Fourth, provider of a leading hospitality operations platform, has a few best practices for attracting and retaining talent in the restaurant and hospitality industries during the busy summer months.
“Engaged employees are key to running any successful business,” said James England, senior vice president, strategic partnerships, Fourth. “We have found that engaged employees generate a 27 percent increase in productivity, 24 percent increase in sales, 16 percent increase in profits and a 78 percent increase in referrals. With this in mind, it’s critical that operators provide their employees access to the latest technologies, allow flexible scheduling and ensure internal communications foster a positive working environment.”
- Attracting new talent
Providing a competitive offering to potential employees is critical all year long, however, it becomes increasingly important when an influx of potential candidates enter the market looking for part-time, summer employment. When assessing potential employers, candidates want to know that they will be treated fairly, paid correctly and on-time, and be able to adjust their schedule and hours to cater to their individual needs. To ensure they meet and exceed candidates’ expectations, restaurant operators must have reliable, easy-to-manage workforce management solutions in place and be able to demonstrate to candidates how these solutions will positively impact their employment experience.
2. Managing time off
Work-life balance is key, especially for millennial employees. Adopting an integrated platform with mobile capabilities that allow employees to easily request time off and swap shifts with their coworkers will help boost employee retention. Knowing that there is not a lengthy, paperwork-filled process ahead will empower staff to take control of their schedules, giving them the time they need to for other interests.
On the flip side, confusing processes that result in irregular, ever-changing schedules can result in additional work for managers and frustration for employees. Operating on a system that uses machine learning to flag staffing holes or cases of over-staffing is essential for maintaining optimal revenue and customer satisfaction during the busy summer months, in particular.
“Recruiting and retaining quality staff is both essential and difficult,” said England. “In this volatile labor market, finding star employees and keeping them isn’t going to get easier any time soon. Therefore, it’s more important than ever to hold on to your best people.”
3. Handling crowds
Summertime often leads to an influx of guests visiting the area, or locals who are taking advantage of the nice weather to dine at their favorite restaurants. During these upswings in business, operators must take a closer look at their staffing plans and should rely on tools like demand forecasting to determine how many employees they will need per shift to create amazing guest experiences. It is also important to look closely at procurement to ensure menu availability. Having a fully integrated system that’s able to control both inventory and procurement saves managers time being fully prepared to meet surges in demand.
The summer months can be hectic, but with the proper technology to guide staffing decisions, operators can attract and retain the right talent to provide customers with the best possible experience.