temperature and specific concerns as they arise, allowing clients to customise their treatment.

There are 12 luxurious treatment suites each with a private garden and Spa Café, which offers a buffet of natural foods.
The Spa has its own body care range, which draws upon the healing properties of wild-grown Marula and coconut oils, organically-formulated nourishing creams and pure essential oil aromas.

The Cradle Heath Spa and Medical Centre provides individualised medical examinations for clients based on their personal and family medical history. The Centre supports the premise that an annual medical examination is a vital component of health. It is well established that certain diseases like hypertension do not manifest with any symptoms and unless specifically checked and if missed will result catastrophic consequences. For convenience, an on-site Lancet laboratory depot and qualified phlebotomist are available to draw specimens.

The centre boasts experts such as Dr. Leon Nel, a Family Physician by profession and social entrepreneur at heart, Dr Peter Koll, a specialist Obstetrician and Gynaecologist who has been in private practice in Sandton for the past 23 years and Dr. David Adler, specialising in all aspects of internal medicine and venous thrombotic disease. He has been involved in a number of clinical trials in this arena, has lectured internationally and is a founder member of the South African Society of Thrombosis and Haemostasis. Other experts include Dietitian – Bronwen Stokes, Child Psychologist – Tarryn Felton, Podiatrist – Pierre Oosthuizen, Sports Physiotherapist – Michelle Bester and Plastic Surgeon Dr Mark Steinman.

Made with medicinal levels of certified organic plant extracts, OrganicSpa offers a truly natural alternative to facials and face care products, with its salon-sized products, a full retail range and signature salon treatments.

Founded on the principle of ‘luxury through nature’, OrganicSpa is the ideal brand for the consumer who cares about the environment, animals and their own health. OrganicSpa’s range of face care products are not only of exceptionally high quality, but are also as easy to use.

I was invited to experience the OrganicSpa Facial at Eureka Life in Doringkloof Mall, Centurion – a salon completely dedicated to wellness, through the use of organic and natural treatment, reflexology and various wellness therapies, complemented with nutritional advice and supplementation.  The dedicated team under the guidance of Elmarie Fourie, is committed to their mission: For beautiful skin and good health.

The treatment started with an explanation of the treatment ahead, welcome ritual and then the facial: cleansing, exfoliating, mask and moisturize.  Each step was like a journey in itself, the products were active and the magnificent fragrances intriguing, fresh, inviting and relaxing.  The facial massage protocol was impressive and as each facial muscle was addressed, instilling complete relaxation.  The attention to detail with a therapeutic reflexology, by Lize, while the mask was penetrating, reinforced the wellness message intitated. My skin after the treatment was truly radiant, moisturized and glowing,  but more importantly, I felt a sense of complete wellness, through the effectiveness of the treatment and the guilt-free appreciation of the organic product used.

No OrganicSpa product contains any artificial preservatives (parabens), colours, fragrances, dioxins, mineral oils, petrochemicals, propylene glycol, diethanolamine (DEA), phthalates, sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium laureth sulfate, aluminium, or any animal-derived ingredients.

OrganicSpa carries the following certifications:
• Certified organic by the Organic Food Chain
• Cruelty free certified by Choose Cruelty Free Australia
• Vegan accredited and certified by the UK-based Vegan Society

Harmless House cares about you, about the environment, and about everything that lives in it. Because of this, we represent, distribute and sell a range of high-quality, ethically sourced and organic personal care products that cause less harm to manufacture, less harm to use, and less harm to dispose of. All products are available online from www.harmlesshouse.co.za and from selected stockists.

For more info: Kate Townshend on 082 600 8166 or email: kate@harmlesshouse.co.za

The hiring process does not have to be a particularly long and involved one provided you have done your groundwork before hand. Clarifying exactly what you need in an employee before setting out on the search will be the best foundation you can lay for successful recruiting. Make sure you have outlined the job specifications including the required previous experience, training and skills. Define the culture of your business and include personality traits and expected work ethic. The more detail you provide, the closer your applicants will be to a lasting match.

2. Become well known for being a Great Employer

Nothing is more powerful than word-of-mouth advertising and nothing attracts great candidates like an exceptional employer. You need to get your current employees happy and talking about you. Take a good look at your overall staff turnover and get some feedback. Ask the best staff you have why they love working with you and “sell” your business to potential candidates with direct quotes from your most positive staff members. You want your employees to be bragging about how wonderful it is to work with you. Their peers will trust them much more than any advertisement you pay for online.

