LIVING and working in Port Macquarie, a dream and a reality, however it has it’s challenges.

How do I find a job in Port Macquarie?  is our number one – most frequently asked question!

Yes, we have a ton of people wanting to move here and every day we respond to calls from all over the place from people who want to relocate away from the maddening city life.

The major reason for discontentment is the long commute to and from work in the Metro areas.

How do you get a job in one of the most beautiful and progressive places in Australia? Here are 5 useful tips

1) Research, research and research again

Find out who are the major employers; where are the majority of the jobs; what are the main industries; what is the average cost of a home or an apartment?; are the rents reasonable?

2) be prepared to compromise on income

you may never receive the same salary as in the Metro areas – this is a sad fact

3) adapt and be versatile

Many jobs in Regional areas require you to be flexible in your approaches – for example, a job in the Metro may be quite linear, whereas in Regional areas, you have to be prepared to wear several hats in the same job and not be paid more for the extra accountability or responsibility

4) be personal and up close

be prepared to understand that in small towns, almost everyone knows everyone. You will not be an “anonymous” and it’s more difficult to hide and be isolated!

5) check out the networks

There are a number of robust networks for example, Hastings Women’s Business; http://www.hbwn.com.au/Hastings Business Enterprise Network; Port Macquarie Chamber of commercehttp://www.portchamber.com.au/

I hope you enjoy your transition to the more rural areas of Australia and in particular, NSW.  All the very best for your new future in a wonderful part of the world.

Lastly, make sure your resume is up to date and can reflect your ability to be flexible!

Ivana Agapiou resume writer #FIGJAMresumes #resumes #resume #jobapplications

The post How do I find a job in Port Macquarie? appeared first on Eather Recruitment.

Looking for work is just like fishing.

You have to have the right bait, the right target employers and the right timing.

Finding a job in Regional NSW is a little more challenging that the Metro areas, however, there are tried and true methods that work in any job market.

Let’s explore the fishing analogy

The Right Bait

I believe your resume is the “Bait” that catches the attention of the reader (or not!). What results have you got from your resume? Have you sent heaps out with little result? Did your resume “bait” the reader enough to invite you to an interview? If not, change your bait! Each time you fish for work, make sure your bait is adapted to the role  or the “catch”. Sending the same resume out for various jobs, is NOT helping you bait the right catch!

The Right Employer

A good fisherman reads the weather reports, checks for the best areas for particular catches. Looking for work is no different. Research the companies you are keen on; (don’t be afraid to make a phone call and ask questions!) Examine the future of this industry – is it viable? if you got work ( or fished here) is it fertile enough to sustain you in the future; check that you have the right qualifications; skills and experience; Written job applications need to be tailored to the job advertisement.

The Right Time

Seeking a career change? or looking for a new job in the same industry? Just like fishing for the same breed of fish means working out what that particular fish likes best. What would be the best bait and what times are best to catch them? Employers and industries often have “down times” or seasonality too! If you are seeking a complete career change – what have you learnt from previous experiences and jobs that would be relevant in your new path? This is known as “transferable skills”. Fishing in new zones, requires the Angler to utilize what they have already learnt and be prepared to fail sometimes. List all your capabilities, skills and make sure that this is what your new employer is looking for. As a recruiter, I rarely get a call from applicants asking questions on an advertised role, if I do receive a call, many just rave about themselves, without asking ONE question on the role! This is not to right time to rave… that is for the formal application. First and foremost, find out all you can…

Ivana Agapiou resume writer

The post Looking for work? are you searching for jobs in all the right places? appeared first on Eather Recruitment.

JOBS  within Hospitality/ Tourism and/or Retail industries

Look no further  as there is a fast, and easy way to be noticed and selected for work in any of these industries by jumping on  www.Quickstaff.com.au

Register and WIN !!!! Simply click on the link below and Register as an “Employee” for your chance to WIN.

Please SHARE and TAG friends and family who are looking for work in the Hospitality, Retail and Tourism sectors – It’s a No Brainer 

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Quick-Staff/284260955066620?sk=app_474477662635277

https://www.quickstaff.com.au

The post Want a job in Hospitality, Tourism or Retail??? appeared first on Eather Recruitment.

Port Macquarie is a wonderful coastal town with a great many assets. It offers a relaxed lifestyle along with picturesque beaches and country access.  It’s almost right in the middle of Sydney and Brisbane and has a growing population.  The future is bright with a new developments and the commencement of a new University, Charles Sturt in 2016.

It’s no wonder we frequently receive inquiries for jobs in Port Macquarie, especially from the many “commute weary” workers in Metro areas. We are often asked ”How can I find a job in Port Macquarie“.

Here are 3 useful tips to successfully securing your next job .. located here in Port Macquarie

• Re-Jig your resume.

