Online Sassoon Education – it doesn’t get any easier

Earlier in November this year, HJ X Sassoon held an exclusive, virtual, educational event that was packed with knowledge, learning and tips shared by a panel of Sassoon experts that included Mark Hayes, International Creative Director; Daniel Harvey, Assistant UK Creative Director, and Caroline Spencer, Senior Colour Director.

The sessions were inspired by Sassoon’s proprietary methods of ABC Cutting and Colouring hair the Sassoon way. The live session offered the opportunity to witness firsthand how Sassoon’s innovative techniques can be tailored for individual clients and their wishes; tools to inspire members of one’s team – especially in a time that has been marred by COVID and the opportunity to connect with peers in the field, both locally and internationally, creating a platform for experts, from all parts of the industry, to network and share ideas, challenges and mostly importantly, find solutions.

“The year 2020 is the first time we are doing online education. It is our way of supporting the industry by doing the first week free… and then we offer a subscription, but it will be affordable,” said Hayes. Here are some tips for the Indian audience from his conversation with Vikas Vij, Managing Director, Professional Beauty India:

• Indian hairdressers are so fascinated by technique, so polite, so well spoken, with great attention for details. They are one of the loveliest people to work with because they have such good standards. They are so inquisitive - you cannot just say do this – because they will say ‘why’? They want to know the ins and outs and all the intricacies – which is really nice.

• I still believe that if you are going to become successful, you will have to put in effort. In whatever field you are in, you have to be prepared to put the effort in to learn. If online education can make that more accessible, easier, more available, then do it.

• In terms of COVID, obviously the first thing you do is make your place of work safe and secure for your team, your clients and yourself – that is the priority – unless that is in place nothing else works. Across Sassoon salons, we installed plastic screens and hand sanitizers. Everything was done in terms of distancing, practicality, sanitation and we will do that for as long as we need to.

• In terms of the clients, communication is necessary. Getting the consultation process right, is critical. Listen with your eyes – as soon as they walk in, you can see if they are confident or loud for example. You have to be able to listen to them. What I do, that works every time, is ask them – “Have you got anything in mind or would you like me to suggest something – saying that is so simple and effective.”