3. Offer a better salary than your Competitors

If you pay better than average you will find and retain better employees. Underpaid employees resent their employers, feel unappreciated and will leave you for their first half decent offer. Employee replacement costs can be up to two or three times the person’s annual salary. If you want to hire quality candidates who are capable of hitting the ground running and making money for you, you will have to pay them more than your competition.

4. Include creative benefits in your offer

Benefits in the Spa industry are rarely offered at all. A candidate who is offered Medical Aid and Pension Fund payments but a lower salary is not necessarily going to see your position as the best out there. If you wish to go this route you will need to educate employees about the cost and value of the benefits on offer so that they appreciate how well you are looking out for their needs. Most employees would be content with an employer who is flexible in terms of their working hours and who gives them the opportunity to balance work with other life responsibilities, interests, and issues. In house training and other professional improvement courses are always a big plus. Of course bonuses that pay the employee for measurable achievements and contributions are also simple and cost effective ways to incentivize great work. Ask your employees to share their ideas with you regarding their long-term goals and how you can assist them in achieving these goals. This will go a long way to keeping great staff on board.

5. Make your Website work for you

Your Website should be a portal for the public to learn about and engage with your brand and business. It can also be highly effective for recruiting employees who experience a resonance with what is presented on your site. Websites can be extremely valuable recruitment spaces, so create an employment section that describes your available positions and contains information about your company and how an interested person might go about contacting you.

6. Check References When Recruiting Employees

Contacting a candidate’s previous employers is undoubtedly the best way to find out who the person in front of you truly is. This is an absolute must for successful recruitment as past behavior is the most accurate predictor of future behavior. No one will be better able to tell you how the candidate has performed as a long-term employee than someone who has worked with him or her for a significant period. It is not unheard of for candidates to fudge the truth a little and provide questionable references, so make sure you know whom you are speaking to when you do the checks. Also, do try to contact the two most recent previous employers, as this will give you the best insight into the candidate’s most recent behaviour.

7. Trust your gut!

Trust your intuition and question the unsaid in an interview. If you have a suspicion that the person in front of you is hiding something – they probably are. Gaps in a CV must always be questioned and previous employer details having been omitted are all red flags. If you feel like a candidate ticks all the required boxes but you just don’t “click” with them you can always ask them in for a second interview. This will give you time to sit with your uncertainty and work out if you are picking up on real incompatibility or if your candidate was just nervous and having an off day.

In summary – to hire great employees you need to be a great employer. Offer a fantastic working environment and your happy employees will spread the word. Use your website to work for you and when hiring new staff, know what you want and make sure the person you want to hire is authentic. Good luck and happy hiring!

Nicole Stephens and Sally Kuschke are the Directors of TRS (The Recruitment Specialists). TRS specializes in the placement of exceptional spa, hospitality and IT employees in South Africa and the Middle East. If you would like assistance with staff recruitment please email TRS at the following address: info@trs.org.za or visit www.therecruitmentspecialists.com

8 & 9 July 2012

Montecasino Ballroom, Fourways, Johannesburg

Theme:  Expanding your Spa Potential

South Africa’s leading educational programme for spa, wellness and hospitality professionals
 
The 8^th Annual Les Nouvelles Esthetiques Spa Conference is without doubt the largest gathering of spa and wellness professionals in South Africa, focusing on building capacity, raising benchmarks and adding value to the industry, in addition to the infinite networking opportunites.

The program is focused on helping delegates to better understand their business, master industry best practices and directly apply the lessons in their spa business.

WHO MUST ATTEND…

• Spas Professionals (Spa Directors, Trainers, Therapists, Managers
• Administrators of health and wellness establishments
• Architects & Interior designers
• Beauty professionals and healthcare providers
• Doctors and medical professionals
• Health and Fitness Professionals
• Hoteliers
• Investors
• Product manufacturers and retailers
• Property Developers
• Researchers
• Wellness consultants

SPA CONFERENCE COSTS PER DELEGATE

SA Spa Association Members

2 Days Spa Conference and Gala Dinner  R 2400
2 days Spa Conference –  R 2050
1 day Spa Conference  –R 1250

Gala dinner   370  per person
Non Members
2 Days Spa Conference and Gala Dinner  R 2700
2 days Spa Conference – non- members  2350
1 day  Spa Conference – non-members  1450

Gala dinner   370  per person

Included in the spa conference costs:  Welcome tea, coffee and juice. Midmorning tea, coffee and snack. Delectable Spa Cuisine Lunch Midafternoon tea, coffee and snack.  Notepad, pen and conference catalogue.  Spa Conference Goody Bag.

