I hate dream teams.
Don't get me wrong. I’m all about a bunch of hospitality superstars working together in perfect unison, loving their jobs and creating unforgettable moments for guests.
No, what really annoys me is the label - "dream team".
Think about this for a second.
When you're dreaming, you're just lying there, doing nothing, right? You're not working up a sweat, strategising or developing your business plan. Things just happen around you with little or no effort.
Does that sound like a recipe for a successful team? Hell no!
Building a real team, a good team, is not something that magically falls into place. And no matter how good you are, it’s not something you can do with your eyes closed.
If you've ever tried to forge a new team into a well-oiled machine in a busy venue, you'll know what I mean. You've got to find the right people, keep them around, and help them grow.
Sounds easy? Not really.
Right now you’ve probably got high staff turnover, everyone's spending less and it’s harder than ever to attract talented people.
But instead of dreaming about a superstar team, let's get our hands dirty. Let's figure out what kind of people we need, write some killer job descriptions, and use all the tech at our disposal to find them. Let's vet them properly, with real interviews and telling tasks.
And let's not stop there. Let's build a place where they'll want to stick around, with fair pay, chances to learn and grow, and a bit of recognition for a job well done. And let's actually talk to them, get their feedback, make them feel valued. That's how you keep them around.
Now, a "dream team" won't just develop skills overnight, nor will they “get” your brand instantly. We've got to invest time and money in training, to help them become better at what they do. That's how you get a loyal, engaged team that keeps your customers happy.
As your friendly neighbourhood hospitality consultants, we're here to help. Not with some pie-in-the-sky "dream team" promises, but with real, proven ways to find, keep, and grow your team. That's how we'll get your restaurant thriving and growing, no dreaming required.
Building a solid team is what will make your restaurant a hit. Not by dreaming about it, but by taking action: find great people, keep them happy and motivated, and help them develop their skills. Wake up from the “dream team” fairy tale.
Let's embrace the sweat, the planning, and the satisfaction of turning a group of individuals into a solid, efficient, real team. Because when it comes down to it, dreams don’t run restaurants - dedicated, well-led teams do."
What are your go-to techniques for attracting talent? What are your top tips for team training?
Do you think the idea of a Dream Team is outdated?
Comments