We are super pumped to present this 3-part series on how to build and maintain an awesome studio culture. The key is, it doesn’t happen by accident. And it won’t last if we don’t know how to maintain and nurture what we have built.
The Dance Studio Owner = Entrepreneur
37-years ago, we became Dance Studio Owners when we purchased my former dance teacher’s Studio in Fairfield, CT and renamed it D’Valda & Sirico Dance Centre, some years later we added music and it became D’Valda & Sirico Dance and Music Centre. Running our own studio was a major adjustment for us! From performing to owning a studio. Over the years we have had many successes but we’ve also made our fair share of mistakes along the way and so today we are happy to share with you some of the ideas that we have found to work well and that have helped us to build a great culture in our business.
It made us realize how important it is to not only say the right things but to make sure people feel welcome and at home when they enter your dance studio. We typically work with children, and it is important that both the children and their parents feel welcome and part of your family. If the culture at your business is positive and uplifting it will attract the right kind of people to your business. It helps your clients and others understand the value of your business. Your culture will help everyone to feel comfortable and want to keep coming back to you.
Your culture is the DNA of your business. It is the who and what you are. It’s Mission statement vs Vision Statement combined. Think about what we all do… We provide a service. We are in the service industry. And that means people serving people. Or as the Ritz Carlton likes to say to their employees Ladies and Gentleman serving Ladies and Gentlemen. How civilized right? So, your culture will be developed, enhanced and built from the environment YOU and YOUR team create.
Your business culture really does all begins with you. It begins with your vision, your mission statement and your confidence. It is then easy to get your team to believe in how you want the business to be and where you want to take it. Prioritize your expectations. Connect with your team on a regular basis to reaffirm what your expectations are. If you are excited, they will also be excited and it is so much easier to keep everyone on track. Let them know that you have their backs and always show gratitude. It really is just about communicating not once, but constantly. In general people have trouble concentrating and keeping focused, so if you really want to see results, find ways of reminding your team as you take each step and recognize each step forward that you are taking! You are the one that creates the culture with your attitude. If you keep accepting things that are being done in your business when you do not like the direction they are going, don’t expect any change. Change only comes when you do things differently.
If you are not happy with something in your business or want to make changes the good news, is YOU HAVE THE POWER. Just like the lyrics in that song… “I’ve got the power” You can make any change but it all starts with YOU!
Here's your assignment:
Get a pad and pen and walk around your studio and take some notes. Do this when no one is there and then do it again when classes are going on. Write down what you notice about the energy, look and feel of your space. Is there something missing? What do you see and are your parents seeing the same thing? Talk to parents that are there and get some feedback. Find out what they like about the look of your studio and ask questions that will help you understand their point of view. This simple yet very effective exercise will give you insight into what you are projecting to your customers.
Next month we will explore the 3-keys to building your awesome studio culture
Here’s to your success
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