Welcome! I'm Ben. Ben's blog is here to fill you guys in on all the goings on here at 3•6•5; what we do, where we go, and who we meet while we're doing it-including all you lovely people!

I've recently joined the 3•6•5 team and I can't wait to meet you all at all the 3•6•5 events- you probably all know more about them than I do at this point but with your help I'm sure I'll learn fast.

So here it is, Ben's Blog, please join me on my fantastic Journey through the world of 3•6•5 and frankly, it looks like its going to be a lot of fun.


February at 3·6·5

14th February, 2012
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We’ve been powering through the snow here at 3·6·5, Teresa survived a blizzard, Di overcame snow drifts and lakes of ice, Ken endured arctic blasts, and I had to wear an extra jumper.

But make it we did. And a good job we did too! This week we launch our first ever coaches’ webinar, ensuring that all of our 3·6·5 coaches are bang up to date with the improvements to our Business Builders. In fact, we had an office dry run, complete with air traffic control headphones and mics.

It was also time to start warming up those business muscles in preparation for this month’s BB’s, which are happening at the end of February. Once again it’ll be an amazing couple of day's education down at the Crowne Plaza in Marlow with all of the team. I’ll be looking for volunteers to be 3·6·5 celebrities as well, and tell us their success stories!

And, to top it all this week was Teresa’s one year anniversary at 3·6·5, so remember to wish her happy birthday the next time you see her!

Remember, 3·6·5 is always here to help you, so to get in touch, for more info, or to book your place on one of our courses, just call 01296 390 570, or email us at 365@salon-success.co.uk

January BBs in Marlow

25th January, 2012
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We’re back in Aylesbury this week after a great Monday and Tuesday away. What an amazing couple of days!

At BBs our work starts  on Sunday night as we lift and heave boxes from room to room, laying out workbooks, pens, scissors, post-its and everything else needed to make the BBs the exciting and fun experience that we all know and love.

Then it’s early to bed Sunday night, ready for an early start on Monday. Monday morning always rolls around too quickly. Teresa and I are loading up music, focussing projectors and wrestling with laptops before breakfast.

Then its straight into a 3·6·5 coaches meeting, a room full of friendly, smiley, helpful coaches, the perfect way to wake up first thing.

Aftet that there's just time for a quick coffee, and then I'm into BB1. The first part of which was hosted by our own Director of Education here at 3·6·5, Ken West. BB1 has recently been updated with brand new content to ensure it is bang up to date with cutting edge business fashions, new ideas and modern styles.

From where I was sitting (In the middle, toward the back if you were there) it seemed that the changes were all for the better. Ken signed off and passed over to the 3·6·5 Task force, who then ran the show for the rest of the day.

We’ve had loads of comments about how much you guys loved the taskforce, and they were all totally deserved. Walking us through the 3·6·5 concept of 5 Step Hairdressing, including loads of info on reservations, unique selling points, consultations, and ways to add value to your business.

The day even involved dressing up, and no one was safe (including sensible young men who write blogs for 3·6·5) if you want to see all the footage from the day, log onto the 3·6·5 YouTube channel, or look out on the YouTube tab of our Facebook page, and have a look!

That night it was all hands to the bar for the night’s entertainment, provided by our affable “Quizmaster” Ken West. A game of Family Fortunes with all the coaches and delegates, with fabulous prizes!

So following a late night of fantastic entertainment, what’s the perfect way to start the day? Of course! An eight thirty coaches meeting!

Tuesday posed an extra challenge, because of the 3·6·5 shop. Everything a 3·6·5 salon could ever want, from performance trackers to News and Views Books to Hair Plan Pads.

But the challenge came with the display, as everything was displayed on the 3·6·5 Gondola frame, which I was told by Teresa was a cinch to put up, and would take me no longer than a couple of minutes.

It was after an hour of fiddling, with fingers that had been chopped and clamped, that I realized Teresa lied.

But, through grit and determination, I triumphed over the shop display, and everybody was able to buy the tools they required to bring about change in their business.

