Whether you’re a bar owner or a manager, you need tips on bar management. Human beings are fickle, after all. Without the right management techniques, getting a group of folks to stay on task can be as easy as herding cats. The advice we offer here isn’t a complete lesson on how to manage your bar staff. What we share with you are some helpful tips designed to help you in your day-to-day operations. If you follow these 10 tips and incorporate them into your day-to-day strategy, you’ll be even more effective at motivating and managing your bar staff.
- No Yelling or Shouting: Are you the type of boss who shouts and belittles your employees to get them under control? Newsflash: if you’re yelling, then you’re the one who’s lost control. This behavior also upsets your employees and gives them a legitimate reason to despise you. (Have you been losing good employees and/or experiencing a lot of employee theft?) If you feel the need to shout at your employees, you’re the one who’s failed. Find another way to communicate with your staff; read a book or take a course in business communications if you have to.
- Just the Facts: As a bar owner or manager, you’ll end up having to reprimand a member of your staff. It comes with the territory. Before you do, it’s best to get all the facts before you address the issue with your employee. Talk to everyone involved in the incident and anyone else who might have been at your bar when it happened. There’s nothing worse than disciplining an employee only to find out that you got the situation wrong. It’s always best to do your research.
- Video Surveillance: Every bar owner should also be a “big brother” with a video surveillance system in and around their bar. These closed circuit security systems let you keep an eye on your employees as well as your customer. If there’s an incident involving either, there’s a good chance you’ll know exactly what happened by simply reviewing your tapes. In point No. X, we tell you get all the fact before you reprimand your staff. A security/surveillance system will help you do that.
- Recognize Staff Efforts: A little bit of praise can go a long way with your staff. Make it a point to recognize the efforts of all of your employees. Be genuine and sincere in your praise, since most people will spot false praise and become offended. The more your staff feels connected to you and your business, the more of an effort they’ll put forth. Everyone wins when you show your team some gratitude.
- Maintain a Barrier: There’s such a thing as socializing too much with your staff. This isn’t a good thing to do because it’s easier to delegate duties and reprimand staff when you see them as employees instead of friends. Be sure to maintain some type of barrier between you and your team. Your staff will respect you more when you don’t involve them in your personal life, and you stay out of theirs.
- Be Approachable: If you’re employees are scared to approach you, they won’t come to you with important things. For example, let’s say someone is stealing from your business and your employees know about it. Even if you have an open-door policy that protects whistle-blowers, no one will want to tell you the bad news if they’re afraid of you. While it’s always good to keep some professional distances between yourself and your staff, you still have to be approachable enough for your employees to come to you when there’s a problem.
- Don’t be Afraid to Delegate: There are two huge benefits to delegating tasks at your business. The first is that if frees you up to focus your attentions on the things that only you can do. That’s the practical side of delegating. The other aspect offers benefits that are more intangible but just as valuable. When you delegate tasks to members of your staff, it shows that you trust them to handle tasks that you normally complete. Like many of the tips on this post, delegation helps build rapport with your staff and makes them feel a deeper connection to your business.
- Stay Calm During Emergencies: Sometimes, disasters happen at bars. Water pipes can break, customers can start fights, and someone can forget to order enough beer. All of this and more can happen during a normal day at work. When and if it does, it’s important for you to remain calm. As a bar owner or bar manager, your staff looks to you for leadership. If you lose it, so will they. On the other hand, if you’re able to keep it together during these catastrophes, you can lead your team to fix the situation. A we’re-all-in-this-together approach usually works best.
- Make Yourself Visible to Customers: As a bar owner, you have to spend a certain amount of time in your office. Whenever you can get away, makes sure you customers and staff see you out on the floor. The best time to do this is when your bar is busy. Being visible gives you the opportunity to connect with your customers and help your staff make them feel welcome. Let your staff and customers see you whenever you can pry yourself away from your paperwork. You’ll be glad you did.
- Offer Incentives: Every bar owner wants a motivated staff. Offering group and individual incentives is a great way to inspire your team. You can reward your staff for a variety of things, such as selling them most cocktails or hitting certain revenue limits. It’s common for many bar owners to treat their staff to a night out at another bar or restaurant when certain goals are reached. Contests such as these are always good to get a bar staff excited about their job.
Bonus Tip – Get DIRECTV for your Bar or Pub
The first 10 tips in this post focus on your relationship with your staff. This extra advice is to help you make your bar more appealing to your customers. DIRECTV is an amazing addition to any bar or pub because it can make your business more profitable. When you have DIRECTV and its pro football or baseball viewing packages,+people will watch the game at your bar. This means they’ll stay longer than normal and order more food and drinks. DIRECTV also offers pro basketball and hockey packages, as well as other sporting options.
Get DIRECTV from Signal Connect
Signal Connect are experts at delivering DIRECTV to bars and restaurants. This satellite TV service can benefit your bar or pub in many important and measurable ways. We understand that this is a big decision, and you probably have many things you need to know about DIRECTV. Signal Connect wants to answer all your questions. Our reps are always happy to help. Just give Signal Connect a call at 888-233-7563. We’re here during East Coast business hours. If it’s after hours, fill out the form below. You’re in good hands when you choose us as your DIRECTV installation partner.
