Barry Chandler's Blog – January 2010 Archive (14)

How to Improve the Cash Flow in Your Bar

Running a hospitality business can mean that you have good cash flow. After all, you normally purchase your items on 30 days credit, sell them for cash, bank the cash and pay the suppliers the following month.

In an ideal situation, this is how it remains, however most businesses are not ideal situations and cash flow is limited for a number of reasons. If you find it difficult to make the payments demanded of you each month, you know you have a cash flow problem.

In this video, I… Continue

Added by Barry Chandler on January 28, 2010 at 9:51pm — No Comments

How to Deal with Staff Who Can’t Be Trained!

We got a question in at Ask Barry about how to deal with staff members who have been there for 25 years and can’t be trained! It seems like the question comes from a bar owner who has recently taken over a premises complete with staff.

Here are the points you need to consider before making a final… Continue

Added by Barry Chandler on January 25, 2010 at 9:26pm — 2 Comments

Why the Fox Should Not Look After the Henhouse!

I recently met with Patrick McDermott, the Managing Director of Ireland’s Leading Stocktaking and Invetory Control Company for bars, Stocktaking.ie and I asked him why it is that the bar managers or bar staff should not be involved in the inventory count in the… Continue

Added by Barry Chandler on January 21, 2010 at 10:34pm — 1 Comment

How to Deal With Staff Members Who Need Time Off

Labor cost makes up a significant percentage of your cost base. Tracking, forecasting and achieving your ideal labor cost requires a systematic approach.

With some staff members costing more than others, it helps to know in advance who’s going to be on holiday and how much it’s going to cost to replace them.

Form the moment new staff members are hired, it is essential to have then adhere to your systems if you are going to achieve your labor cost… Continue

Added by Barry Chandler on January 21, 2010 at 10:30pm — No Comments

How to Increase Footfall in your Pub Despite Competition

I was recently asked my advice by the owner of a small town center pub in Yorkshire, England (at http://www.thebarblogger.com/askbarry) about what to do to increase footfall in the premises despite the presence of a large chain pub on the same street that had dropped their prices considerably.

Here are the strategies I gave… Continue

Added by Barry Chandler on January 19, 2010 at 9:15pm — No Comments

Only in Ireland Would You Find a Bar Like This…

Whilst walking through the countryisde of Kildare in Ireland recently I stumbled upon one of the most unique bars I had ever seen.

What you’re seeing here is a 40 foot long container complete with Murphy’s Irish Stout sign, two picnic tables on the roof, a ladder on the side to climb up and out of view are a number of beer kegs lying around! There’s even an overturned patio heater up there for when it gets cold!!!

Where… Continue

Added by Barry Chandler on January 18, 2010 at 10:18pm — No Comments

How a Bar Has Used Oysters To Attract Customers for Seven Generations

Moran’s Oyster Cottage in Clarinbridge in the west of Ireland is one of the most famous oyster restaurants in the world. Seven successive generations of the Moran family have run the restaurant which counts U2 among their happy customers!

I met with Michael Moran, a world champion oyster opener, who runs the family business and asked him what brings customers back again and again. Oh, and I tried the Oysters too….of… Continue

Added by Barry Chandler on January 18, 2010 at 10:14pm — No Comments

How to Increase Sales in Your Liquor Store/Off License

Based on a question posted at http://thebarblogger.com/askbarry I came up with four strategies for a business to improve sales when selling alcohol for consumption off the premises.

Want your own personalized video response to a problem you are having in your bar, restaurant or hotel business? Post your question in the comment box… Continue

Added by Barry Chandler on January 18, 2010 at 10:12pm — No Comments

Need a Question Answered About Your Business?

Over the last seven days more than 1400 bars and restaurants followed the 7 Day Roadmap to a Profitable 2010. Amazing action has been taken by an amazing group of hospitality business owners. I have been inundated with questions about various parts of the program, so I have decided to use video to answer all of your questions.

You might have a question about Twitter for your bar, or you might want to know… Continue

Added by Barry Chandler on January 17, 2010 at 10:04pm — No Comments

7 Day Roadmap to a Profitable 2010

According to the 7 Day Weather forecast for the United States, we are all in for more snow, colder conditions and more businesses and schools closed until this ice age passes.

While this is an obvious hardship to huge numbers of businesses and people, I want to look at it another way. I want to use the next 7 days to action all aspects of my business so that by the end of the week and the cold spell I will have both set and documented my goals!

I have put together a short video… Continue

Added by Barry Chandler on January 10, 2010 at 10:53pm — No Comments

A Simple, Instant Way To Get Customers In The Door with Twitter

The Bodega in Columbus, Ohio is an eatery, a bar, a carry-out, and a coffee shop all rolled into one.

It’s your corner store with a little bit of everything, a casual, neighborhood shop that is reflective of it’s location and its atmosphere. And they use Twitter. They use Twitter very well. They talk to their customers, mention when they have tapped a new keg or barrel of whiskey, share cocktail picks and keep their… Continue

Added by Barry Chandler on January 5, 2010 at 9:40pm — No Comments

Always Keep An Eye On This Customer

Being the hospitality professionals that you all are, I know I’m probably preaching to the converted, however, it’s always helpful to be reminded sometimes of those things that seem less important in the grand scheme of things, yet can have a big impact on your business.

I’m talking about the customer dining alone, the solitary figure in your bar or dining room. This is the customer you need to pay that little bit more attention to. He’s… Continue

Added by Barry Chandler on January 3, 2010 at 9:45pm — 4 Comments

Can’t Think Of A Name For Your Pub?

Then maybe you need this great “English Pub Name Generator Tool” from My Beer Pix. You’ll never again be caught without a name for your new English Pub with this tool!

Click on the image of the tool below to get started!…

Continue

Added by Barry Chandler on January 1, 2010 at 2:00am — No Comments

A Genius Way to Benefit from Offering Free Wi-Fi

As you know, despite it seeming to be a very divisive issue with you, I am in favor of offering free Wi-Fi as a standard part of your business offering; as standard as toilets, seats and electricity.

Having walked the length and breadth of Cork City (Ireland) over the weekend, I can tell you, that not many businesses offer free wi-fi, and those that did weren’t bars, restaurants or… Continue

Added by Barry Chandler on January 1, 2010 at 1:53am — 2 Comments