About Les Nouvelles Esthetiques, South Africa

Les Nouvelles Esthétiques, now published on 26 countries, with head office in Paris, France, has been an international leader in providing up-to-date beauty and spa information for the past 58 years through their international network of magazines, conference and exhibitions. The South African magazine edition of Les Nouvelles Esthetiques Spa Magazine launched in October 2002 and the Les Nouvelles Esthetiques Spa Conference and Spa Award in 2005 and has grown from strength to strength, as we focus on providing the industry with important information on new trends and up to date knowledge in the world of spas, encompassing all aspects of professional skincare, bodycare and spa therapies, spa design, spa management and spa lifestyle.

Keynote Speakers include: 

Improving Staff Retention through Creating an Outstanding Work Culture.  Your Most Important Assets Are . . . People. 

Lori Hutchinson (USA) started her career in hospitality human resources at San Francisco’s Stanford Court Hotel in 1978. In 1982 she opened Campton Place Hotel as Director of Human Resources and stayed in that position until 1986 when she accepted the position of Director of Human Resources at Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa.  In 1993, Lori Hutchinson founded Hutchinson Consulting, a hospitality management recruiting firm.  Between 2005 and 2011 Lori, her husband, Bill and their team have placed 252 hospitality managers and executives, including 76 people in spa related companies primarily in the United States and eight others outside of the US.  She served as a member of the Board of Directors of the International Spa Association (ISPA) from 2007 – 2010. Lori was born and raised in Des Moines Iowa, graduated from the University of Iowa with a Bachelor of Arts degree, and is the mother of two – Kate and Tucker.

Bill Hutchinson (USA) developed his training skills as Director of Training for United Way of the Bay Area in the late 1970′s. In the early 1980′s, as a partner in Otter Hutchinson & Associates, he provided consulting services to Bay Area nonprofits, then founded and directed The Interfaith Task Force on Central America. Bill is an ordained minister of the United Church of Christ and an award-winning author for his book: When the Dogs Ate Candles: A Time in El Salvador. He is a graduate of Pomona College, holds advanced degrees in Education and Theology, and is certified in Management and Training by the National Academy of Volunteerism and the National Society of Fund Raising Executives.  Together, he and Lori have built Hutchinson Consulting into a nationally recognized hospitality recruiting firm.

Brand Essence – Timothy Maurice Webster

• Revealing that the story and reality behind the brand, otherwise known as “essence” is a tangible asset that can be traded, leveraged and served by organizations in order to thrive, remain profitable and keep a competitive advantage.

• This talk will explore how the synergy between the values of our people and your organization can create a ‘leadership impact’ leading to more efficiency, enhanced people relations, individual and team impact as well as more productivity- adding instant value to your bottom-line.

Timothy Maurice Webster is the Author of three brand leadership books and is a Columnist who consults and speaks around three key leadership pillars; Values Formation, Style Manifestation and Brand Position.

Timothy’s background in branding, design and psychology is inspired by his graduate studies at the Image Institute and his undergraduate work at Brookstone College in the United States.  His leadership ideas inspire dialogue and ask his stakeholders (namely his readers and clients) to go to the out skirts of their consciousness in order to consider new scope for their personal and organisational brands.

Timothy works between South Africa and the United States.  His research is particularly influential in gender equality (women’s brand leadership), entrepreneurship, global brand positioning and youth leadership.  He founded the youth leadership foundation www.armabrand.org inspiring youth from previously disadvantaged backgrounds to see themselves as engaged citizens with inherent capacity.

His clients are what he terms ‘influencers’ – those who shape our society (politicians, executives, high profile entertainers and artists).  Timothy has been a weekly columnist for South Africa’s Star Newspaper for nine years and for Destiny Magazine for three years and he also contributes to many business publications from Black Business Quarterly and the Business Report.

Timothy’s latest book Personovation is a bestseller and is reshaping how people see the evolution of brand values.  Timothy’s global alliance with Open Government TV, based in Washington DC, serves to align his global vision of ensuring that both those with influence, and those who desire it, should have the capacity to shape a world of equality where brands (individual and corporate) thrive while creating more opportunity for us all.

