“Job Culture” means different things to different people. When you’re reading a review of a restaurant or bar, for example, you may wonder what aspects of the job culture there are to learn from. In this article, we’ll explore what ‘job culture’ means in a review, how it affects performance, and the steps a restaurant or bar can take to improve their version of ‘job culture’.
What Is ‘Job Culture’?
‘Job Culture’ is simply the set of behaviors, attitudes, and customs that exist within an organization. When we talk about a business’ or a brand’s ‘job culture’ we’re essentially talking about the corporate culture. This culture can be found everywhere within the organization, from the top down, but is most pronounced at the lower levels where employees interact with customers on a daily basis. This culture can be very positive or very negative, which makes it very important to define, understand, and implement as needed.
Why Is It Important To Review A Restaurant Or Bar’s Job Culture?
When we think about a restaurant or bar’s job culture it’s important to consider the circumstances under which the review was written. The review may not be an accurate representation of the organization’s culture due to the reviewer’s personal experience there or with other establishments owned by the same group of individuals. In these situations it’s important to look at the review in the context of the brand’s other reviews to get a clearer picture of what is going on.
What Makes Up A Restaurant Or Bar’s Job Culture?
Depending on what type of business you’re in, how you do business, and what aspects of your job you’re responsible for, you may be surprised by how much of ‘job culture’ there is to learn from. Here’s a shortlist of some of the things you may come across when reviewing a restaurant or bar:
- The type of decor the restaurant uses (e.g. Country French, Traditional British, etc.)
- The way customers are treated (e.g. Is there a smile at the reception desk?)
- The way employees interact with each other (e.g. Do employees help each other out with tasks?)
- Whether or not customers feel comfortable interrupting employees while they’re working (e.g. Do customers wait their turn?)
- What the restaurant’s approach is to employee engagement (e.g. Are there career paths available within the company?)
- Whether or not there are sufficient training programs in place (e.g. Does the company do any on-the-job training?)
- The restaurant’s approach to customer satisfaction (e.g. Does the restaurant make sure customers feel taken care of?)
- How the restaurant handles (e.g. Returns, exchanges, or refunds for) items that aren’t as described (e.g. Do they provide what’s been ordered?)
- The type of food and drink available (e.g. Are soft-serve machines available?)
- Whether or not the restaurant offers discounts to students and/or military personnel (e.g. Does the restaurant give discounts to teachers who work during the school year?)
- Whether or not the restaurant offers early bird discounts or other special deals (e.g. Does the restaurant have a loyalty program?)
How Can A Restaurant Or Bar Improve Their Job Culture?
There’s a lot that a restaurant or bar can do to improve their ‘job culture.’ It starts at the top with a clear understanding of what ‘job culture’ means, and then filters down to every aspect of the organization. The steps below can help get you started.
1. Check The Vibe At The Top
Judging a restaurant or bar by its exterior is rarely a good idea. You’ll usually get a sense of what’s going on from the get-go, and if you don’t like the vibe, you should probably stay away. It’s not always easy to find the right vibe that fits the type of business you’re looking for, but if you’re on the lookout, you’ll eventually find it.
2. Create An Identity
The logo, the type of music they play, the colors they use, the type of food they serve, and even the type of atmosphere you feel when you walk in the door can all help give your restaurant or bar a unique identity. You don’t necessarily have to have all of these elements to have a successful restaurant or bar, but you should find something that sets you aside from other restaurants in your area. Think about the last time you were in a restaurant with your family and a server came by and said, “Hello, how may I help you?” You may have said, “I’ll have the usual,” but what exactly does that mean? Does that mean fish, chicken, or pasta? Does it even mean food at all? Your server doesn’t know, and you may never find out what you ordered unless you ask.[/p>
3. Establish Clear Cut Off Points
There are certain expectations that come along with any job, and being a restaurant or bar server is no different. One of the first things you’ll learn is that there are some customers that are simply not worth your time and effort. You can’t make everyone happy all the time, and trying will only lead to you burning out. What you need to do is establish clear cut points, otherwise known as red lines, in your own mind about what is and is not acceptable at your place. Do you tolerate rude and aggressive customers? How about swearing or use of foul language? Does your restaurant accept reservations or walk-ins? All of these questions should have answers that are easy to understand and consistent.
4. Build Relationships
The first step to improving your job culture is by developing a better relationship with your employees. You can begin by simply thanking your staff for all of the hard work they put in, and then follow up with some recognition for a job well done. You can also use this opportunity to give them some useful tips and pointers on how to improve their performance, and in turn, your job culture will take a jump forward. Your employees are a key part of the puzzle as far as your restaurant’s overall success goes, and you can be sure that they’ll appreciate and value your time and effort. As your business develops, so does your employee base, and you can be sure that they’ll be eager to continue building a better relationship with you as part of the team.
5. Monitor Your Accomplishments
Just because your restaurant is new or just because you’re still trying to figure out what works best doesn’t mean that you should ignore the important metrics that matter. Your best friend, your accountant, and even your mother may all have something to tell you about how your business is doing, and how you can improve upon it. You can start by setting up a business journal where you log all of your restaurant’s important data, such as sales, tips, food cost, etc. This journal will also be a good place to keep notes on other aspects of your business, such as marketing campaigns you may run, events you may plan, and so on. There’s a lot of information to track, and if you ever hope to run a profitable restaurant, you’ll need all the help you can get.
6. Use Technology
You can’t keep up with the times if you don’t use technology. The world is changing, and fast, and it would be foolish of you to ignore the fact that many people now prefer to conduct their business online. When it comes to reviewing a restaurant or bar’s job culture, being able to access information about the place remotely is essential. You may need to check out some reviews or check in with the management team to get an idea of what’s going on. Technology allows you to do all of this from the comfort of your home. So, if you can’t be there in person to get the full experience, you may as well take advantage of what technology has to offer.