Casual Articles - Business

It May Be Time to Walk in an Employer's Shoes
If you are in a job search and aren’t receiving viable hits, it’s time to walk a mile in an employer’s shoes. Okay, I realize what you may be thinking. For just one day, you would like an employer to walk in your shoes so they can be sympathetic to the stresses you are going through on a daily basis. That makes sense, since what most of us want is to be understood by others.However, when I suggest you take the time to put yourself in the position of an employer, that isn’t meant to minimize the realities and responsibilities of your world. Your responsibilities

cate the goals and current performance—Every company's drive-thru goal is different. Does your staff know what a great drive-thru time for your company is? Do they know where they currently stand? Does your management team know how to improve it?

We can all try to shoot for 20-seconds at the window, but if that's not a realistic goal for your company, focus on your ideal time. Additionally, don't just focus on speed. Accuracy, food quality, and hospitality all affect the guest experien

Golf Course Designers - How to Choose an Architect to Design Your Golf Course
This article is an excerpt from an interview with golf course architect Kevin Norby.What are the most important considerations for a developer when choosing a golf course designer? Knowledge and experience. As an owner, you want to make sure you're working with someone who can guide you through the project approval process and provide some assurance that, when complete, the project will be successful. In particular, it is important that the client determine who they are building the golf course for: W

Many people have undoubtedly seen Lethal Weapon 2 and are familiar with the scene where Joe Pesci's character remarks, “Never go through the drive-thru. They *$?@ you in the drive-thru.” Not exactly flattering to the industry, huh?

In recent years, the intense focus many companies have placed on drive-thru service has gone miles to change that perception, but there is still a long way to go.

How has your company or restaurant performed over the past few years in the g3/QSR Drive-Thru Time Study? Tired of seeing the same companies on top? Wonder what they are doing and how they are doing it? The technological advances of the past few years have made our jobs easier and guest experience better. With technology, however, there is a tendency to use it as a crutch and rely on it too heavily.

Technological advances such as full-duplex headsets, timers, self-service kiosks, self-payment systems, order confirmation boards, and message repeaters have helped enhance speed of service. On the other side, we've all been through drive-thrus that have all the technology in the world yet can't ever get an accurate order out in a reasonable amount of time. My garage is full of power tools, yet I would never be called a craftsman.

Much has been written about Pal's Sudden Service—the 2001 Malcolm Baldridge Quality Service Winner. The 19-unit chain in Tennessee and Virginia consistently runs drive-thru times of 20 seconds at the window and tracks one mistake for every 3,300 orders. Now that's drive-thru excellence. Their systems are designed to deliver speed and accuracy. Are yours? Or are you relying on technology to overcome the operational deficiencies?

The big picture of drive-thru success is to ensure that your systems enhance speed and accuracy. Sales increases will follow as the word gets out that your drive-thru is fast and accurate. People will wait if they know the line will move quickly. So what can you do?

Track and communicate the goals and current performance—Every company's drive-thru goal is different. Does your staff know what a great drive-thru time for your company is? Do they know where they currently stand? Does your management team know how to improve it?

Feedback: Take It or Leave It ... But Get It
The expense was substantial. An immersion workshop with twelve participants sharing a common goal to hone their skills. With nervous eagerness like kindergarteners embracing school, we received input, critique, and suggestions about our work. Some of the feedback I used. Some of it I didn't. But all of it was helpful.I haven't always viewed feedback that way. At times in my career, I've taken it more like a personal indictment than a helpful gauge; an intruder I needed to defend against, rather than input I needed to evaluate. I've even found myself akin to a w

Thru Time Study? Tired of seeing the same companies on top? Wonder what they are doing and how they are doing it? The technological advances of the past few years have made our jobs easier and guest experience better. With technology, however, there is a tendency to use it as a crutch and rely on it too heavily.

The Importance of an Independent Valuation
Not only is an independent valuation a good idea when getting involved in a transaction, it is also a statutory requirement in many circumstances that involve Employee Stock Ownership Plans, Estate/Gift Taxes, Charitable Contributions or, most recently, the granting of Stock Options. And, in most circumstances, a solid independent valuation can be an insurance policy against tax assessments and accuracy-related penalties.Background – The Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (OBRA) consolidated into one Internal Revenue Code section

ed of service. On the other side, we've all been through drive-thrus that have all the technology in the world yet can't ever get an accurate order out in a reasonable amount of time. My garage is full of power tools, yet I would never be called a craftsman.

How Much Attention Do You Pay to Your Clothing?
In its broadest acceptance, the term ‘clothing’ refers to coverings for the entire body. When speaking about clothing, we can also refer to coverings for the hands , feet or head. Almost all the people on this planet wear clothing. Other terms such as ‘dress’, ‘apparel’ or ‘garments’ may be used when referring to clothing.The reasons why people wear clothing are both functional and social. The human body needs protection against some weather or environment features, and clothing provides safety for people. There is also a social and cultural meaning associated

r every 3,300 orders. Now that's drive-thru excellence. Their systems are designed to deliver speed and accuracy. Are yours? Or are you relying on technology to overcome the operational deficiencies?

Good Customer Service: The Key to E-commerce Success
There is an intense amount of competition in the e-commerce world. Your success depends on a lot of things like your ranking on search engines, your prices, and your product selection, but it also depends on how you treat your customers. In bricks and mortar retail when people have a bad experience they tell friends and family and their friends and family tell more people, and that can hurt your companies reputation.Those same things apply to the internet. If someone shops at your store and has a bad experience they will share that with other people they know a

Make it easy for the guest—Preview boards help indecisive guests. Also, provide an easy way for guests to order combo meals (i.e. $2.50 for medium fries and medium drink or $3 for large fries and a large drink). All sandwiches should be available as a meal. It's easy for the guest and helps you build sales and drive-thru speed.

Be built for speed and accuracy—Whether you choose to place headsets on the production staff or have the cashier announce the order into a microphone, have a system that allows the production team to begin making the order before the guest leaves the speaker box. Take it even a step further. Ask cashiers to repeat the order to the guest and describe what's in a bag as it's handed out to the guest. Pretty soon, guests will no longer look in the bag—they'll know it's right.

Finally, be radical—round all prices to the nearest quarter so making change is very simple for the staff as the guest pulls up to the window. Movie theaters use this strategy quite successfully.

Leverage technology—Don't just rely on remote printers or monitors. The kitchen staff has to wait for the order to show up, and it slows times. However, these tools can be a great double-check if your production system is set up as described in the previous point. Timers are also invaluable, but how about letting the guests see the timer? Add a guarantee message (e.g., “If we don't suggest X, it's free.”). The message deputizes the guest to ensure the employees are doing their job.

Run an hourly pulse check—Football teams huddle after every play. While it's not realistic to huddle after every guest, take a few minutes each hour to take a pulse on the shift. Get outside, listen to the speaker box clarity, check the landscaping and the drive-thru loop for trash, look at the menuboard. Move inside and run a sales report (any labor adjustments

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