by Erica Michaelson

Created on: July 22, 2009   Last Updated: October 23, 2009

3 Easy Tips for Effective Restaurant Management

As a restaurant manager are you getting the results, and achieving the goals you desire?

Restaurant managers are multitasking geniuses! With so many demands and problems to tackle on a daily basis, managers can sometimes lose themselves, become frustrated, and loose focus.

Here are 3 tips for effective restaurant management

1.) Communications: Implement the use of a day planner and restaurant intercommunication book. It can be as inexpensive as a spiral notebook, or as elaborate as giant diary. This book can be a valuable tool for communicating, and data collection.

Managers may not work together due to days off, and scheduling. Log books create a means to stay on the same page, keep on track, review goals, and implementation steps to reach them.

Do not use this book as a place to place blame and point fingers. Do not let thoughtless comments get ugly, and be taken the wrong way! Always uphold a respectable demeanor. You are the leader, act like one! Management teams that do not respect each other fail! They disappoint the customers, the employees, and the company! Communication is key to building trust, and in team building. Make it a practice to build up you team with positive feedback, and clear expectations!

2.) Be proactive! Before your shift begins, sit down and plan your day. What are the tasks of the day? What employees are on the schedule and what times are they expected to work? What food orders need to be placed? Are there any catering orders to plan for? What time is the plumber coming to fix the sink? You get the idea! You will be amazed at how many things you can accomplish in one shift, even before the lunch rush! Make it a habit! The increase of productively will amaze you, and you will be so proficient!

3.)Lead by example: Conduct regular shift meetings with the staff. This is to review expectations and communicate upcoming changes that may be occurring. This is a daily opportunity to remind the staff of the standards, and arm them with powerful information to help them to perform better! Expect all the managers to do the same. They can be as brief as a 3 minute meeting. They will review the daily specials, and be a chance for the staff to recognize your priorities and standards.

Sometimes the complexity of the operation can be daunting, and managers can lose themselves, easily get sidetracked, and be in a reactive mode in the managing their business. This lack of focus can cause chaos, mayhem, and be very bad for the business.

Make sure to positively reinforce good behaviors. Build morale! Always look for what your staff is doing right! It is important to point out errors your staff is making, but the way you teach is by positive feedback, consist training, and policy enforcement. If you are proactive, communicate well, and continually train your staff to expectations, you will soon reap the rewards and enjoy a very efficient restaurant that you will take pride in!

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