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  • August 2012
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ARISE: A Destination-for-a-Day Spa

By: Michael Beer and Lynda St. Clair
  • Format:Print
  • | Language:English
  • | Pages:15
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Abstract

A new Dallas-based health and beauty spa aims to use a highly distinctive human resource system as the foundation of its competitive strategy. By encouraging employees to act as "personal wellness coaches" (PWCs) with high commitment and broad responsibilities, the leadership intended to provide a level of client service that would justify premium rates. However, the system is not working. Issues include: tips are lower than expected, reducing expected compensation; scheduling issues create bottlenecks; and the level of commitment varies among PWCs. The result is a high employee turnover rate, and departing employees take an average of 35% of their client base with them when they go. Now, with financials for the spa's second year completed, the VP of spa operations, the VP of business operations, and the CEO must evaluate what is and what isn't working.

Keywords

Compensation and Benefits; Motivation and Incentives; Organizational Design; Organizational Culture; Service Delivery; Competitive Strategy; Innovation Strategy; Health Industry; Entertainment and Recreation Industry; Service Industry; Texas

Citation

Beer, Michael, and Lynda St. Clair. "ARISE: A Destination-for-a-Day Spa." Harvard Business School Brief Case 913-521, August 2012.
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About The Author

Michael Beer

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Related Work

    • August 2012
    • Faculty Research

    ARISE: A Destination-for-a-Day Spa (Brief Case)

    By: Michael Beer and Lynda St. Clair
Related Work
  • ARISE: A Destination-for-a-Day Spa (Brief Case) By: Michael Beer and Lynda St. Clair
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