personnal mgt

I have a small resturant 10 tables & five employees. The problem is they pay very little attention to my direction. They know that help is very hard to get here & although they agree to do things - e.i. Please wipe up the counter after each customer leaves, etc, they basicly ignore me. (I can't] afford to keep changing help) I like them and they are good workers when left alone but just don't follow direction. They agree that I'm not unreasonable but they would like to continue as they now do. Any incentives, ideas, etc would be most appreciated. Discussing it with them seems fruitless since they smile and agree but.... Frustrated [B)

I've no idea what you mean when you say "they don't follow directions". You say they're good workers and seem to indicate that they do what is needed. Can you give a few specific examples? And please, give some background: how long have you been in business; is this your first restaurant, etc.

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Originally posted by davebugg

I've no idea what you mean when you say "they don't follow directions". You say they're good workers and seem to indicate that they do what is needed. Can you give a few specific examples? And please, give some background: how long have you been in business; is this your first restaurant, etc.

Hi Dave, how's the bbq biz these days? I remember you from a couple years ago when you were posting the pics of your first store on one of the q boards. I hope the new location has been good for you. pb

Order up a couple large pizzas, gather them up and sit them down. Make it a casual, yet serious meeting.. Anybody can be replaced should be your theme. Lay down the law or show them the door. I know you don't want to keep training new employees, and they probably know it, but believe me, there's someone out there that wants that job and will do as told. Eventually you'll have the staff you desire. As for incentives, that ones simple... You either get a paycheck or you don't! Remind them this is a business, not your play pen away from home.
One thing you can do though, once things are back to the way they should be, is maybe surprise them with a couple movie tickets stapled to their checks once in awhile. Little things like this lets them know you appreciate their efforts.

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Hi Dave, how's the bbq biz these days? I remember you from a couple years ago when you were posting the pics of your first store on one of the q boards. I hope the new location has been good for you. pb

Well, hi there We sold the building after two years and made a tidy profit; it is now a Motorcycle parts and accessories store. Right now I've been operating a commercial kitchen and producing about 6,000 pounds of bbq (pork, brisket, and ribs)per week for about a dozen restaurants around the state. I've also been doing some catering.

We learned our lesson about location and have been patiently waiting for the right store property to come on the market. This time we'll probably lease. I've got to tell ya, I miss my customers.