No matter what your work history, you will need to tailor your resume to fit in with the local job market. Make sure you research and study the types of jobs on offer- where there are; what they are and how often that sort of role is advertised.  Make sure you go to all the job sites and scour for jobs in Port Macquarie. Does your resume still sound city-centric and too role specific? Many jobs in Port Macquarie require staff to be multi-skilled and across a number of diverse roles. This is often labelled as “wearing several hats”.  Make sure your resume does not have too much detail. Less is more.  Have you included an “about me” statement that gives the reader a little snap shot of what type of person/job/ career you are after? And perhaps why you are re-locating?

• Make a few phone calls.

Don’t be afraid to contact any of the local recruitment agencies as well as the larger employers in the area to ascertain the temperature of the job market. If there are no jobs in your specialized field, perhaps you might consider other roles that will utilize your core and transferable skills? Research the cost of living and the housing / rental market. Is relocation financially viable?  Most importantly, salary levels are on the whole, lower in Port Macquarie than in Metro areas. Make sure you weigh up the costs and the benefits first!

• Look beyond jobs in Port Macquarie.

Check out our nearest towns, and other close-by geographical areas, outside of Port Macquarie. For example the Kempsey and Taree areas, it may be another, further commute; however, this widens your options and opportunities for work. Candidates in local employment have a higher chance of gaining another job, than those who are out of work.

Lastly, our Recruitment services offer advice and consultation on finding work in the local area – go to http://bit.ly/1JVa6cY for more information and pricing on our Talent and resume review service. Not only will you be furnished with a great resume, you will have a stronger and more specific idea of what the local job market has to offer. This advice is priceless and will assist you to determine your goals as well as set a path to finding a job in Port Macquarie.

Wishing you all the success in finding work in Port Macquarie.

Ivana Agapiou

The post 3 tips to finding a job in Port Macquarie appeared first on Eather Recruitment.

Variety of jobs posted every day! 

Are you in the job market? Do you seek either temporary or permanent employment within the Mid North Coast? Have you a resume prepared and are you regularly checking the net for roles?

Look no further! We have a variety of jobs for many industries and diverse skill-sets…. check out https://www.eatherrecruitment.com.au/business-development-sales-admin/

for latest job offering and many more!

The post jobs posted every day on www.eatherrecruitment.com.au appeared first on Eather Recruitment.

SALES is not a dirty word!

Whether it’s a Café or a fast food outlet, selling is a natural part of service delivery! Many employees cringe when asked to sell, promote and add value to a sale. Some employees feel intimidated and are often are too shy to “encourage” customers to buy something.  It is imperative that all staff know how to sell and how to sell with ease and confidence… here are a few helpful tips that may help you train your staff and assist your business to increase sales

GREET

Smile, make great eye contact and have a special greeting.. not some sentence that sounds rehearsed, but something unique to  your business,  for example “ Welcome to Ma Maison!”

FOCUS

Customer is first and foremost. This is not a big deal, what it really means  is that staff focus on the customer FIRST… they find out what the customer wants, rather than just push what they are trying to sell them! This kind of “solution selling” is a far more powerful than simply delivering a general-purpose sales pitch for something that the customer may not want.

ANTICIPATE

Discuss with your staff possible reasons the customer may choose not to buy, this is known in the sales industry as ‘objections’.  For example if the waiter is tryring to sell the “special of the day” which happens to be fish, and customer doesn’t like fish, perhaps an alternative dish ready for spruiking

ATTITUDE

Sadly and in summary, many staff don’t act enthusiastically or even in a friendly manner… this lack of positive and effective non-verbal and verbal communication can be the downfall for many businesses. We often forget that it’s the service EXPERIENCE customers will remember most, not necessarily the great food or good wine!

Don’t forget that selling and persuasiveness is a VITAL aspect of customer service! add that to your resume!

Ivana Agapiou

The post Selling is important in every job! appeared first on Eather Recruitment.

Customers are after not just a purchase, they also seek a great experience. This intangible factor can either break or make a business.

Recently I went to  Open House Port Macquarie, looking for nothing in particular, just a Saturday morning browse through the variety of furniture and home wares. Thankfully, there was a cafe there also!  Rachel our Barista, was amazing, she had all the essential ingredients … great smile, warm greeting as well as great Barista skills. Our stay was not only extended, our mood was now elevated and let me tell you, there is nothing like an elevated mood to get that wallet open!

Open House met all 5  of our human senses … maybe even a 6th one!

1. Visually appealing surroundings , with loads of colour, and interesting items.
2. Sounds of soft laughter, background music and the “quiet spaces to sit and contemplate”
3. Customers are enticed to touch and feel – you can’t help it!
4. The taste of coffee and the amazing cheese cake was to die for!
5. The Aroma of coffee and the subtle perfumes abound
6. Lastly, that 6th sense that tell you to come back because … just because it “felt good!”

Thanks OPEN House… we will return!

The post Stimulate senses for success! appeared first on Eather Recruitment.

Job vacancies within small business are often filled via Word of Mouth, but sometimes, applicants send their resumes and/or leave them at the front counter.  Regardless of the method you use for recruiting and sourcing staff, its’vitally important that you can interpret and read between the lines in any resume.