Maximizing Public Relations -  Rianette Leibowitz

Rianette thrives on the adrenalin rush caused by “lights, camera and action” and enjoys working in front of the camera and on stage. She is currently presenting for Mosaiek and often takes up the MC role to ensure that, that part of the production runs smoothly. Rianette will be seen as presenter in a lifestyle show on KykNET later this year. She was chosen as Mrs Style South

Africa, Congeniality 2010.

The National Small Business Chamber selected Rianette as National Entrepreneur Award 2011, which echoes her dedication to the world of Public Relations. She completed her Public Relations Diploma at Tshwane University of Technology (the then Technikon Pretoria) and started Owitz Communications (Pty) Ltd. in March 2009. Prior to that, Rianette managed the Public Relations portfolio for Adobe Systems’ Middle East, Africa and Indian Ocean Islands region.

She also worked for many other international companies such as Wacom, Siebel Systems,

Microsoft, Motorola and the Business Software Alliance. From a local perspective Rianette

has gained experience in the food and entertainment industry with clients such as Ferrero, Mr South Africa 2010 Denver Burns, Sookh Halal Butchery and Deli, as well as Ndalo Media,

focusing on the launch of DESTINY MAN Magazine.

She plays an active role in the upliftment and development of the local PR industry by

participating in industry bodies and association activities whenever possible. She sat on the

Public Relations Institute for Southern Africa’s regional committee for six years and was

elected as Chairperson for the region for two consecutive years.

Her message: “Learn to notice and appreciate all the unexpected surprises that come your

way and make complete use of it.”

Full Conference Program to be published shortly.

For more information contact Tel: 011 447 9959 or e-mail: info@lesnouvelles.co.za

ON-LINE REGISTRATION: www.lesnouvelles.co.za

All the Henriëtte Faroche ranges and treatments have one thing in common: the force of nature. Henriëtte Faroche works with 100% pure natural essential oils extracted from plants and flowers with a very intensive effect. Extensive research brought exactly those essential oils together which take care of cell regeneration and bring solutions for specific skin problems using the ancient science of pure natural products combined with the latest and most modern skin care knowledge.

The success of Henriëtte Faroche is based on one main factor: the range enables the therapist to offer very personal, customised treatments and products.  The extensive skin care range has products for all types of skin and also has specific care products that can be used alongside each product range. The luxurious caviar treatment and skin care range is just one of the many products Henriëtte Faroche can pride themselves on.

Caviar Derma Concept is an innovative anti-aging range, which I had the luxury of experiencing.  The caviar extracts and the treatment protocol addressing stress points and lymphatic drainage, quite literally changed my skin, while the indulgent concept of caviar, just added an extra touch of spoil to the facial.  My tired skin was changed into a firmer, moisturised, glowing skin with a soft radiance and energy, which lasted for an extended period.

Dancohr is distributing beauty products and accessories to 61 Countries globally with Henriëtte Faroche already being distributed in over 15 countries. Henriëtte Faroche has now finally reached South Africa with exclusive distribution through The Society :: Beauty & Media Specialists (Pty) Ltd.

For more information contact Fiona on fiona@the-society.co.za  or Tel 083 324 3042

www.the-society.co.za

It all begins with a thought and then turns into a dream that stirs feelings of excitement and anxiety. Designing your dream Spa is the most fun and creative part of the process however before decide on your dream layout, consider the financial costs and benefits you will receive.

There are two elements to Spa design: 1) designing for space allocation and flow and the nicest part 2) designing to a theme, color scheme and finishes. Both are equally as important and it is crucial that you ensure to give the correct amount of emphasis to each of the above elements.

Stay close to the reason why clients visit a Spa, this being the need for relaxation, stress relief and to correct certain skin concerns. Certain design elements will play a large part in achieving this however they will not ensure client retention or a profitable business.

The idea is to balance the two elements and to provide the most comfortable and functional environment for both your clients and staff members. Whatever design you choose make sure you are able to:
MOVE CLIENTS AROUND SMOOTHLY AND EFFICIENTLY
SELL MORE RETAIL
ALLOW FOR LARGER VOLUME OF CLIENTS
KEEP STAFF HAPPY IN THEIR OWN SPACE
GROW YOUR BUSINESS

For this issue we are going to focus on the make or break of your spa business. I cannot emphasize enough how important this area is and how much time and energy you need to put into the planning of this space.

SPA ENTRANCE
This is the clients first visual impression of your business and should be given careful and due consideration. It is essential to have a reception desk, how big it will be depends on the number of clients it needs to service on the busiest day. It also depends on whether this desk will be used for check-in and check-out and reservations. The dream Spa reception area would include a check-in desk, a check-out desk and a separate reservations department which would be kept in a back office free from the busy front desk activities and noise. Keep retail visible and preferably to the right side of the reception desk as this is the side people tend to gravitate towards when entering a business.