And then I was able to get back to helping the BBs, whether it was grabbing some sellotape or interviewing some of our members for the camera.

After lunch it was the big moment, the crowning of our 3·6·5 Facebook challenge champion. This month’s lucky winner was Emma Nugent, who was the first person at the BBs to guess that the correct answer was Vidal Sassoon.

Then it was another afternoon of absolutely exceptional education, all of it aimed at growing your business, and achieving your personal goals.

And then we were done! The day was over far too quickly, and all that was left to do was pack everything back into its box and head off home!

What a fantastic couple of days, with amazing people, remember, if you saw me at the BBs, or would just like to get in touch, you can always email me at 365@salon-success.co.uk, or like us on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/365saloneducation. Don’t forget to check the YouTube channel, for all the great video highlights of 365’s fantastic events.

All Set For January BBs!

13th January, 2012
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It’s the last week before those all important BBs in January. The office is humming with activity. These are the first BBs that I’ve seen from start to finish, so it’s a proud moment.

 The printer, naturally, has done everything it can to scupper my efforts, its frozen, jammed, turned off for no reason and at other times simply refused to work. But the 365 team shall overcome this obstacle to bring you the high quality education days you expect and deserve.

 We’ll be bringing the camera down to the BB’s with us again this time, so if you want to be a 365 celebrity, and fancy being interviewed, then let me know! And remember to look out on the official YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/ 365SalonEducation) where we will be posting all of the great videos and stuff from 365.

We’ll also be running our Facebook challenge, so if you’re at the BBs, look out for clues in our status updates over the BB weekend, and the first person to guess the answer wins a fabulous prize!

I can’t wait to see you all there!

Happy New Year!

3rd January, 2012
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It’s a brand new year for 3·6·5! It’s time for the preparations to get seriously underway, because we have big, big plans for the next twelve months. It’s all kicking off on the 16th and 17th of January with the BB’s and Insight, which I’m currently putting together in the office. Following that we have the Febuary BBs and then the Opal Elite Symposium in Brighton, which Teresa is very busy getting the final details sorted out.

And, if that wasn’t enough, we’re also planning and booking our Portfolio courses, which start on the 27th February with Reservations. If you have requests for any Portfolio courses you would like then please let us know. If enough people request it, then we’ll do our best to put it on.

A new year is a fresh, new page to provide a fabulous start. Everyone’s got some great ideas for the New Year, and if you need help with any of your promotions, or new ideas to get your team excited about their work, then get in touch with us at 3·6·5, either though facebook at www.facebook.com/365education, or through email, at 365@salon-success.co.uk, we’d love to hear from you.

Christmas at 3·6·5

8th December, 2011
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“It’s snowing!” Cries Teresa one dark day, and that’s when it hits me: It’s Christmas-or rather- it is very nearly Christmas, which will be my very first Christmas with 3·6·5.


As a way of getting everybody into the festive spirit, we’re sending out a special 3·6·5 Christmas e-card to all of our lovely members, so look out in your inboxes for those. They were designed by our 3·6·5 design team especially for you.


And let me personally wish you a very happy Christmas, remember that you can still get in touch through all the usual channels, either through Facebook, at www.facebook.com/365education, or through email at 365@salon-success.co.uk.

January BBs: The Preparation Starts Now!

8th December, 2011
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It’s Monday morning at the 3·6·5 offices in Aylesbury, and I am greeted by a smiling Ken.

“You’re learning how we set up for the BBs this week,” he said, as he handed over checklists and papers to prepare.

“What you have to remember,” smiled Kevin “is that if you get this bit wrong, we won’t be able to produce such a great experience for the delegates, and the coaches will come after you!”

Thanks Kevin. No pressure.

I’m terrified of forgetting something crucial, so my desk is buried under bits of paper talking about management, people skills, wages and marketing. There are tons of exercises designed to make the 3·6·5 workshops as fun and easy to remember as possible. If only we had exercises for preparing the workshops, then I’d be sorted.

