Ellen McKenzie
Ellen McKenzie has big aspirations for herself, the industry in which she works and students of her courses - and she believes education is the path to achieve them.
A favourite quote she lives by is “We judge ourselves by our intentions. People judge us by our actions”.
Ellen believes it is not enough to have good intentions; you have to act on them.
“Good intentions don’t get you far. Delivery is what will make the difference,” Ellen said.
An initiative Ellen introduced to Chisholm Mornington Peninsula was training games and role playing with the students taking them out of their comfort zones. The interaction is designed to make the classes more fun as well as prepare the students for different situations in the workforce.
As the hair and beauty industry attracts people from all different life stages and personalities, it is important for students to help open and broaden their minds and to deal with everyone in a professional manner.
The way Ellen addresses this is by exposing the students to as many different types of individuals as possible.
“When we do some of these games and role plays we see how different people can think and react to a given situation which brings home just how important it is to be able to communicate with people who are different than ourselves,” Ellen said.
Ellen also believes it is important for her students to understand the realities and imperatives of working in the beauty industry. Without that understanding no matter how good they are, they won’t succeed.
“I am talking about things like cash flow, pricing structures, how best to display products to maximise customer propensity for purchase, promotional offers, logos and signage,” Ellen said.
According to Ellen she wants to lift the industry’s standards and says she can contribute by inspiring students to be the best at what they do.
Her goal is for industry to come to Chisholm when they are looking for people to employ because she sets high standards and turns out the best and most exceptional students.
Ellen has strong industry contacts and networks which she keeps current through her own business, as well as keeps up to date on the latest industry development and trends through her memberships of industry associations and by attending expos and seminars.
“This means I also can keep my skills up to industry standards and see what my students should be doing.
“It’s all part and parcel of putting into practice good intentions,” Ellen said.
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