The entrance should allow clients to sit and see the retail offering while they are waiting they should not be moved immediately from the reception area to a separate waiting area where there is no possibility to book more treatments, ask about certain services or even make a purchase while waiting for their therapist.

Whilst many of you don’t think that retail is crucial to the spa business I can assure and promise you that NO spa business will be sustainably profitable without a major emphasis on retail sales. Also why not change your mind set and rather think about the retail part of the experience as completing your guest experience and ensuring they take home some type of maintenance till their next visit. Retail must contribute a minimum of 30% of your total business turnover and I prefer to work with 40% retail contribution. Remember one thing: YOUR GUEST IS PURCHASING SKIN CARE, the question is WHO ARE THEY PURCHASING IT FROM???

If you can make a consultation area either as part of the reception area or linked to the reception area be sure to include it. A semi private area for the therapist and guest to consult is important but not a deal breaker as the treatment room can be used as a totally private consultation area too. Careful planning in terms of furniture positioning in this space is crucial as it can ruin a great consultation experience if for example the sun shines directly into your guests eye whilst consulting with the therapist.

Take the guess work out of the Spa journey you offer your clients. They should be able to see the reception area as soon as they arrive and thereafter the journey to the change rooms should be as quick and effortless as possible. Once the client has changed into your Spa outfit make sure the treatment room can be found easily and access to all the facilities is not too far away. Please please please try to make sure that no public places have to be passed between the change rooms and the treatment rooms. I understand that sometimes the shape of your space is not that easy to work so unless you are trying to accommodate wheelchairs try avoid having reception or public areas exposed to guests in their spa attire.

Don’t forget to create good flow for support functions in the spa such as allowing technicians to get to equipment to service it, moving dirty linen to the laundry room, getting stock to treatment rooms and receiving orders from suppliers. Try to plan this as carefully as you can. Most of these functions probably need to pass the reception area at some point in time so plan when this time will be and how it will implicate the spa guest.

I cannot stress enough how important this stage is of your business development. I would recommend that you spend a lot of time on this stage, show the plans to as many people as you can who have a knowledge of this business, your therapists who will be working in the business and very importantly an experienced spa/salon consultant all of which can give valuable input.

In conclusion I would like to wish you a truly unforgettable and exciting journey when planning and designing your spa business and remember two things: every square meter of space must be profitably designed and if you are not sure, call in an expert Spa consultant.

You are welcome to email me on Marisa@thespaconsultants.co.za with any comments, feedback and queries.

Ayurveda has been recognised by the World Health Organisation as a health science. In India the Ayurvedic degree takes up to 6 years to complete and involves traditional and contemporary medical subjects ranging from Herbal Medicine, Ayurvedic Surgery to Gerontology (the study of ageing and life extension). It is a science that deals not only with treatments of disease but is a complete way of life.

Ayurveda practices the theory of balance. According to Ayurveda, health is the state of balance and imbalance is disease. It teaches self-knowledge and self-discovery, encouraging a person to learn who they really are and why they become ill. The person may then change their lifestyle to maximize their health. Ayurvedic treatment of disease is usually non-invasive, preferring to rely on diet and practices.
The Three Doshas

Ayurveda has identified three predominant constitutional categories, or dosha, which control the mind and body. These are Vata, Pitta, and Kapha – Air, Fire and Water. All three doshas form an individual’s makeup, but one will predominate at any given time. Vata controls movement, Pitta controls metabolism, Kapha controls structure.

A Kapha tends to be physically and psychologically heavy, and may have trouble getting motivated. The Pitta person is strong willed, fiery, impulsive and easily burned out. A Vata type is likely very creative and impulsively drawn to spiritual matters, frequently anxious and given to over-exertion.
Ayurveda focuses on living and eating correctly. It is concerned with achieving balance in body and mind by restoring the balance of the three elements of which the body is made. Lightness is considered to be a balanced state. Each person has their own individual body constitution according to the three elements.

Jiva Spa at the TAJ Hotel

The Taj Hotel in Cape Town is home to the first Jiva Spa in Africa, offering authentic, traditional Indian Ayervedic wellness treatment packages in a exquisitely stylish setting, from the moment you walk into the hotels grand lobby to the spa itself. The Jiva spa programmes are designed to pamper and indulge, heal and nourish, restore and rejuvenate and all products used are developed from Indian herbs and essential oils.

