Trade Secrets

To the core

Every society has a set of morals by which it functions. They are usually a combination of kinds of values that define how we love, play, and work. They define right and wrong, form the basis of our laws and governmental policy. In short, our culture.

Time trials

We've talked before about the importance of timing. One aspect of delivering great food and service is getting a perfectly prepared meal to the table in a timely manner. Have our timing down is our job. But what about our guests' timing?

Duty free

Juries are crucial to our country's democratic process. Without them, our legal system would grind to a halt. Therefore, it's essential that all citizens are available to serve on juries when called.

Making a list and checking it twice

The holiday season offers many opportunities for fun, goodwill and lots of business. But behind the glamour of hospitality, there needs to be some basics to keep things running smoothly.

ChaChingle bells

The weather outside may be frightful, but that doesn't have to apply to your sales. If profits are falling as steadily as the snow, it's time to put on your marketing hat. Between holiday parties, office get-togethers, year-end sales meetings, hungry shoppers, awards banquets, and the general "socialness" of the season, there are a lot of ways to fill empty seats. Here is a new marketing idea to get all of your dayparts busy and profitable, as well as a list of ideas from Trade Secrets past:

The third degree

We've talked before about using cage-rattling interview questions to get below the surface when face to face with job candidates. But just because you have some fancy tricks up your sleeve doesn't mean that you can forego more fundamental interview questions.

b2b blitz

Make it easy for employees at local businesses to chose your foodservice operation for lunch. Whether you're white tablecloth, casual, or quick service, there's a huge lunch market going untapped if you don't have a Business-to-Business Blitz program in place.

Do as I say

I watched the final episode of "The Apprentice" last week. I admit that I've become intrigued with how Donald Trump leads the contestants vying for a coveted position in his company. In the last episode, two young men each lead a team to oversee a major fundraising event. At the end of the night, the final decision of who would be hired boiled down to the success (or in this case the failure) of one key issue leadership skill... delegation.

On your mark, re-set, go

You've heard the expression "You're only as strong as your weakest link." In foodservice that translates into "You're only as good as your lowest paid employee." Typically that's the busser. With that in mind, how do you rate?

Don't flake-out on take-out

We've all experienced the frustration of sitting down, unpacking the to-go orders and hearing someone exclaim "Hey, this isn't what I ordered!" You dial the phone, lodge your complaint, and hear the same, predictable and inadequate response, "If you come by in ten minutes, we'll have your order ready for you."

Suggestive selling in restaurants

The sales trainee was trying to explain his failure. "You know," he said to his manager, "you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink." "Make him drink?" the manager sputtered. "Your job is to make him thirsty!"

Let them eat cake

We think we're doing our employees a great favor by offering them free meals during their shift. But ask yourself... could I get excited about production leftovers, day-old menu items or a random assortment of low-cost like spaghetti or hamburgers?

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