Text Messaging as a source of communication

Alright, Gen Y experts, tell me if I am barking up the wrong tree on this one...

I want to use text messaging to communicate to staff and managers about upcoming promotions, thank yous, menu item refreshers, contest announcements, employee recognition, etc.

Tell me what you think the pros and cons are of this delivery method.

If you agree are there any easy ways to pull this off? Collecting numbers, services that can manage this monster, etc.

Any info anyone has about this would be appreciated. I know some Universities are using it as a means of communicating to the student body in case of emergency. Must be a way to use it in a positive way too!

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Steve Totillo on March 15, 2008 at 10:30pm

Con - It becomes ok to carry and look at your cell phone while you are working

Pro - It is progressive thinking and could help bridge the gap between corporate level management and hourly employees.

Permalink Reply by Amanda Vroom on March 17, 2008 at 10:49am

Ouch..we are working so hard to keep cell phones out of our associates hands while on the clock. By allowing text messaging it definintely sends a message...'it's okay to use your cell phone for whatever'. I would definitely caution you on this one. Guests really don't like their server on their phone instead of at their table.

I applaud your openess to finding new ways to communicate! Maybe a more streamlined approach that keeps up communication without interfering with the shift would be to use a Face Book or MySpace account to reach the masses in a way that keeps Gen Y informed and engaged without distrubing the daily operations.

Good Luck and let me know what you decide!

Permalink Reply by Amanda Hite on March 17, 2008 at 1:10pm

Andy,

I think it's great! Erin Gray can help you with this! All you have to do is collect the numbers... She has a service where you enter the numbers in once and manage the process through your email... Literally type and click... We did this at the WOW Convention with all the GM's. I'll have her send you the info!

Permalink Reply by Amanda Hite on March 17, 2008 at 1:11pm

I think you can do this and still keep a no cell phone while your on the shift policy!

Permalink Reply by Matt Urdan on March 17, 2008 at 1:22pm

It's possible using email to send to a mobile device or text message. I for the one would discourage the use of cell phones in the restaurant as a means of communication, especially with managers. As a guest, there's something that bothers me about seeing restaurant employees on cell phones--somehow it's a reflection on service. That being said, even though I kept my cell phone in my pocket out of sight while I worked as a restaurant manager, I never heard it ring or the text message chime or felt it vibrate during high volume periods when the music was loud and I was expo-ing or running food or visiting guests at their tables.

Permalink Reply by Andy Swingley on March 17, 2008 at 6:40pm

Thanks to all but I am not advocating the use of cell phones in the restaurant. I just thought it might be cool to send messages through text from leaders that say....

"I read about the guest compliment you had last week and I was impressed! Great Job

"Don't forget about this week's sales meeting at 9:00. Lots of new food to be introduced"

"Ask your leadership team about the new margarita we rolled out today"

'We are looking for some trainers to open a new restaurant in Dayton, OH. If you are interested contact your manager"

"Andy is looking for suggestions to make your restaurant a better place to work, reply if you have an idea"

"Looking to hire servers and bartenders at the Powell location. Cash incentives available for strong candidates. Contact Andy at #### for details if you have someone in mind!"

This is just some of the kind of stuff that might get some traction...

Do you still think the same way?

Permalink Reply by Leslie Clay on April 8, 2008 at 12:56pm

Texting is an excellent way of communicating. I manage a bar in Atlanta. I communicate with my staff, which is small, through texting. The only problems I have run. into is message delivery. I always have them text back an "ok" or "got it" to ensure the message has been delivered. With a small group this could be effective but you might run into problems with larger group. And as much as we want to believe servers/bartenders do not have their phones...they do.

Permalink Reply by Amanda Hite on April 8, 2008 at 8:55pm

Leslie good move on making them respond! We all know they are addicted to it phones, texting, the net.... Communicating through their venues is the way to go!

Permalink Reply by Neal Brown on December 19, 2008 at 1:17pm

I agree, good thinking on asking for a response. The only problem that I see here is that for some people, it costs money to send and receive text messages. If my phone becomes a business phone, if for example, I'm a server, will the business pick up a portion of my monthly bill? Nitpicky I know, but valid nonetheless.

Permalink Reply by erin on July 21, 2008 at 6:11am

awesome idea! i agree with amanda. i think you can still do this while enforcing the 'no cell phone' policy. the greatest advantage is building that connection among your team. from all the feedback we received from associates, they want engagement. they feel a major disconnect between them and the managers. those managers that are most successful in gaining the support and buy-in of their team listen and engage their associates...and they do it on their level! they're already doing it...you might as well join in. the associates will appreciate the effort, and it might even create a shift in their perspective.

the thing you mentioned that pops out most to me is the 'thank you' aspect. if you haven't checked out the blog "engaging the aprons of apathy" on talentrevolution.ning.com...take a moment to read it, focusing especially on her reflection of the fact that too often, good deeds, hardwork and just doing your job go unnoticed. imagine the response, the smile on their face, when they read the text that says 'hey, thanks for all of your hard work! You're a rockstar!'

the site we used to set this up for the wow convention was eztexting.com. you can set-up your database of numbers (even names and email addresses) and groups. You can go as far as to schedule the delivery of the texts and the specific recipients. let me know if i can help in any way!

Permalink Reply by Amanda Hite on July 22, 2008 at 6:14pm

great idea, texting the folks on the shift saying "great job on today's shift!"

Permalink Reply by restaurantdotorg on July 22, 2008 at 6:39pm

I think it's a great idea, although I would do a test run first. We all might think it will work, but I'm curious to see if employees prefer texting only for casual communications. After all, most likely you'll be sending such messages to their personal cell phones.

Fishbowl (who I believe is a FohBoh member) has mobile marketing solutions for consumers, but the folks there might be able to help you with something like this as well.