A few weeks ago we touched on the subject of the importance of proactive employer involvement in supporting staff health and wellbeing during what was then Word Mental Health Day.  This weeks events detailing the sad and early death of footballer and Wales manager Gary Speed have brought mental health into sharp focus and again highlight the issues surrounding the vital importance of discussing mental health and wellbeing.

The media has historically shied away from discussing sensitive mental health issues in an open, honest and public forum but has this week joined many of the supporters in talking openly about the death of Gary Speed.  Social media has helped create an expanded online community of friends, acquaintances and sympathetic well wishers sharing experience and feelings. A conversation has begun and it now time for us all to start talking.

This may seem an unusual topic on what is a sauna spa feed but the team here at Klafs is not your usual team. Wellness is very much at the heart of what we do, not just for our clients but for our staff too.  We are a team and we take care of each of other.  Honesty, integrity and support is at the very heart of what we do in the office and outside of it. Employers have a responsibility to encourage open dialogue and to offer support networks through the sharing of information.  Why should you take the lead too?

Here are some quick and rather stark facts:

• 1 in 4 people in the UK will experience mental health issues during their lifetime
• Depression and Anxiety related disorders are the most commonly diagnosed
• 10% of the UK population will be experiencing depression at any one time
• 4000 people every year in England and Wales will take their own life
• 75% taking their own life will be men
• In Men under 35, Suicide is the second most common cause of death in England and Wales

So, in context even if you are a small team of only 4 individuals, it is statistically likely that one of you will, at some point, experience mental health issues at some time. But, if you are a large company employing 100’s of individuals, it is highly likely that there will already be a number of individuals experiencing mental health issues of some kind. Conversation leads to action and action ultimately helps to safeguard the health and wellbeing of each of us individually.

This time of year is particulaly busy for Mental Health Charities and Support networks who are in need of volunteers and donations to help keep vital services in place so if you can offer time or money, do it this year and help support the work these amazing organisations continue to do.

Our personal support goes to CALM which originated here in Liverpool but there are many other organisations which need funds and time including MIND, Samaritans and HOPElineUK.

Start a conversation today, support your team and support the bigger picture.

2011 is drawing to a rapid close and although November is barely at an end, Christmas is indeed just around the corner which means that our lovely hardworking team here at Klafs HQ will be taking a well earned rest to relax and indulge in the festivities.

This year, the office will close on Friday 23rd December and will reopen again first thing on Tuesday 3rd January 2012.  We will be offering our usual levels of technical support and will continue to process spare parts orders up to and including Friday 23rd December.

If you require technical support during the Christmas period, please call your Klafs Engineer directly.  Calls and messages to the office will be picked up on our return on Tuesday 3rd January.

To help you avoid unnecessary difficulties during the festive break, here are some quick tips to keep things running smoothly:

• If you haven’t already done so, ensure your equipment has had its regular service before the busy December period begins.
• Check stock levels for key spare parts such as replacement bulbs, steam generator filters and seals. Re-order early to allow for any delays.
• Order extra essences to keep up with demand.
• Check door seals and hinges, tighten or replace as necessary.

Don’t forget, that spare parts and accessories can be ordered until Friday 23rd December.

2011 has been a great year for the Klafs team and we would like to extend our warm thanks to all of you who have helped to make it such a pleasurable, productive and successful year.

The business markets across Europe are seeing times of great uncertainty with rapidly shifting economic challenges but amid the current daily reports of doom and gloom are some interesting and enlightening stories highlighting those ahead-of-the game businesses who are utilising this challenging climate to harness new and re-appropriated methods to support continued consumer engagement.

Take Ebay for example who recently announced their plans for a 5 day pop-up shop this Christmas in Londons Soho district beginning December 1st 2011. A seemingly backward step some may say when the growth in online retailing has been sounding the death knell for the high-street store, but actually not so.  Ebay has cleverly woven the old with new, albeit in a temporary fashion, to create a physical virtual store where goods can be seen but not taken home (they are delivered to your door) and where payment is made through your mobile not via the till.  They are bringing a virtual online experience into the reality of the high-street in a way which engages the user, creates a new and different experience yet continues to stick firmly their core business offering. They are delivering exactly the same service but bringing it to the consumer in a different way.

Technology has long been a driving force enabling smarter, leaner ways of working whilst improving user engagement through enhanced customer experience. Now, mobile technology combined with affordable, value-added apps is leading the way in changing buying habits and business to user engagement (and not just for the temporary Ebay store). Businesses across many sectors are finding new and innovative ways to apply and indeed develop technology to suit their needs.

Mobile Technology has evolved to form a vital missing link joining people directly to products, services and information wherever they are and whatever they are doing which could mean great news for your spa operations and activities. This year, we have already touched on a couple of influential reports highlighting the key trends for the coming year with luxury for less, authenticity, value added services and user engagement coming top of the wants and needs list. Take into account ComScores statistics on mobile user behaviour in Europe and we begin to see that the mobile market should not be ignored when web browsing, retail activities and social media engagement are high priorities for mobile users.

The ability to engage clients and potential clients through mobile technology creates an endless array of possibilities for the spa business operator enabling multi channel marketing and service provision to a single device.  Email, diary, sms and web browsing capabilities can be paired with scanning and payment technologies or interactive apps to create a cohesive and easily synchronised personal device allowing incoming data to be viewed, shared and actioned or scheduled immediately.

