Attention all Bosses and owners!!! What your baristas wish you knew! - Barista Exchange2024-03-28T10:57:51Zhttps://www.baristaexchange.com/forum/topics/attention-all-bosses-and?commentId=1688216%3AComment%3A1101517&feed=yes&xn_auth=noI agree most with the first p…tag:www.baristaexchange.com,2011-04-22:1688216:Comment:11032292011-04-22T23:15:14.484ZAlexander Stephen Roothttps://www.baristaexchange.com/profile/AlexanderStephenRoot
<p>I agree most with the first point made in this discussion regarding communication from owners/management to staff. My employer and his wife own three stores within a part of my city, and "issues" (because the word "problems" is to pessimistic) arise daily. I've never once gotten constructive criticism or encouragement from them without provocation. It's just not their style.</p>
<p>We have store meetings once every 4 months, and that's only because the staff will have veered off course…</p>
<p>I agree most with the first point made in this discussion regarding communication from owners/management to staff. My employer and his wife own three stores within a part of my city, and "issues" (because the word "problems" is to pessimistic) arise daily. I've never once gotten constructive criticism or encouragement from them without provocation. It's just not their style.</p>
<p>We have store meetings once every 4 months, and that's only because the staff will have veered off course somehow and began doing things the way they shouldn't be done. Yes, some of this is our fault. Ultimately, however, I believe that since my store lacks an easily accessible recipe book, store manual, and a company book, we're really at a disadvantage when it comes to meeting their expectations. Especially when the owners irregularly train the new hires.</p>
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<p>So, yes. The baristas do tend to really, really mess up things. Owners and managers, I completely understand because I see it everyday. You can't deny, however, that baristas don't just walk in to a shop and instantaneously descend in to chaos unless they haven't been trained to avoid that route. If you don't see me everyday, you aren't guiding me to do my best. If your manager doesn't walk in on shifts he doesn't normally see, he doesn't have an opportunity to fully grasp how his/her cafe is working on a daily basis. If you want an idea of how it all works, ask both your employees AND trusted regulars what they think is happening. You'll get a very good answer.</p>
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<p>In summation, I'd love to feel as if my boss truly appreciated my work with him and his wife since July 2009. I honestly can't say that it's been expressed to me whether they enjoy my working for them or not. I'd love to know I'm doing a good job. Knowing I'm good at this keeps me trying to get better, if you want to know the truth.</p> At the shop I work for we are…tag:www.baristaexchange.com,2011-04-22:1688216:Comment:11031212011-04-22T20:36:44.618ZAdrienne Smallhttps://www.baristaexchange.com/profile/AdrienneSmall
At the shop I work for we are almost always alone on shift, so we have to deal with whatever comes up. I really appreciate that my boss is supportive about it. If I make a decision that he would have done differently, then he calmly explains why. "Next time this comes up, deal with it this way" kind of stuff rather than yelling at us or getting angry. I feel comfortable making decisions and don't have to constantly call and ask what to do. Policies and rules are great, but they can only go…
At the shop I work for we are almost always alone on shift, so we have to deal with whatever comes up. I really appreciate that my boss is supportive about it. If I make a decision that he would have done differently, then he calmly explains why. "Next time this comes up, deal with it this way" kind of stuff rather than yelling at us or getting angry. I feel comfortable making decisions and don't have to constantly call and ask what to do. Policies and rules are great, but they can only go so far. He also makes it clear what kind of problems I need to call him about. Great points, Dustin!
tag:www.baristaexchange.com,2011-04-22:1688216:Comment:11021512011-04-22T01:16:08.526ZDeferiohttps://www.baristaexchange.com/profile/Deferio
<p>Great points, Dustin!</p>
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<p>Great points, Dustin!</p>
<p> </p> You covered some really good…tag:www.baristaexchange.com,2011-04-21:1688216:Comment:11015172011-04-21T05:24:28.593ZDustin DeMershttps://www.baristaexchange.com/profile/DustinDeMers998
<p>You covered some really good things in your post. One of the biggest for me is feeling like we are on the same team. If I cant count one you to have my back, then why would I be loyal back to you.</p>
<p>Reward hard work, and make a point to notice when extra things were done. Honestly even just saying "hey yesterday you had an awesome close", or "damn that cappuccino you made me was great". These things go a long way.</p>
<p>Always be timely on reviews. When you hire me on, and tell me that…</p>
<p>You covered some really good things in your post. One of the biggest for me is feeling like we are on the same team. If I cant count one you to have my back, then why would I be loyal back to you.</p>
<p>Reward hard work, and make a point to notice when extra things were done. Honestly even just saying "hey yesterday you had an awesome close", or "damn that cappuccino you made me was great". These things go a long way.</p>
<p>Always be timely on reviews. When you hire me on, and tell me that after 6 months there will be a review(and raise if appropriate) then make sure 6 months from now that happens. I cant tell you how many times I have to remind employers that I was suppost to have a rewiew last month, or the month before, and then have to remind them 5 more times before it happens.</p>
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<p>Oh ya and one last thing, WE NEED HEALTH INSURANCE!!!! I cant stress enough the importance of this. Ive been lucky enough to work a couple coffee houses that offer it, and I was extremely greatful! Maybe you cant afford it right now, but please keep it in mind and offer it in the future if possible.</p> Jack-
I wish "I" could work…tag:www.baristaexchange.com,2011-04-21:1688216:Comment:11009512011-04-21T04:16:16.086ZJay Caragayhttps://www.baristaexchange.com/profile/JayCaragay
Jack-<br />
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I wish "I" could work only 45 hours. Heck, sixty hours a week would be a nice change of pace...
Jack-<br />
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I wish "I" could work only 45 hours. Heck, sixty hours a week would be a nice change of pace... I think Number 3 is important…tag:www.baristaexchange.com,2011-04-20:1688216:Comment:10994482011-04-20T16:47:35.628ZJay Caragayhttps://www.baristaexchange.com/profile/JayCaragay
<p>I think Number 3 is important.</p>
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<p>I see too many people in the coffee biz too focused on coffee - as though coffee is their life. For them, I feel pity because there's more to life than coffee. I regularly tell people that coffee is not my life, it's what I do for a living.</p>
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<p>That said, I encourage my staff to nurture their own creative outlets outside of the coffee business. We work hard every day to produce one of the finest customer experiences in the coffee…</p>
<p>I think Number 3 is important.</p>
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<p>I see too many people in the coffee biz too focused on coffee - as though coffee is their life. For them, I feel pity because there's more to life than coffee. I regularly tell people that coffee is not my life, it's what I do for a living.</p>
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<p>That said, I encourage my staff to nurture their own creative outlets outside of the coffee business. We work hard every day to produce one of the finest customer experiences in the coffee industry. It's tough work and I don't want my staff focused solely on coffee. I want them to explore other avenues to grow and bring back that experience to their work.</p>
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<p>Explore things outside of coffee but toe the line when it comes to the shop. Provide for our guests and protect company interests. It all goes hand-in-hand.</p>