Have you ever noticed when you go to a restaurant that in some, you get a very disjointed service and others, it is seamless from the moment you walk in and sit down – nothing is wanted for and all of the staff is very capable, competent and willing to help? Have you ever wondered why the difference? How are some so chaotic or hectic when others run so smoothly?
I can almost 100% guarantee that the difference between the two are staff meetings before a shift. Communication is paramount to success everywhere from interpersonal relationships to sports teams, and your restaurant is no exception. Pre-shift meetings are designed to provide a consistent channel of communication with your staff, ultimately increasing their effectiveness and customer satisfaction.
Think of it like a pre-game huddle where you have the chance to talk to your staff about the game plan – how the shift is going to run. What are important topics to cover?

• – What to expect of the shift – how many people are going to be coming in?
• Who’s where – which staff member is going to be looking after which section.
• What’s special about the shift/menu – what the specials are, what is on and what is off the wine list, what is on and what is off the menu, are you out of anything?
• Continuing education – you can explain the specials and make sure that they have an understanding of them, including how to describe them or what to pair them with.
• Celebrate – pre-shift meetings are a great opportunity to reinforce positive behaviours, attitudes and actions by celebrating them in public, in front of peers (remember – praise in public, coach in private – these meetings are not a lucrative forum to correct bad behaviours).

The information you could cover is endless, but that doesn’t mean the meeting as to be long. Covering the key details to get the entire team on the same page is paramount to successful, seamless service. By including your staff members and sitting them down fifteen minutes before service you get everyone on the same page and their heads in the game. Make sure to keep it an open forum so that they can participate and raise any appropriate concerns or questions. Committing to having a meeting and setting expectations at the start of every shift, breakfast, lunch and dinner, seven days a week, 365 days a year, you will have a successful business. You will have eliminated the question marks and continued to bring your team together. Meetings should be held for both the front and back of house (though you will have to identify based on your team if they are best held together or separately) There needs to be cohesion inclusiveness and an attitude of togetherness and by promoting meetings and sitting down with your staff, and speaking to them on a daily basis reinforces this, instilling the staff with the confidence and tools they need to execute great service.