Filling chairs.
WHAT APPOINTMENTS PROVIDE
Predictable capacity use Reduced waiting Ability to plan staffing
WHAT WALK-INS PROVIDE
Volume from passing trade.
WHAT MIXING THEM REQUIRES
A plan, or the schedule collapses.
WHAT TO ESTABLISH
Whether you take appointments, walk-ins, or both with reserved capacity.
WHAT TO RECORD FOR EACH BOOKING
Client and contact Service requested Stylist Time and expected duration
WHY EXPECTED DURATION
Services vary enormously and booking uniform slots destroys the schedule.
WHAT TO ESTABLISH
Realistic durations per service, from observation.
WHY FROM OBSERVATION
Assumed durations are consistently too short.
WHAT OVERRUNNING PRODUCES
Every subsequent client waiting.
WHAT TO BUILD IN
Buffer between appointments.
WHAT TO DO ABOUT NON-ATTENDANCE
Measure it, and reduce it.
HOW
Reminders shortly before A stated policy Deposits for long or expensive services
WHY DEPOSITS FOR LONG SERVICES
A missed four-hour appointment is a substantial loss.
WHAT TO ESTABLISH
The policy, stated at booking.
WHAT TO DO ABOUT LATE ARRIVALS
Decide in advance: shorten, reschedule or refuse.
WHY IN ADVANCE
Deciding in the moment is unfair and inconsistent.
WHAT TO TRACK
Bookings against capacity Non-attendance rate Waiting time Which slots go unfilled
