All Blog Posts Tagged 'managers' (12)

The words “leader” and “leadership” used to be widely accepted definitions of person(s) at the very top. Now, they have been widely broadened to reflectively include those who contribute to the process of moving things forward at any level, in any business setting.

I like to think of it this way, leadership is like ice cream, and the specific business, industry or circumstances are the flavors. It is impossible to use chocolate chip and make it work when pistachio swirl is required,…

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I believe that everyone should work as a waiter at one point in their life.

Not because the money is pretty darn good or because you get one shift drink that can turn into two or three if you are good chums with the bartender. Rather, they should become a waiter to learn the true value of great customer service and its rewards.

It worked for me and I can say, with no…

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I’ve been in the restaurant business my entire career.  I have enjoyed the challenges and successes and I’ve learned a great deal from the failures.  I have a real passion for the people who work in the business, especially those who work in the restaurants. 

 

Much has changed since I…

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Those of us who have been in the service business have heard it all:



“It takes less facial muscles to smile than it does to frown”



“If you see someone who isn’t smiling give them yours”



“A smile is just a frown turned upside down”



“Fake it til you make it”



Yadda, Yadda, Yadda…



I’m here to tell you smiling is a lost art. I’m not sure what is causing the smile deficiency but I want to ban… Continue

I was inspired by Bill Campion's post, so decided it was time to chime in.

If I were a Manager....

I would make sure the back dock looked just as clean and organized as the front door. Delivery drivers should get the same courtesy as our guests.

I would consider the type of volume and business when making a schedule. Yes, Friday nights are…

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You have heard of Anthony Bourdain, he of NYC/chefdom/ Travel/Discovery Channel/Author/Back of the house buccaneer/ fabulous’ness & fame - Well, he also travels around and does a live stand up show. Recently, I read that he was coming to my Mile High City.…

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I just spent two fabulous afternoons with people who make my world go round – Restaurant Managers! I must admit I have this incredible love and respect for anyone who runs a restaurant. I have spent my entire career in the biz and I can’t even begin to count the number of valued…

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Disclaimer: I so wanted to make the title non-gender specific but it sounded stupid as person,…

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How much do your employees really know about the state of your business?



I recently read a comment on one of those online restaurant review sites, posted by a customer who obviously had never run a restaurant. He had a couple of negative things to say about the place, but one which struck me was his complaint that one of the imported beers on offer was being sold for 30% more than at the grocery store down the street! He had half a mind to go and buy his beer there!



Over… Continue

NEW SURVEY STUDIES CAREERS OF MANAGERS AND CHEFS



Have you ever wondered why some employees stay with a foodservice or restaurant organization for years while others leave within months? And, why some individuals are devoted professionals in their chosen field while others do little more than complete their shift and collect their paycheck?



These and other questions about employee work behaviors have interested researchers for years. This study looks at how commitment… Continue

What’s happening in restaurant wine programs today?



This question almost begs a look back twenty five, thirty years ago when I first started in the business, and was literally hand scripting 70, 80 selection wine lists, switching out pages of glass selections and new fangled California “boutique” wines on a weekly basis. Hard to believe, but White Zinfandel was considered an innovation in those days, and Riesling spätlesen, Sauvignon Blanc and even Chenin Blanc sold… Continue