Record the correct details. This means where, what, when, who and most importantly, write it down.

Let the customer know. Confirm appointments and send reminders. No-shows are often the biggest cause of lost revenue and wasted time in services businesses. If your customers can receive email and text messages, you can remind them of their appointments.

Let you staff know. Provide written schedules for you staff of what they are doing when and who with. You are paying for their time so make sure they know how you want them to use it.

Offer alternative appointments. If a customer cannot book an appointment when or with who they want, make sure you have a way to quickly offer an alternative. You will have gaps in your schedules, so make sure you know where they are and fill them.

Cope with staff absences. Every business has staff absences so make sure your customers do not suffer. If a member of staff is absent contact the customers who have appointments booked with that person and offer alternatives.

Repeat appointments. Many customers come back time and time again for repeat appointments so make sure that you book these in advance. Schedule the appointments for your customer so they get the right services when they want them.

Record add-on products and services. If you have additional products or services that you provide to your customer make sure that you know exactly what your customers want in advance so that you don't disappoint them and even worse lose sales through being out of stock.

Computerise it. Software products that mange your appointments will automate most of your appointment management tasks and create a customer database for you. They are quick and simple to use for very little outlay.

Use direct marketing to fill gaps. If you know which customers take each services you should be able to send them special offers for these services when you have capacity.

Time is money. In service marketing you are selling time. Every hour that a member of staff is not working for a customer is an hour of cost and money out of your pocket. Manage your minutes and the money will look after itself.