Hair Color Expert Erica Colon applies hair color using the Headmapping technique

Headmapping™, created by Walter Claudio, is a new and innovative way to standardize hair coloring. It determines exactly which sections of hair will be colored and the exact amount of product to be used. With Headmapping™, color clients are still left with the color they desire but leave a smaller imprint on the environment in the process.

Headmapping™ is the only standardized hair coloring system that effectively reduces waste. According to the official Headmapping™ website, “the system defines areas of the head into specific sections, creating a ‘map’ that determines exactly how much… product… is required to perform each service.” Erica Colon, Lead Color Specialist of Maximum FX, says that it is as simple as paying attention; “Before, colorists were mixing the same amount of color for every color service. With Headmapping™, we can mix less color because [stylists] are paying attention to exactly which panels of the head are being colored.” By having this coloring system, it is possible to accurately measure the amount of color necessary to achieve the desired results and to eliminate wastes of unused product.

With eliminating color waste, Headmapping™ salons, like Maximum FX, are doing three major things to help safeguard the environment: minimizing their carbon footprint, decreasing the amount of toxic chemicals being washed down the drain and saving resources. When choosing a salon, color clients should consider choosing an eco-friendly one, concentrated in helping the environment, in order to decrease their environmental impact as well.

Maximum FX has recently deployed a web-based collaboration software created by 37signals, a software company based out of Chicago, Illinois.   The suite of software products recently installed contains four applications designed for different purposes.   We are using three of the four software applications to streamline operations, facilitate project collaboration across salon locations, centralize file sharing amongst team members, coordinate calendar events, and resolve customer challenges.

Here you can see where we have uploaded commonly requested Human Resource forms for team members to access online. This allows easy access to forms needed on a regular basis.

One of the most powerful new applications we are utilizing is Basecamp, one of four applications within the suite of products offered by 37Signals.    Basecamp is a project planning software that you wished you had on that last project.   Before, we managed projects with email and used Microsoft Excel to manage to-do lists.   We’ve said goodbye to both!   Today we use Basecamp for all things project related.  We collaborate amongst team members across salon locations on fundraising events, salon fashion shows, marketing projects, consumer clinics, meeting agendas, business strategies, and the list goes on.

Here you can see the Basecamp Dashboard which highlights all of your active projects and the recent activity on each project. It also combines all events across all projects and places them on the Dashboard calendar.

Today we have clarity and clear communication with everything we’re doing.   Accountability measures are now in place such as to-do lists with assignments and due dates.   This ensures that we are productive and getting things done.   No more talking, now we’re doing!

Here's an example of how we set up to-do lists and assign tasks for one another. We can even assign due dates which keeps us on schedule for getting things done.

Highrise was developed by 37signals as a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) application.   CRM is  is a widely implemented strategy for managing a company’s interactions with customers, clients and sales prospects.   At Maximum FX, we use Highrise Contacts to help us handle any client complaints and challenges.   Highrise Contacts allows us to deliver on our promise of “Making People’s Day”.  We are able communicate challenges throughout the entire organization, keeping the team informed of any developments and how challenges were resolved.   Feedback from clients are documented in Highrise Contacts and the information is used as part of our ongoing training on a daily basis.   Everything is contained in one place, with easy access from virtually anywhere there’s an internet connection.

Here you can see how the leadership team is managing a negative review on Yelp, documenting our actions every step of the way.

And as if all of the above wasn’t cool enough (and you’ve made it this far down on the blog), here’s an added bonus.   We’re even using Backpack to create and share haircutting and hair coloring portfolios to be used in consultations with our guests.   Stylists and colorists in different locations are now able to share their knowledge and work using this incredible web-based technology.  All of this information is transmitted over the internet right into the chair side consultation via iPads.  The uses are virtually limitless.  We’re still finding ways to streamline our operations and develop better processes.   It’s part of a relentless pursuit to enhance our guests’ experiences in our salons and spas.

Until now, the majority of the planning and coordination process for weddings took place over email.  What a headache!  To eliminate redundancy and confusion on our end and the bride’s, it’s our practice to coordinate all communication through one team member for our entire company.  Now, picture all of the phone calls and emails flying back and forth when scheduling multiple services for several different people.     When brides contact us for services, we understand that they are allowing us to be a part of the most important day in their life.   That’s a lot of responsibility.   What worked for us five years ago, just wasn’t working for us now.  We knew that we needed to look at how we facilitated our work flow that allowed more organization and better collaboration between Maximum FX and our clients.    That’s when we found Basecamp.  A web-based collaboration tool that allows us to manage projects, and collaborate with our team and clients the modern way.

Here's a sneak peek at the Project Dashboard that summarizes all of the recent activity on this bride's wedding planning.

Here you can see where the bride uploaded photos to the Basecamp project ahead of her scheduled visit. This allows her stylist to review the images to get an idea of various looks that she enjoys. With iPads available in the salon, this makes for a very powerful bridal consultation.

Basecamp allows us to contain all communication, calendars with events, files, images, to-do lists and more between Maximum FX and our client within each project that is created in the software.  The software is web-based so we can grant access to our clients for specific wedding projects that we create.   It’s just an easier way to work.  It eliminates stress, improves communication, and positions us to provide a better salon experience for our brides.

Here you can see where phone notes are stored under the wedding project created for Cynthia Woods. Both the bride and the MFX wedding coordinator can log in at any time to review notes that were made by either party.

So there you have it!  Just one more innovation brought to you by Maximum FX and the guys over at 37signals.com.  Stay tuned for more blog posts on how we continue to use Basecamp for internal projects, making collaboration productive and enjoyable for our team members every day.   If you are getting married, or you know of a friend, family member or co-worker who’s planning a wedding.  Send them our way.  We promise to take good care of them!