Their ethos draws on the rich and ancient wellness heritage of India, the fabled lifestyle and culture of Indian royalty through the centuries and the healing therapies that embrace Indian spirituality. Each treatment and experience has been selected to initiate physical, mental and spiritual equilibrium.

Jiva Spas are rooted in the philosophy that Jiva or ‘life force’ is the foundation of wellness. Yoga and meditation, as well as Ayurveda, aromatherapy and other indigenous Indian therapies are offered by traditional physicians, using exotic Indian ingredients.

My visit to the Jiva Spa was one I will treasure for a long time. Having had the pleasure of staying at the hotel the night before and enjoying their gracious hospitality, delicious Indian cuisine at the Bombay Brasserie which I recommend to anyone visiting Cape Town, luxury accommodation and complete attention to details as far as guests comfort and experience is concerned. After breakfast, I headed to the Jiva Spa.

Welcomed politely by the receptionist. I was then guided to changing facilities, to leave my world behind in the locker and immerse into the Jiva Spa Experience. In keeping with the all natural and organic theme of the spa, the robe and slippers, which I am still enjoying at home today, were a natural cotton, imported from India, as with all the linen and towels used throughout the spa. Thereafter I was met by the Medical Director of the Spa, Dr Thulasiram Hemanth Kumar, who guided me through the most beautiful spa, explained the philosophy of the spa and the healing tradition of its treatments, and additionally how they have addresses the South African client. Extremely knowledgeable and most gracious, the good doctor managed to make thousands of years of Indian tradition and Ayurveda, completely understandable and most inviting. I could not wait for my spa treatment.

I selected the Vishuddi Signature Treatment, exclusive the Jiva Spa, to assist the body detoxify. Using natural oils and fresh ingredients, the treatment started with an exfoliation, with the assistance of a silk glove to stimulate the circulation and energy, as toxins are eliminated. Then warmly cocooned in a traditional Indian Herbal Wrap which infuses the body with health and relaxation and lastly a slow lymphatic massage, using natural fragrant oils, ensuring each area of the body is addressed and as you systematically feel completely renewed. The treatment was simply sublime, between the thorough and insightful explanations from the therapist, fluid movements of the treatment, the fragrant journey of the natural oils, herbs and traditional ingredients, the attentive massage and the exquisitely decorated treatment room, I was very sad to eventually have to leave this beautiful, tranquil Spa.

In true Indian tradition, Jiva believes in the time-honoured adage “Atithi Devo Bhava,” that means “The guest is god.”

A not to be missed 2 Day International Seminar brought to you by Les Nouvelles Esthetiques and keynote international speakers, Bill and Lori Hutchinson, which will transform your spa business

Dates:  10 & 11 July 2012

Venue: Green Genes Wellness Centre, Craighall Park, Johannesburg

Cost:  R 3200 – SA Spa Association Members

R 3750 for Non-Members

The Seminar covers the topic of Improving Staff Retention through Creating an Outstanding Work Culture.  Your Most Important Assets Are . . . People.

Topics include:

·         An understanding of his/her own interactive behaviors and how to adapt those behaviors to others.  We would use the Personal Profile System instrument which will yield a profile for each participant.  This profile will increase their effectiveness in a range of people situations and provide insights into the behavior of others.  Research evidence supports the conclusion that the most effective people are those who know themselves, recognize the demands of the situation, and adapt strategies to meet those needs.

·         How to recruit the best people for the positions that match their skills, experience, and personality

·         How to provide staff regular appraisals of performance that are meaningful and effective

·         Specific Ideas to motivate people and retain staff, including ones that don’t cost money

·         Learn valuable aspects on being a leader of people

About the speakers

Lori Hutchinson started her career in hospitality human resources at San Francisco’s Stanford Court Hotel in 1978. In 1982 she opened Campton Place Hotel as Director of Human Resources and stayed in that position until 1986 when she accepted the position of Director of Human Resources at Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa.  In 1993, Lori Hutchinson founded Hutchinson Consulting, a hospitality management recruiting firm.  Between 2005 and 2011 Lori, her husband, Bill and their team have placed 252 hospitality managers and executives, including 76 people in spa related companies primarily in the United States and eight others outside of the US.  She served as a member of the Board of Directors of the International Spa Association (ISPA) from 2007 – 2010. Lori was born and raised in Des Moines Iowa, graduated from the University of Iowa with a Bachelor of Arts degree, and is the mother of two – Kate and Tucker.

