Module 8 · Tech & Tools

Software & Tools — Zenoti 101

Master PALOMA's tech stack. Learn how to navigate Zenoti for booking and guest management, Sling for scheduling and communication, Gusto for payroll, and access to branded social platforms.

⏱ ~25 min to complete 📱 4 tech tools covered

PALOMA's Tech Stack Overview

You'll use four key platforms daily. Each serves a specific purpose in keeping PALOMA organized, connected, and running smoothly. Here's a quick overview of all four:

Zenoti

Booking & appointment management system for scheduling guest services, viewing job cards, and processing payments.

Download App

Sling

Schedule access, clock in/out, time off requests, announcements, and team communication hub.

Download App

Gusto

Payroll, W-2s, insurance information, and past pay stubs. Your all-in-one benefits portal.

Download App

Social

Access PALOMA's Instagram & LinkedIn for branded content, announcements, and event promotions.

Web Access

Key Point: All four tools are essential to your daily work. Familiarize yourself with each one and download the mobile apps where available for easy access throughout your shift.

Part 1
Sling
Scheduling, shift communication, and your daily hub

Sling — Your Daily Hub

Sling is PALOMA's central nervous system for scheduling and team communication. It's where you manage your schedule, clock in and out, request time off, and stay connected with the team.

Your 30-day schedule is visible in Sling. You can:

  • View your scheduled shifts for the next month
  • Pick up open shifts posted by management
  • Trade shifts with another associate (requires manager notification)
  • See real-time updates to the schedule

Pro Tip: Check your schedule regularly — shifts can change, and open shifts for extra hours are posted frequently.

You must clock in and out for EVERY shift and EVERY break. This is critical for accurate payroll and time tracking.

  • Clock in when you arrive, before your first appointment
  • Clock out for break (Sling will auto-adjust if you forget — unless you add a note)
  • Clock back in after break
  • Clock out when your shift ends

If you miss a clock in/out:

  • Add a note on your scheduled shift in Sling the same day
  • Notify your manager immediately
  • Include the time you should have clocked in/out and reason

Missing clock entries without a note will require manager follow-up and may affect your paycheck.

Planned Time Off: Submit requests via Sling at least 4 weeks in advance. Include your reason and the dates you need off.

  • Requests are reviewed by management
  • You'll receive confirmation within 48 hours
  • Check Module 6 for blackout dates when time off is rarely approved

Unplanned Call-Offs: If you need to call out, you must notify ALL management via text at least 4 hours before your shift starts.

  • Don't rely on messaging through Sling alone
  • Direct text to your manager is required
  • Repeated late call-offs may affect scheduling

Think of Sling's message board as your team chatroom. It's where we stay connected, share announcements, and collaborate.

  • Company Announcements: Important updates about events, policies, or closures
  • Department-Specific Content: Therapists, guides, and specialists have their own channels
  • 1-on-1 Chats: Private messages with managers and teammates
  • Celebration Posts: Birthdays, work anniversaries, and team wins

Turn on notifications so you don't miss important messages. Check Sling daily, especially before your shift starts.

Sling First Steps — Complete These Now

  • Download the Sling app on your phone
  • Update your profile with a professional photo
  • Add the month and year you started at PALOMA to your profile
  • Turn on push notifications so you never miss an announcement
  • Send a short bio and photo to management so they can post you on the PALOMA Newsfeed page
Part 2
Zenoti
Booking, guest management, and point of sale

Zenoti — Booking & Guest Management

Zenoti is PALOMA's booking and appointment management system. It's where guests schedule services, and where you manage appointments, read guest profiles, process payments, and maintain detailed service records.

Before diving into Zenoti, set yourself up for success:

  • Download the Zenoti app on your phone for quick access during your shift
  • Log in with your PALOMA credentials (provided by management)
  • Familiarize yourself with the main dashboard — this is your home base
  • Watch the Zenoti training videos provided by your manager

Videos to Watch: Get Started: Front Desk Operations, Zenoti Basic: Daily Operations, Get Started: Group Appointments, and Get Started: Invoice & Cash Management are all available through Zenoti's learning center.

The appointment book shows all scheduled services. Here's how to read it:

  • Appointment Type & Color: Each service type has a distinct color (massage, facial, sauna, etc.). Icons show service specialty.
  • Green Bars: Indicate a loyal guest — high priority to protect during call-offs. These repeat clients are the backbone of our business.
  • Pink Bars: Indicate certain guest status markers (gift card balance, membership, etc.)
  • Icons: Show group appointments, specialty add-ons, or enhancements

How to View a Job Card: Right-click the appointment → Print → Cancel out of printing → You can now view the job card on screen. The job card shows all guest preferences, notes, and service details.

