by Erica Michaelson

Created on: July 29, 2009

5 tips for improving communication between management and employees

Is the lack of communication with your staff interfering with the performance of your restaurant? Do you want your priorities essential to your employees? In this article you will learn 5 proven ways to better communicate with your staff!

The key to any successful operation is communication! If your staff is uninformed, and poorly trained, disastrous effects will ensue. Having great communications skills with your staff will, enable your commands to be carried out to your standards, allow a productive work environment because everyone has clear objectives, and produce a better experience for your guests, which is clearly the overall objective.

1.) Hold daily shift meetings.

Prepare for these prior to your staff begins their day. These really do not have to be long, 2 - 3 minutes will definitely do the job. You will likely be holding 2 per shift, one for back of the house workers, and the other for the front of the house, particularly the wait staff. These little huddles can be information hubs your workers can count on to get the latest information as to daily specials, and what you will be able to reinforce standards and expectations on a daily basis. Always be training!

2.) Communication Boards

These are a great tool for any restaurant, yet are mostly forgotten about, or underused in many establishments. This is the place the staff should go to when they come on their shift. This will always contain information which was in the shift meeting, along with upcoming promotions, soups of the day. And any 86'd item. We all know what 86 means right? If not, it is an item no longer available, or sold out. Communication boards are an effective communication tool for a restaurant.

3.) Staff Meetings

Aside form your daily three minute huddles, occasional staff meetings are important if your restaurant is making substantial changes, such as a new menu roll out. This training may take longer than a three minute shifter, and also allow you to gather the entire staff all at once, including other mangers. This will allow time for your staff to communicate their obstacles and frustrations. If communication is good between management and staff, and the staff feels empowered, their performance rises and expectations can actually be exceeded.

4.) Regular performance reviews for employees

Everyone want to know how you feel about the job they are doing! You owe it to them. Even a waiter, who does

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