Over the Top: Best Client Practices of Top 20 Stylists

Finally, the book that was five years in the making!

Questions for Michael Cole on the occasion of the release of “Over the Top.”

1. Your first two books are “A Little Off the Top” and “A Little More Off the Top.” What inspired you to make the third edition— “Over the Top”?

The inspiration came after we realized how the second edition was received in schools. They loved it but struggled with the fact that it was more of a story than a text. So we wanted to do a textbook version – an untraditional textbook version -  that would live beyond the story of Michael Cole.

2. What’s your overall vision for “Over the Top?”

We’re calling it “the bible of personal and professional development for hairdressers.” The acknowledgement page of OTT reads: “We value Stylists and believe they are not problems to be solved but potential to be developed. The sole purpose of this book is to help stylists to discover and reveal that potential.” We were also especially educator-sensitive: our intention was for it to be both the best friend of the student and even more importantly, the best friend of the educator. The book will be not only a curriculum for faculty and students but also a culture-builder.

3. How is “Over the Top” different from the previous two editions?

In our new approach, we introduce the lesson at the beginning of each chapter by asking a question and providing an illustration. Unlike the second version, the book carries the load for the educator; everything they need to teach is in this book. It’s an “out of the box” text book/workbook that is highly interactive. In the 250+ pages of the book, there are never more than three paragraphs before a pause for an action plan or discussion. Most importantly, OTT was created for visual learners. Every page has color illustrations to support the reading. The strong graphic elements emphasize key points, and provide cues for important facts.

4. How does “Over The Top” support the work you’re doing in Step Up! Fast Track to Wealth?

Our hope is that “Over The Top” will become a movement that’ll be every bit—and more—than Step Up is. Unlike Step Up, OTT doesn’t require a seminar site. It can be brought straight to the salon. We wanted to create something flexible enough so that you don’t need Step Up to benefit from OTT. However, a salon can use OTT as an on-ramp to Step Up, or vice-versa – there is no “either/ or.” And when stylists are armed with both Step Up and OTT, there’s an exponential impact… Boom Goes The Dynamite!

5. Will there be any special events, seminars, or training relating to the publication and implementation of “Over the Top?”

Indeed! We’re already doing “Over the Top” educator trainings for Redken Schools to provide them with a better curriculum to teach the students. Our intention is to host Skype and gotomeeting.com webinar sessions on a regular basis as well. We also aim to build an army of OTT salon trainers to facilitate support groups and discussion meetings in salons. God Speed to our Purpose Vision and Intentions for “Over the Top” becoming a reality.

6. When and where can I buy my copy?

Visit our “Let’s Go Shopping” section to order right now!