If your marketing activities have not expanded to incorporate products and services which are mobile compatible, you may just be missing out a new and engaged marketplace which could enable a highly tailored service to your users and clients.

The annual World Travel Market event has just wrapped up in London following a seemingly successful and informative three days. Attended by an estimated 48,000 industry leading individuals, groups and decision makers this event provides a convergence point for international delegates enabling a conducive and cohesive networking environment for the international travel industry community as a whole.

An important and key component of the event was the presentation and discussion of the research findings detailed within the World Travel Market 2011 Industry Report. The report pulls together findings from two survey sources covering perspectives from both travel industry insiders and international holiday makers and although neither were large studies, the target audience offered a broad reaching distillation of the wider market fluctuations. Here are some of the key findings and considerations for 2012:

• Of those surveyed, findings indicate that 38% of UK consumers did not take a holiday in 2011 (defined as 7 nights spent away from home staying in the UK or travelling overseas)
• Those choosing to holiday, in the majority, did so only only once (59%).
• All-inclusive packages increased in popularity as too did the “Staycation”, enabling a tighter grip on budgets and spending.
• The increase to Air Passenger Duty was a major concern to 26% of holidaymakers questioned with 31% stating they would travel less often.
• London 2012 is expected to give rise to increased inbound tourism. 86% of industry leaders believe that London will see positive benefits whilst 84% believe that the Games will positively impact the whole of the UK.
• Only 8% of UK holidaymakers surveyed will look to incorporate The 2012 Games into their holidays. However, 60% thought that the Games would have a positive impact on London Tourism whilst 56% believed that it provides a positive marketing opportunity for the UK as a whole.

A second and important offering came via Euromonitor in the form of the Global Trends Report and delivered interesting insights on the shifting international travel activities and what that means for the global travel industry as a whole.

• The key finding for the UK was the ‘Rent My Garden Trend’ highlighting the increasing growth in alternative accommodation for the would be traveller on a budget. The prediction is that this will increase through 2012 as hotels continue to increase prices in line with demand (already seen to be 5 times higher than usual in some facilities).
• The wider European Market as a whole is seeing a shift towards ethical luxury, sustainability and responsible tourism practices.

So what does this mean and how will the shifts in travel activities affect the UK Spa market? The good news for UK Spa operators is that UK consumers are choosing to stay in the UK, are taking shorter breaks or opting for a day of activities. They are seeking a more luxury based, value added experience wrapped in an all-inclusive package.

The SpaFinders Global Spa Trends report released earlier this year demonstrates shifting consumer habits, predicting the increasing demand for quality, authenticity, social engagement and a great deal and highlighting these as possible key strategic indicators useful in assessing and addressing requirements for attracting and retaining would be spa goers here in the UK.

2012 will undoubtedly see an increase in inbound tourism to London and the wider UK as a whole as well as the displacement of UK residing ‘staycationers’ seeking submersion in the Games or refuge from a full to capacity city environment. This offers a rare opportunity for UK spa operators to develop and deliver services that support and nurture a longer term staycation ethos.

This weekend marked the official end of British Summer Time and so begins the gentle decline into cooler, darker days through Autumn and into Winter, signalling the need to head indoors for warmer environments during those earlier darker evenings. This time of year is the start of what becomes a noticeably busier period for the commercial spa environment with far higher visitor numbers reported and who stay for more extended periods of time so preparation is key in ensuring continued operation throughout the colder, busier months.

Predictive and preventative maintenance procedures can work hand in hand to assess, monitor and address any issues which could lead to breakdown or failure if left unattended and for most spa operators this is a key consideration throughout the year. To keep your Klafs equipment running smoothly, here’s a quick rundown of those things to consider when planning for winter ready spa checks and maintenance:

Look at things from a different perspective

If you get the opportunity out of normal operational hours, take time out to use the spa equipment in exactly the way a spa goer would, using an objective eye to assess areas for maintenance.

• Check doors to establish if they open smoothly, that the hinges are properly tightened and that the rubber seals, where fitted, work correctly.
• Assess whether the lighting systems operate fully and if any of the bulbs require replacement.
• Sit on the benches within each cabin to feel where maintenance or repair may be needed.
• Think about the environment and the actual feel within the cabin checking temperature and humidity on each bench tier to assess the need for replacement sauna rocks or steam generator maintenance.
• If essences are used take notice of the strength of fragrance and response it prompts noting the need for alteration or changes in frequency, quantity or fragrance change requirements.

Take stock, be prepared

The busier colder months requires longer operational periods and increased wear and tear so ensuring replacement parts and sundries are on-site and available will mean any unexpected occurrences can be dealt with quickly and efficiently.

• Servicing your Klafs equipment now will keep things operating well and creates an opportunity to check the stock you already have on site and re-order any spare parts for use during or after the busy winter period.
• Keep at least one complete set of replacement bulbs on site at any one time to ensure cabins are fully lit at all times.
• The requirement for Essence increases and so too generally does the need for more herbal based, head and nose clearing fragrances such as peppermint and eucalyptus. Order ahead to maintain stock levels as demand and use increases.

Our team offers servicing, support, technical advice and spare part provision to help you assess and address the particular maintenance requirement of your spa environment. Call our technical team today on +44 (0)845 833 6381 and we will be happy to help you get things on track for the winter months.