On top of that, this week also saw the release of our brand new BB4 quiz! It’s found on the BB4 section of the website. And, if you haven’t done BB4 yet, don’t worry, you won’t be left out, we’re hoping to bring out a quiz for each BB early in the New Year- so keep your eyes peeled!

And the last bit of big news this week is that Di, Teresa and Ken have been busy sorting out the venue for our Opal Elite Symposium. I haven’t seen it myself yet, but I’ve been assured that it is absolutely exquisite.

So that was our week! Let me close by saying that I can’t wait for the BBs in January, and of course, if you have any views or comments (or suggestions for how I can improve my memory over this BB preparation) then let me know! Either via Facebook, at www.facebook.com/365education, or email me at 365@salon-success.co.uk.

Gatwick Workout

25th November, 2011
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This time I was the first one there. Being my usual confident self, I immediately assumed I was at the wrong hotel.

“Is this the right one?” I ask the taxi driver,
“It’s the one you told me.” He says, before pushing the car into gear and speeding off into London. Not particularly reassuring.

At reception they are much more helpful-

“Can I help you?”
“I’m here with 3•6•5, is anybody here yet?”

“I don’t think so. I’ll go check.”

And then she vanished, out into the back rooms of the hotel, for good. She did not return. I can only assume something terrible must have happened. Eventually, after waiting for perhaps fifteen minutes, I concluded that the receptionist was gone for good, and decided to venture out on my own.

The corridors of the hotel were indistinguishable from one another, the carpet the same all over. I was thoroughly and irretrievably lost and slightly stressed.

And then, imagine my surprise, I round the corner, and there is Ken, fiddling with projector wires.

“Morning.”

It appears my heroic voyage through the catacombs of the hotel were not enough to impress Ken.

But never mind, the show goes on, and we had delegates arriving in an hour to enjoy our Workout. So it was up with the banners, on with the presentation, and a quick cup of coffee before everyone arrived.

And then we were off! The workout was great, with salons brining their whole teams to get a taste of the 3•6•5 way of life. It had a great atmosphere in the room, and everyone had a great time. Ken presented the workout, and the day covered many subjects including how personal attitudes effect performance, how stylist’s can take responsibility for increasing their earnings potential and how systemised customer service leads to increase professional and retail sales. I am surprised –yet again- at just how much there is involved in running a busy, profitable salon.

And -dramatic pause- I even got to have lunch! Dreams do come true!

Back in after lunch, and the afternoon flew by. Then it was time to pack up (more heavy boxes) and head home. What an amazing day.

If you were at the Gatwick workout and remember me holding up signs and blue-tacking things to walls, then get in touch, either though Facebook at www.facebook.com/365Education, or email me directly at benjamint@salon-success.co.uk .We always appreciate any comments or ideas that you might have.

BB's and Beyond

18th November, 2011
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We’re meeting in a hotel in Marlow to kick off my first set of Business Builders. Ken is standing at the front of a colossal room, tables and chairs are being carried around by kind volunteers and hotel staff, in the corner, a mess of wires tangle around a mixing desk, there’s a crash as someone, somewhere, kicks a box over.

“I’m very excited” He says.

The team are all over the first floor of the hotel. Teresa is a mere blur as she hurries from room to room, helping everyone with everything she can. I trail behind, “We’ve got to be ready,” she tells me; “You can never be too sure about making sure.”

I can personally assure you that there were a lot of heavy boxes that needed moving.

The rooms nicely decorated and fully stocked with pens and workbooks, we head down to meet the delegates attending their first 3•6•5 course, Insight. The evening is spent eating lovely food and talking to very friendly, pleasant people.

It’s a hard life.

I’m called over to one of the tables at one point- “Are you Ben from the blog?” somebody asks me. “Yes,” I reply, struggling to contain my growing sense of celebrity.

“Would you like us to comment on it and talk to you?”

“Absolutely!” I beam, and offer my most winning smile. So, readers, let me assure you that comments and feedback are positively encouraged.

The next day it really begins.

It’s my first coaches’ meeting, my first Insight course and my first night of 3•6•5 entertainment. It was a scary day.