A guest's profile contains valuable information about their history and preferences:

  • Appointment History: All past and future appointments with PALOMA
  • Product Purchase History: Retail purchases to inform upselling and gifting
  • Appointment Notes: Therapist notes from prior services (preferences, pressure, modalities)
  • Profile Pop-Up Notes: Red flags, allergies, or important requests visible at a glance
  • Transition Services: Flag if a guest is receiving multiple treatments back-to-back (may need robe/bag provided)

Group Appointments: Look for the group icon — these require coordination and may have special notes about setup or group preferences.

The check-in and check-out process ensures all formalities are complete and payment is processed:

  • Check-In Process: Confirm guest has completed intake forms, answer any questions, verify spelling of name and phone number
  • Once Forms Complete: Click "Check In" in Zenoti when guest is ready to go to treatment room
  • Check-Out Process: After service, process payment (cash, card, gift card, or package)
  • Collect Tips & Gratuities: Ask about tip preference (add to card or separate), and log cash tips
  • Confirm Rebook: Ask if guest would like to book their next appointment before they leave

Never rush this process — it's the final touchpoint and directly impacts guest satisfaction and retention.

Intake forms are required for certain services and protect both guest and therapist:

  • Which Services Need Forms: Massage, facials, body treatments, infrared sauna, lymphatic services — check the appointment in Zenoti
  • How to Identify: Look for the form icon on the appointment
  • Communicating with Guests: Greet guests and say, "We have a quick online form for you to complete before your service. It helps our therapist understand your needs and any health considerations."
  • Incomplete Forms: If a form isn't complete, ask the guest to finish it before check-in. Gently say, "We just need you to answer a couple more questions to make sure our therapist can give you the best service."

If a guest shares any concerns or complaints, document them in Zenoti immediately:

  • How to Log: Go to guest profile → Add note with date and specifics of issue
  • What to Document: Guest's exact words, your response, and any resolution offered
  • Examples: Therapist was late, pressure was too deep, room was cold, guest dissatisfied with results
  • Management Follow-Up: Management reviews these notes and follows up with guests and staff

Script: "Thank you for letting me know. Your feedback helps us improve. I'm going to note this and make sure our manager follows up with you."

Discounts and fee waivers have clear boundaries. Only managers can approve discounts on invoices.

What Experience Guides CAN Do (In Bounds):

  • Note guest feedback in appointment (so therapist can address next time)
  • Offer mindful moment gifts (small crystals from the kit)
  • Offer beverages (kombucha, champagne, CBD gummies)
  • Offer a free infrared sauna session
  • Prorate first lymphatic package visit if guest returns and purchases package

What You CANNOT Do (Out of Bounds):

  • Waive late cancellation or no-show fees
  • Discount services on invoice
  • Give retail products as compensation
  • Move an appointment without manager approval

If Guest Pushes Back on Late Cancellation Fee:

"I do not have the authorization to waive this fee. This policy is in place to support our Therapists for their missed time and wages. I am happy to pass your information to my Manager, and they can follow up with you about reversing the charge."

Zenoti Mastery: The appointment book, guest profiles, and payment processing are your daily tools. Spend time getting comfortable with navigation — the better you know Zenoti, the smoother your shifts will be.

Zenoti Mastery Checklist

Use this checklist to track your comfort level with every Zenoti feature. Rate each topic from Low → High using the dots, and check it off once you feel confident. Your progress saves automatically.

📺 Required Training Videos — Watch These First

  • Get Started: Front Desk Operations (65 mins)
  • Zenoti Basic: Daily Operations (50 mins)
  • Get Started: Group Appointments (15 mins)
  • Get Started: Invoice and Cash Management
  • Get Started: Sell and Manage Gift Cards (25 mins)
  • Get Started: Sell and Manage Packages (15 mins)
  • Get Started: Sell and Manage Retail (15 mins)
  • Get Started: Store Credit and Deposits (15 mins)
  • Mobile: Front Desk Operations (60 mins)
  • Enhance Communication with ezConnect (50 mins)

0 of 0 topics completed

Part 1 — Appointment Booking Screen Overview

TopicComfort LevelDone
How to read an appointment screen LOW HIGH
View appointment books (for guests without form completion) LOW HIGH
Breaks & room assignments LOW HIGH
Customer requests — male/female preferred, specific therapist, notes LOW HIGH
Identify guest with more than one appointment booked (Show Services) LOW HIGH
Appointment job card & how to view it LOW HIGH
How to view the Zenoti waitlist LOW HIGH
View therapist schedule by week or month LOW HIGH

Part 2 — Appointment Book Application (Experience Guides)

TopicComfort LevelDone
Booking & rebooking appointments (appointment book & appointment wizard) LOW HIGH
How to add clients to the waitlist LOW HIGH
Booking a pre-set journey LOW HIGH
Booking from the waitlist LOW HIGH
Booking a surprise appointment (guest booking for a friend) LOW HIGH
Appointment holds — how to set, format notes, delete after 24 hours LOW HIGH
Modify an appointment to a different guest / book under enrolled class guest LOW HIGH

