Lifestyle

Barbers have Two Roles to Fill, Study by Booksy Finds.

Barbers have Two Roles to Fill, Study by Booksy Finds.

That a Barber has responsibilities that specialize in men’s hair which include cutting, trimming, styling, and dyeing client’s hair according to their needs, or the latest hair trends. This is mostly viewed as their primary objective and has been presumed to be so for the longest time. But barbers are often very skilled professionals that are known to offer great companionship and general advice to clients.

Professional barbers often aim to earn as many loyal customers as they possibly can through a one-on-one connection with the clients, and they rely on reviews and referrals to earn new clients. Sadly, most people are yet to experience the grooming services of a barber.

Barbers as Therapist

The barbering industry is really popping up, especially in the wake of the covid-19 pandemic.  Statistics show that many people visit barbershops daily for either a haircut, a quick trim or funny enough a quick chat which leads to the services of the barber being utilized.

Barbershops have a rich history. They are more than just a place men go to get a haircut; they have become a place for men to socialize.  This goes to show how much interaction goes on between a barber and a client. Once the connection has been established, a client can regularly take a break from a stressful routine and go to the barbershop to socialize and meet like-minded people. 

A lot of discussions occur at the barbershop, and studies by Boosky show that the ‘most popular topics to discuss with a Barber’ are about the subjects of Covid-19, Family, Work, Personal relationships, Physical health, Mental Health and Sex.

Being able to interact with people is a necessity in the barbering industry. Barbers engage in small talk to effectively communicate with the client to keep them comfortable during an appointment.

Great barbers are skilled at quickly making connections with their clients by using communication skills to enhance the quality of their work. Plus, a great barber will make returning clients feel welcomed and appreciated during each appointment. In essence, great barbers tend to have great people skills.

Another fact to take note of is that barbers are the most listened to when it comes to the advice given by a professional, asides from doctors and lawyers obviously. A study on ‘which professional’s advice are people most likely to act on’ was carried out, and it involved Barbers, Personal trainers, and Bartenders; it was no surprise when Barbers topped the stats according to research done by Booksy over personal trainers and Bartenders.

Yes, the experience of a barbershop is unlike any other. But clients generally agree on one thing though; which is, they have been noticing the impact work has had on their barber. The statistics show that:

Hence, it is not all gun’s N roses at barber-land. Barbers also go through stress and anxiety; likewise, they need that human connection they selflessly offer to their clients.

Once again, when that connection is established, it helps both parties to relax and unwind in a pleasant, welcoming, and engaging atmosphere.

Efficient Skills Developed by Barbers.

Barbers need an extensive set of skills, seeing as they have a responsibility to their clients to perform the best work possible. As stated earlier, barbers often earn new customers through reviews and referrals; hence, as professionals, they often strive for perfection and customer satisfaction. 

Here is a list of skills that professional barbers develop to perfectly satisfy their clientele.

1. Customer Service

Barbers work closely with a lot of clients and can often spend over an hour with them performing services. Hence, professional barbers use customer service skills to expect and meet a client’s needs, collect payments and complete monetary transactions after services have been provided.

2. Active Listening

Barbers use active listening and listening comprehension skills to understand what their clients want and to be sure of their requests. This mostly includes asking about the client’s needs before a haircut, or grooming begins and accepting feedback while working.

3. Time Management

In this modern times, a barber’s work is often by appointment and to meet up with certain appointment times, barbers need to master time management as quickly as possible. This skill enables barbers to ascertain the time needed to set aside for certain tasks and how long each appointment should take so they can set their schedules and maximize their earning potential by booking as many clients as possible per day.

4. Hand-eye Coordination

Having excellent hand-eye coordination allows barbers to complete their work with precision. Barbers benefit from skilled hand-eye coordination when making precise cuts and adding colour to hair. Barbers also use hand-eye coordination to keep their clients safe, especially when using blades, shears or razors near their client’s face.

5. Hair Knowledge

Barbers train to cut and treat different hair types, and because hair can react differently to treatment, cuts and products, professional barbers often have a deep understanding of the type of hair they work with. Knowing how to manage all hair types helps them expand their client base. It also helps them recommend safe and effective products for their clients to use at home.

6. Creativity

Many a client come into a barbershop with something specific in mind, while other customers may require the help of a barber to decide what they want. Such a case requires the creativity of the barber to recommend styles, colours or facial hair trim patterns. These professionals can also benefit from creativity when finding new practices and interpreting a client’s creative vision.

7. Communication

Communication skills help barbers express their ideas and share information effectively. This skill can be used to achieve small talk with the clients as well as educating them on the hair and skincare products that will be right for them to use.

9. Endurance

Barbers do not tire easily. Because they spend most of their shift on their feet, barbers can benefit from being physically fit and having endurance. This allows them to stand for long periods of time and hold certain positions and stances while performing services.

10. Patience

This is one of the important skills barbers need to cultivate while offering their services to clients. Because their services can be time-consuming, barbers need the patience to complete their work without rushing. They also need patience when speaking with customers, because most of the customers can be unsure of what they want and patiently waiting on them while being understanding and kind goes a long way to build loyalty between barber and client.

Barbers can increase their clientele and earning potential by having knowledge of current fashion and hairstyle trends. Being able to understand and keep track of these trends helps them stay relevant and able to accommodate requests.

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