Bill Hutchinson developed his training skills as Director of Training for United Way of the Bay Area in the late 1970′s. In the early 1980′s, as a partner in Otter Hutchinson & Associates, he provided consulting services to Bay Area nonprofits, then founded and directed The Interfaith Task Force on Central America. Bill is an ordained minister of the United Church of Christ and an award-winning author for his book: When the Dogs Ate Candles: A Time in El Salvador. He is a graduate of Pomona College, holds advanced degrees in Education and Theology, and is certified in Management and Training by the National Academy of Volunteerism and the National Society of Fund Raising Executives.  Together, he and Lori have built Hutchinson Consulting into a nationally recognized hospitality recruiting firm.

For more information or to secure your booking contact Les Nouvelles Esthetiques on 011 447 9959 or email: info@lesnouvelles.co.za

SPACE IS UNFORTUNATELY LIMITED

Spa Finder has announced its ninth annual forecast of the emerging concepts set to shape the World of Spa for 2012, and beyond. President Susie Ellis predicts that Wellness and Beauty Coaching, Amusement Park Spas, Snow Showers and Online Wellness Gaming will hit the spa world this year.

Our annual eco-issue focused on all aspects of Green thinking and sustainable development within the spa industry. In this issue, we feature articles such as Making the Right Choices – making good business decisions requires that you know your audience. As either a spa owner, spa director or therapist, you have to know what your clients’ expectations are and be prepared to meet them. As the green consumer occupies a more prevalent place in the spa world, it is important to not only understand their expectations, but to exceed them.

Green Science – investigates perceptions around the words Natural and Chemical. Spa Therapies looks at Greening your Spa Treatments, and expanding your spa menu to include more Intuitive Spa Services for Mind-Body Well-Being. Spa Business looks at the question of when green is not green, as we analyse GreenWash  – the act of misleading consumers regarding the environmental practices of a company or the environmental benefits of a product or service.

The Natural and Organic Directory offers spas an extensive view of the organic and natural choice available to spas today.

While not to be forgotten our exploration of the magnificent recently opened spas in South Africa, our selected Spa of the month, new product launches and industry updates in spa news.

Lastly, a reminder about The 8th Annual Les Nouvelles Esthetiques Spa Conference is South Africa’s leading educational programme for spa, wellness and hospitality professionals and without doubt the largest gathering of spa and wellness focusing on raising benchmarks, exploring new concepts, challenging ideas and adding value to the spa industry, in addition to the infinite networking opportunity.

The theme of this years spa conference on the 8^th & 9th July 2011 is Expanding your Spas Potential, as examine new ways to increase our spas offerings, offer innovative answers for an expanding industry, while ensuring our solid pillars of success are maintained.

The Spa Conference is followed by a 2 Day International Seminar (10 & 11 July) with our keynote conference speakers, Lori and Bill Hutchinson, Improving Staff Retention through Creating an Outstanding Work Culture.  Your Most Important Assets Are . . . People.

Registrations are open on www.lesnouvelles.co.za – See you there.

Enjoy the read

Dr Nadine de Freitas

(Managing Editor)

With a Well-designed Service Menu

By Kaffee Keldie

A popular saying is “if you build it, they will come.” For the spa industry’s purpose, that saying should be changed to: “If you build it, design an attractive, descriptive and compelling menu of services, they will come.” Of course, your efforts should not stop there. The menu must be distributed, and your spa advertised and promoted to attract clientele.
The key to success is to design a menu of treatments and services that projects who you are and what you do in a dynamic way, which entices and translates into sales for your facility. The menu is a multi-page brochure or booklet that includes your welcome, philosophy, service descriptions, policies, images of the facility, website address, physical address with directions, phone number, etc.
Do not confuse a menu with a simple price list. A price list is just that— it states the name of the treatment with the price next to it. Whether you are a long-established business or you are just starting off, the importance of your menu cannot be overstated. It is a key piece of your marketing strategy, and many times the first “touch point” that a potential guest has with your business. Your menu should be a comprehensive guide of who you are and what you sell. It should be prominent on your front desk, appear on your website and mobile phones, handed out at networking events, faxed, e-mailed and included with any gift cards that are purchased.

Whether you are a long established business or you are just starting off, the importance of your menu cannot be overstated. It is a key piece of your marketing strategy, and many times the first “touch point” a potential guest has with your business.