How-To: Appointment Screen

TaskComfort LevelDone
Cancel appointmentLOWHIGH
Resend formsLOWHIGH
Rebook specific therapistLOWHIGH
Confirming guests & sending 24-hour textsLOWHIGH
Adding to existing appointments & merging profilesLOWHIGH
Class enrollment & texts from estheticiansLOWHIGH
Identify guest with more than 1 service / identify group or private event bookingsLOWHIGH
Merge/detach guests from group & payment information in note sectionLOWHIGH
Locate a gift card balanceLOWHIGH
Locate open invoice & locate cancelled appointmentsLOWHIGH

How-To: POS Screen

TaskComfort LevelDone
POS screen: tip %, sale by gift cardLOWHIGH
RefundLOWHIGH
Late cancel or no-show — apply note in checkout, provide reasoning if fee waivedLOWHIGH
Add exchange & add a la carte add-ons from POS screenLOWHIGH
Applying a package & product purchase commissionsLOWHIGH
Split tips and allocate to proper therapistLOWHIGH
Group invoice navigationLOWHIGH
Cash tips — adding them to payment for tracking & zip code requiredLOWHIGH

Part 3 — Guest Profile Navigation

TopicComfort LevelDone
Appointment & product historyLOWHIGH
Review & add notes/alertsLOWHIGH
FormsLOWHIGH
Gift cards — received as gifts vs. purchased for someone elseLOWHIGH
Review of repeat late cancel offendersLOWHIGH
Merging guestsLOWHIGH
Sharing cards with family membersLOWHIGH
Surprises & turning off profile notifications (sent to Sling chats)LOWHIGH

Part 4 — Zenoti Support Features

TopicComfort LevelDone
Zenoti troubleshootingLOWHIGH
Chat feature supportLOWHIGH
Email supportLOWHIGH
Phone supportLOWHIGH
Part 3
Gusto
Payroll, benefits, and HR self-service

Gusto — Payroll & Benefits

Gusto is your all-in-one portal for payroll information, pay stubs, W-2s, insurance, and benefits information.

Download the Gusto app so you can access your information anytime.

Key Features

  • Past Pay Stubs: View all previous paychecks under the "More" tab
  • W-2s: Your annual tax forms are available digitally on Gusto (no paper needed)
  • Pay Cycle: Saturday–Friday; payday is every other Friday
  • Credit Card Gratuities: Tips from credit card payments are automatically added to your paycheck
  • Cash Gratuities: Pick up cash tips at the front desk at the end of your shift, log the amount, and initial it
  • Insurance Benefits: View medical, dental, and vision plan details; see what PALOMA contributes
  • Tax Documents: Access all tax-related documents in one secure location

Paycheck Day Checklist

  • Check that you were paid correctly (compare to hours worked)
  • If there's a discrepancy, alert management immediately
  • Review your gross pay, deductions, and net amount
  • If you have questions about payroll, message your manager in Sling
Part 4
Social & Brand Platforms
How PALOMA shows up online — and your role in it

Social — Brand Platforms

PALOMA's Instagram and LinkedIn are our branded storytelling platforms. These are where we share our mission, announce events, highlight team members, and engage with the community.

You have access to PALOMA's social accounts for viewing branded content, submitting ideas, and being featured on our platforms.

What You Can Do

  • View and share PALOMA content from Instagram and LinkedIn
  • Submit content ideas for announcements or highlights
  • Request to be featured (photos, testimonials, or stories)
  • Tag PALOMA in your personal posts if you're sharing your PALOMA experience (with permission)
  • Access private event announcements and gift requests

Important Guidelines

  • Never post on PALOMA's behalf without manager approval
  • Always represent the brand authentically and professionally
  • Don't share confidential information or guest details
  • If you want to be featured or have content ideas, reach out to management
  • Use PALOMA's hashtags only when sharing official content

Quick-Reference Tech Cheat Sheet

Keep this handy as you navigate PALOMA's tech stack:

Tool Download? Primary Use Clock In/Out?
Zenoti Yes (App) Booking, appointments, guest profiles, intake forms, POS, payment processing No
Sling Yes (App) Schedule, clock in/out, time off, announcements, messaging, shift trading YES
Gusto Yes (App) Pay stubs, W-2s, insurance, benefits, tax documents No
Social No (Web) Announcements, events, content, brand storytelling, team highlights No

Key Takeaways

Before you move on, make sure you can answer:

  • What is Sling used for, and why is clocking in/out important?
  • How do you identify a loyal guest in Zenoti's appointment book?
  • What does it mean to "right-click an appointment and print" to view a job card?
  • What are in-bounds actions you can take as an Experience Guide when a guest is unhappy?
  • Where do you find your past pay stubs on Gusto?
  • What should you do if you miss a clock in/out in Sling?
  • How far in advance must you request planned time off?
  • What is the difference between in-bounds and out-of-bounds discount actions?

Up Next: Module 9 is your Knowledge Check — a comprehensive quiz covering all 8 modules. Review any sections you're unsure about, then test your knowledge!