InTouch

I talk a lot about the need to have goals. Successful businesses don’t just happen. You need to carefully think about what you want to achieve and set a course of action to get there. But no matter what goals you set, the marketplace changes and you need to respond accordingly...

Here are three current consumer trends that should be foremost in your business building radar:

• Clients in the current economic climate are more interested than ever in value.
• Baby boomers are not only planning on not dying, they want to look and feel good not doing it.
• People prefer treatments that are an investment in prevention and health.

If you live near Longmont, Colorado, you have a great opportunity to volunteer your time and showcase your skills to the community while you do it. The American Diabetes Association is looking for volunteer massage therapists to help out on August 20th for its big fundraiser the Tour de Cure Colorado bike ride. Last year, more than 1600 riders participated in the event which raised over $800,000...

The Alliance for Massage Therapy Education (AFMTE) is holding their second annual conference August 18 – 20 in Charleston South Carolina to discuss the theme Bringing Teaching to the Next Level. This event brings the best of the best together to work toward creating a standard of excellence in massage therapy education...

In an ideal world, every client values your service, praises your skills, shows up on time and pays promptly. But we don’t live in an ideal world, and there always will be clients who either test your patience or diplomatic skills. You know those clients. They are the ones you dread because they complain too much, are always late and even worse don’t pay at the end of the session. How many times have you heard, “I must have left my checkbook or credit card at home?” With these clients, the chemistry is just off.

Close your eyes, take a deep breath, let it out slowly and smile. This statement is printed on the back of my business cards for a reason. It is to remind my clients of one of the most important functions in life – to breathe joyfully. Joyfully? Absolutely...

Where there is congestion, FLOW cannot exist - without flow things get stuck. Although not impossible, it is difficult to feel at ease when things are stuck. Nasal congestion can make you feel like your head is going to explode, traffic congestion can frustrate even the calmest of us, mental congestion can paralyze our decision making processes to the point of complete self-destruction and bodily congestions cause pain, restricted movement (of both body and internal processes) and diseases such as atherosclerosis and cancer...

I just got back from my week long training with Eric Dalton in Costa Rica and all I can say is wow! I am so glad I got the chance to study with this genius. I already utilized joint mobilization as a tool in my treatment room. Now I know that I was only playing with it. After his class I see so many more applications and my effectiveness have already showed marked improvement. Expanding my knowledge base has once again helped me to fine tune my skills...

Have you ever looked at a stippling painting? You know the ones that are made up of 1000s of little dots? When you are up close all you see is dots, but when you take a few steps back a clear image manifests itself. Well, I think of learning in much the same way. As a student I am taught sections of information, yet it isn't until I put them all together that I can see the whole picture...

"As a student, do you believe you can learn a hands on technique online?" This question was asked last week in an online blog I was reading. I can't say that I was surprised to find that the answer from the discussion participants was an overwhelmingly large "NO"! I can, however say, I disagree...

We couldn't let a new year get underway without introducing a new line of products. Our newest offering is Healthy Benefits, an anti-oxidant rich line of massage products. Healthy Benefits, which includes Oil-Free Face Massage Creme, Massage Creme and Massage Gel, are rich in the Pomegranate, Green tea, White Grape and Grapeseed active botanicals...

I for one agree with Lily Tomlin. Sometimes it seems like we're going 75 MPH and still trying to catch up. Instead of accelerating, we need to apply the brakes. After all isn't that what our business is all about? The massage industry has been growing for years because people need a time and place to wind down, relax and ease their tension...