How to keep communication open with restaurant/bar staff

How to keep communication open with restaurant/bar staff

Often times in a restaurant environment, decisions are made quickly and not always thought through. These decisions however, can affect how staffs behave and how they feel about approaching management with problems. Good communication with all personnel is integral for a successful restaurant or bar.

Step 1: Have a weekly agenda on items you wish to focus on. Maybe sales are slow, maybe pour costs are high. By making a list and focusing on a few topics weekly, you can greatly improve results. Post the agenda of the week in a common area for all to view and mention it during pre-shift meetings.

Step 2: Try to have meetings on a monthly basis or even weekly if things are poor in the restaurant. Staffs typically don’t like attending meetings, but if you keep them quick and to the point you’ll have a better chance at retention of information. Have prizes at these meetings. If people have fun and win prizes, it’s a more fun environment and by keeping things light when possible, it makes it easier for them to approach management when things aren’t as “light”.

Step 3: Ask staff if they need help and in a non judgmental status. By helping fill waters, or get an order, you can help the staff rely on you, closer proximity helps communication. Ask for feedback. What processes are working, or not and ask for their suggestions. Their input can be helpful but also helps communication. Be with staff as much as possible. This always helps service, but also helps communication. Lastly, think before you speak. If you’re normal inclination is to get mad about something, take a few breaths and think. If you overreact, the staff will not feel comfortable approaching you. Without communication there is no service in his business.

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