Last Updated on May 30, 2022 by Guest
Every successful company regardless of the scale is built on the work of a highly engaged, motivated, and happy workforce. These facts are present in any industry, but they are especially obvious in the food industry which is so reliant on the passion, personal touch, and talent of the kitchen staff.
Would you ever order food from the cooks disinterested in their job? No, and your clients wouldn’t either, and rest assured they will notice when your workers start slacking.
Let us take a look then at why it is so critical to keep your food service family engaged and a couple of simple and highly effective ways to do that.
The importance of employee engagement
High employee satisfaction was always considered one of the most critical driving factors of commercial success. These claims are, by all means, tangible. According to one of the recent studies the engaged business units are capable of achieving 21% greater profitability.
Speaking in terms of the hospitality and food industry, the factor that is probably more important than this spike in productivity is the continuity you get with the engaged workforce. The food industry, in particular, depends on the tastes of the audience and the ability of the kitchen team to deliver that unique touch that resonates with guests.
Losing that engagement or even a critical team member can sink the reputation of one restaurant over the course of a night.
Besides, a recent survey has clearly pointed out that friendly employees are, even above the quality of the food, the most important factor forming a positive customer experience. So, with all these things said, it should be clear why it is so critical to keep your food service staff happy. Let us take a look at a couple of ingredients that will help you meet these goals.
The most effective ways to keep workers engaged
Empower and encourage
These two mentions were always seen as some of the most effective ways to keep your workers pumped for the job. But, what is the special spice you can add to make these old strategies more suitable for the food industry? We would say giving your workers more freedom with recipes and flavors. Cooking is an inherently creative profession. Denying your employees a chance to unleash that creativity and push them to new, exciting grounds will ultimately make them detached. Avoid this outcome at all costs.
Use top tier food and tools
Still, letting your workers explore new culinary grounds will suffice very little if they don’t have the means to do that. So, if you want to keep your chefs happy first find some quality health food store that will keep them supplied. Also, do your best to take care of the appliances and the kitchen pieces. Not only will these things make your team more empowered which, as we have seen above, is critical for the success of your company, but also help them to complete their culinary tasks more effectively.
Provide proper training and promotion options
Even though it at the first glance doesn’t look as fast-paced as, let’s say, the IT sector, the food industry is constantly evolving and bringing new offers to the table. Your employees will find it highly motivating if you provide them with regular training and make sure they are up to speed with the industry they work in. Keep in mind, though, that all these efforts should make logical steps on the road to promotion. Seeing that you are taking notes and appreciating their hard work will motivate workers to push harder.
Ensure high workplace flexibility
In this hectic world, we live in, people have learned to hold the time they get to spend with their friends and family in the highest possible regard. So, it shouldn’t be really surprising that in a recent survey 50% of Millennial workers and 44% of Gen Z responded they flexibility and free time are very important factors when considering work options. Do your best way to leverage scheduling and contingent workers in a way that will allow your core staff to stay productive while also getting to enjoy their private lives.
Ask for feedback
Last but not least, we would like to point out that employees like to have their opinions heard. That is why you should always stay open to hearing them out and even proactively ask for their feedback on a regular basis. As a matter of fact, you shouldn’t make any big decisions that will have a major impact on the daily goings of the company without holding a small meeting with employees and reaching at least some level of consensus. As soon as they get a sense of ownership over the company your staff will work harder to keep it afloat.
So, we hope these few considerations help you realize the paramount importance of worker satisfaction for the success of your company and proposed a couple of strategies you can use to get this result in the most intuitive and efficient manner. Even though we earn money off it, food and cooking are a true form of art. And for any kind of art to be successful, the heart needs to be in the right place. Well, now you know how to keep it there.