A venues staff are its greatest asset. FACT. So how you treat your staff, and the working environment that you provide will dictate whether or not you keep them. It costs more to be continually hiring and training new staff, and in more than just pounds! Here are my thoughts on the best ways to retain those staff that you value, and that make your restaurant or pub unique.

1.
How
Do
You
Feel?
By
Matthew
Watts
www.therestaurantguy.co.uk
Did you happen to see the final of the Euros on Sunday night? Italy vs Spain. The
match was meant to be the dramatic finale to what was a decidedly uninspiring
competition. We hoped that these teams, who had been playing some delightful
football, would dance through the match in a perfect ballet, demonstrating why we
love the beautiful game. Unfortunately it was not to be.
Spain was in fine form. Italy went down to ten men, went down to two nil, and then
just went down. You could see that the Italians were suffering. It practically oozed
from them. The negativity, the pessimism, the lack of determination or will to
conquer a challenge. They were defeated before the third and fourth goals were even
scored. It was a sad ending to what should have been a fantastic match. This is not
to undermine Spain’s win, they played very well indeed, but the Italians attitude
contributed to final score.
I worked with a site recently where the morale of the staff is comparable to that of the
Italians as the clock ticked down its final minutes. They lacked leadership,
organisation, and praise; been mistreated, ignored, poorly supervised and poorly
trained. Even a half time pep talk and some old quarters of orange would have been
appreciated here, but sadly that was also missing.
But seriously, your staff are the most important asset your business possesses. Do
you ignore them? Do you know how to get the most out of your team?
Start with praise. Ok, not all staff are fantastic, but the majority manage to do
something right. Tell them. Make them feel good about themselves and their
performance. You must remember that staff are like children. You must praise
them at least twice for every time that you criticise them. We all know how much
difference a little positivity makes to us; do you thank your team when they perform
for you? For every little task? Then give guidance. This comes in the form of
training, supervision, feedback, more training, acknowledgement, praise, recognition,
training, supervision…. Can you see the pattern forming here?
• Satisfied
staff
know
what
is
expected
of
them
every
day.
How,
when,
why,
where,
what
and
who.

2. • Constantly
training/upskilling
your
staff
keeps
them
interested
in
your
business
and
their
role
in
it.
Training
boosts
morale,
emotional
investment
and
retention.
• Allowing
staff
the
opportunity
to
give
feedback,
on
all
aspects
of
your
business,
makes
them
feel
valued.
• Supervise
staff
and
have
strict
policies
and
procedures
in
place.
A
clear
sense
of
their
role
and
their
place
within
the
business
helps
staff
loyalty,
retention
and
performance.
• Keep
a
‘professional
distance’
from
your
staff.
You
are
not
their
friend;
you
are
their
boss/manager.
You
will
find
it
more
difficult
to
manage
your
team
effectively
if
there
is
confusion
about
your
relationship
with
them.
• Never
threaten
staff
about
their
job
or
their
income.
Your
most
effective
staff
will
be
out
looking
for
a
new
job
straight
away
(they
are
organised
remember!),
where
their
personal
security
isn’t
at
risk.
• Make
sure
that
staff
are
acknowledged,
appreciated,
praised
and
thanked.
I
cannot
say
this
last
one
enough.
It
is
the
primary
reason
that
people
perform
poorly,
as
well
as
the
first
reason
for
people
taking
another
job.
You are reliant on your staff; they are the face of your business. So, if you keep them
happy, they will perform better. They will be more interested in performing
better, taking on training, increasing their responsibilities and staying with you
longer. Look after them and your business will reap the rewards. It doesn’t take a
fortune, it just takes time. But it will repay you in the long run. A cheeky bonus
every now and then never hurt though!