Redesigning your menu
If you already have a menu and are considering a redesign, you will be happy to know it has been proven that a well-designed, new menu can increase business by up to 10 percent. It is recommended that you redesign the menu about once a year. The good thing about redesigns is that you get to know your core customers, and you find out what services are most requested and which ones are not popular. Delete the less popular ones and offer something new and exciting. Remember that a menu is not only impressive to potential clientele—it also assists in attracting talented staff to your spa, as it builds your image and distinguishes you from your competition.
If you are a spa in development, the real nuts and bolts of the menu design will come after you have determined your location, and established your concept, target market, design and décor, mission statement and even your logo. All of these elements should be part of your menu. A well-coordinated effort that is reflective of the spirit and philosophy of your organization is vital to success. It is advisable to have an idea of the services you plan to offer in the early stages, not only for floor plans and equipment purchases, but because this will be helpful in the initial menu planning also.
Once you have established all the preliminary concept decisions, the menu design process can begin. It is always interesting to collect menus from your favorite spas to get examples of the different elements incorporated into a menu. The two basic elements are design (which includes layout, color scheme, graphics, typeface, paper choices and menu size) and copywriting (the descriptive wording and tone chosen for the introduction of who you are, your philosophy, range and descriptions of services and policies). How the menu is organized, the words you use to tell your story, the attractiveness and clarity of design, the pricing and types of services included all have a significant impact on its ability to promote your spa and the sale of services.

Getting started
To begin the design process, it is worthwhile to establish a relationship with a full service printing company in your area, as they can be a helpful resource. A design department with an experienced, trained graphic designer can guide you in making choices to achieve the look and feel of your menu. Together you can use color, font, layout format, graphic elements, paper quality and size to authentically convey your message. It is very important to consider the legibility of fonts to assure that your menu is easy to read. Cost is a big factor in many of the design choices. It may be important to your philosophy to use soy ink and recycled paper, but be aware that it costs more than standard ink and paper. Using full color can give your piece a luxury feel, but does it fit your budget or market position? You want the final product to be financially in line with your margins and not exceed your advertising budget.

Design Dos and Don’ts
1. Present a look of professionalism.
2. Use your menu to further establish your color theme and design story.
3. Arrange treatments in categories: body, face, nails, etc.
4. Include images of your facility featuring models enjoying the experience.
5. Do not overspend on production, and estimate quantities wisely.

Copywriting Dos and Don’ts
1. Tell your story. Set your menu and spa apart from your local competition. What makes you different?
2. Understand and speak to your existing and potential clientele in their language.
3. “Pampering” is out. The terms “wellness”, “balance” and “spa experience” describe what spa goers are seeking.
4. Clearly state the various upgrade and enhancement options within a treatment.
5. Spell check. Avoid grammatical errors.

Decisions, decisions
We like to consider all the senses when developing treatments—sight, smell, touch and sound, but nowadays people buy services that solve a problem, and deliver beneficial results. These are key factors to consider when designing your service offerings. It is also important to identify your signature services—those that you want to be known for and excel in. Offering shortened variations of treatments, known as express services or tidbits, are popular for clients that are pressed for time and/or money but still want to indulge in a spa experience. In the current economy, people are looking for value. There are several different ways to display service pricing. Some menus include it, while others have an insert that states the current pricing. If you anticipate a price change before a reprinting, the second option is best for you.

Copywriting
Once you have made the important and complex decisions about what services to offer, it is time to write copy that describes them. Your service descriptions must be enticing and stimulate the senses. Most importantly, they should be focused on the benefits and results that will be gained from the treatments. Be informative without being too technical, tantalizing yet not confusing and most importantly—legible and inviting enough to prompt a phone call. Convey who you are with words that are easy to understand.

Caveats and tips
Using foreign words that are hard to pronounce can be a deterrent for clients. For your local clients, think about offering services in series of three, six and/or nine. You gain committed clients by bundling services and offering discounts. Present series options right under the listing and description of the service. It is essential to design packages of multiple services with creative names, as these are an expected part of any spa menu. Packages often include lunch or snacks because of the longer duration. They can be designed for focus groups of teens, men, brides or girlfriends, to name a few. Encouraging group services is a good way to invite more business. Get creative, include package options in your menu, and design new ones around each holiday.
The more planning you do to create a menu that truly reflects your vision and purpose, stays current with the needs of your clientele, and clearly outlines what you offer and for how much, the more your business will thrive. Now enjoy the creative process of designing a brilliant menu!