Posted by Christopher Stevenson
For me, getting a haircut has lot in common with buying underwear and socks. I know they're necessary expenses, but I hate to spend the money on them and will put it off as long a possible (but not so long as to be distasteful). That said, when I decide I can't put off getting a haircut any longer, I go to Great Clips around the corner from my office. The reason for my choice is simple, Great Clips is affordable (about $17, including a healthy tip) and they deliver consistently mediocre haircuts (which may not be as good as a good haircut, but it's much better than a bad haircut).
Alright, but you may be saying to yourself that there are lots of cheap haircut places that provide mediocre cuts. What's so special about Great Clips?
Service.
Great Clips keeps notes in their computer about the kind of cut I like. I walk in, give them my phone number, and they check the notes in my file and say something like, "Do you still want a four on the top and a two on the back and sides?" That's right. Then I sit down and they shear my head. Done.
It's just the kind of service a guy who hates spending money and time on haircuts needs.
Here's my thought: Great Clips has chosen to do a few things really right. They know they don't provide the best haircuts. They don't provide a full line of salon services (you'll never catch me in Great Clips the next time I decide on hair extensions). But they provide affordable haircuts with the highest level of convenience of any place in town. They recognized their competitors--Cost Cutters, Fantastic Sams, etc. (not the high-end, locally-owned salon)--figured out what they can do better than others and focused on it. They are not all things to all people and don't try to be.
It's a proven recipe for success. Is your CU following it?