I learned there’s nothing quite like a 3•6•5 coaches’ meeting to banish those early morning cobwebs. The coaches clearly loved what they did, and, even at the crack of dawn on a Monday morning, I couldn’t help but be swept along by it a little.

Over the weekend we ran the 3•6•5 facebook challenge, a series of clues put out through facebook, with a secret answer. The prize? A bottle of champagne donated by the 3•6•5 team. So following the team meeting it was straight out into the lobby to grab a coffee and send out the first clue of the day before dashing over to sit in on the Insight course.

Insight is an amazing course, and the delegates I shared my day with were amazing, open friendly, and keen to help each other to make the most of the 3•6•5 education.

And then came lunch. I was told that lunch at the hotels restaurant was great, with sublime food, lovely service and great surroundings. Unfortunately I never had a chance to sample these delights, as for both days I spent my lunch breaks holed up in the coldest room of the hotel setting up cameras and filming interviews.

Not that I’m bitter.

Then there was the rush back to Insight, and an afternoon spent with the Insight delegates.

Following that it was straight to the bar to set up Monday nights entertainment extravaganza, with a Christmas quiz, a treasure hunt through the bar and a game of bingo to finish it all off. We’re nothing if not diverse.

The next day it was my turn in BB1, filming it to be used in later videos. It’s a great course, and filming it was a pleasure, but the interviews that we tried to record during the lunch hour were not so easy. Microphones went wrong, cameras malfunctioned, the background set fell apart and lens caps were left on. It was a trial of herculean proportions that was only achieved with superhuman force of will from our technician and director Graeme. Thanks to him, we finished the hour with three recorded interviews with the new members, just starting out on their 3•6•5 journey with BB1.

The start of the afternoon was my big moment. Who had won the facebook challenge? The whole of the BB’s were on the edge of their seat in anticipation. It was my first chance to be in the spotlight, it was my duty to deliver the winner her prize.

I strode in, full of confidence and bluster to deliver a perfect speech, only to be told when I dramatically revealed the winner that she was still outside, queuing up at the 3•6•5 shop.

I guess I should have stuck to the web stuff.

And that was it! The afternoon flew by and soon I was staggering around under the weight of heavy boxes again as we stripped the rooms and “broke down the set” so that we could do it all over again. A final team meeting and one last quick interview and it was the end of two fantastic days - until the next time.

If you did see me at the BB’s, let me know! You can talk to us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/365Education, we’ve just added some great new photos to the page that we’d love your feedback on.

And look out for me at the next BB’s in January, if you haven’t met me yet, I’ll be the spekky looking guy in a waistcoat, see you then!

Business Builders In Marlow!

11th November, 2011
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It's almost time for my first BB course in Marlow! 



It’s been a hectic couple of days here, getting ready for our Business Builders in Marlow on Monday and Tuesday.

We’ve got it together now, and this week will be my first real trip with the 3•6•5 team: I don’t know what I’ve let myself in for!

We’ll be hoping to film a whole bunch of stuff from the BB’s, so if you see me around, and you’d like to give an interview about 3•6•5, or just have a chat, and meet the man behind the blog, just come over and say hello.

I’ll keep you all updated on the events right here on the blog, hopefully there will be new photos and videos as well.

I can’t wait to meet you all, roll on Marlow!

A Website Reborn!

7th November, 2011
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So, as you may have heard, this week was all about digital. Our new website launched, along with our new shop, new calendar and new salon locater. It’s all very exciting.

My contribution? Well have a look at those product descriptions over on the shop page. Pretty snazzy eh? And the blog of course.

Putting the website together was our great I.T and website developer Harry, without whom we’d never get this outstanding piece of digital kit out to you all! Also, many thanks to the design team who, I’m sure you’ll agree did a fantastic job of making the website look amazing.

So here it is! Have a click around, check out all the new exciting things we do now, and let us know what you think, either by email, or over Facebook, we’d love to hear your views! And I also recommend you keep half an eye on YouTube in the next couple of weeks, as 3·6·5 launches its own channel, filled with videos shot from the Business Builders, Insight, and other 3·6·5 events.

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