The undersell

Often a resume skims the surface by just listing the name of the company that they worked for, and the job title.. and …..very little else.   The logical interpretation could be:-

a) the writer is shy and cant blow their own trumpet or

b) the applicant is unable to expand on their experiences and skills. Either way, it’s up to you to decide if where they worked and the role they performed is worth a second look…

It’s easy to reflect that perhaps this applicant lacks confidence, or even that they are uninterested in actually finding work!

The oversell

This is where the applicant over-states or may even exaggerate their experience and skills, sometimes the resume may be more than 4 pages in length. Again, all open to many interpretations… for example, you may ask yourself – is this person suffering from over-confidence and perhaps arrogance? Are they being truthful? Will they talk as much as they write?

Again, you might consider that this applicant is perhaps “cocky” and may even want more salary than other?  Either way, park these thoughts and make a note to self.

In conclusion, resume writing is an art, a skill, and is often done by those least qualified to do the best job!  Many of us suffer from the syndrome of what to write and what to leave out of a resume. Sadly, it is still one the most utilized ways to source staff… and perhaps the most non-scientific!

It’s recommended that if you have any of  thoughts, questions or concerns about the resumes you read, you should take them seriously and consider your “red flags”  prior to proceeding the recruitment cycle.

The general rule is that as long as the applicant has paid attention to spelling, and general presentation and is honest about work history, the resume is worth a second glance.  Perhaps a follow up phone call to confirm or deny your initial judgement

Ivana Agapiou

The post Please read between the lines———————- appeared first on Eather Recruitment.

Do you have a great chef who is ever-reliable, loyal and well-trained?

One of the biggest challenges affecting the hospitality industry is the task of finding appropriate kitchen staff. The lack of properly educated and trained employees can be a major problem.

The industry needs reliable, loyal, educated and trained employees!  Competition is intensifying more rapidly every day; it must surely be wise for management to implement long-term development and mentoring programs for their staff so that they can stay competitive and maintain good staff!

Often many experienced chefs leave the kitchen to find alternative employment. Low wages, long working hours and excessive discipline are amongst the more common reasons for their decision to quit their jobs.  However, there are 6 important factors that also influence their decision to move on.

1. staff shortages
2. excessive workloads
3. lack of feedback on performance
4. feelings of being undervalued
5. insufficient management support
6. poor communication between staff

The biggest challenge faced by the food and beverage industry is the availability of qualified personnel and motivated employees.  Analyse your current staff… and focus on their abilities and potential..  Could your Head Chef be mentored into a management position? What areas for career development can you offer?

Due to the difficulties in finding qualified and motivated employees and the cost of selecting and training employees, I recommend that Hospitality focus on their current personnel and seek ways to keep their motivation at maximum levels.  Sometimes the best ones are right under your nose!

Ivana Agapiou

The post Right under your nose… staff ready to step up! appeared first on Eather Recruitment.

Each role within hospitality is vital, especially front desk and this is often the first point of contact and the farewell… a lasting memory and important feature if you want repeat business. Don’t under-rate the genuine smile and welcome!

What a wonderful reception at the Port City Bowling Club…. Christie, the receptionist, has a natural, warm and welcoming nature that is emphasized by the best smile!  When I asked her how she is copes at a busy reception desk, and how does she always manage to make great eye contact, smile and greet EVERYONE…. her reply was .. ” Everyone has their bad day, but on these days, you must continue to provide good customer service and on your really good days, provide excellent customer service!”

Thanks Christie, you really did make my day and I am sure that many, many other guests were made to feel special, welcomed and invited to the Club. Congratulations on your positive attitude and well done to Port City Management for creating such a great atmosphere!

Ivana Agapiou

The post A Warm and Welcoming Reception! appeared first on Eather Recruitment.

The decision to implement a team uniform is often a debatable one. However, there are 3 distinct reasons you should consider uniforms.

Firstly,  it benefits you; secondly for your business,  and most importantly your customers will love it too!

What’s in it for you?

A uniform can compliment  the rest of your branding. It can easily align with the messages you are selling or the culture you are projecting/creating.  Your staff will be walking advertisements for your business and often performance is enhanced as they and work with a little more pride and importance. Also check out FBT opportunities!

What’s in it for the team?

Sense of unity, increase team spirit and don’t forget that when they don that uniform at the start of their shift, it triggers a psychological phenomenon of “lights, camera,action” a  Ready for work  signal. A uniform has real positive impact on behaviours as staff are more conscious of their actions and the impact that they may have.

What’s in it for your customers?

As customers, I’m sure you’ve all experienced searching for assistance, only to find that the person you approach is another customer!  A distinctive uniform  identifies the staff immediately.  A fashionable, trendy uniform adds atmosphere and “ambiance” to your venue.

Check out the great uniforms from The Corner Restaurant in Clarence Street, Port Macquarie… just a simple, fashionable apron adds that special something don’t you think? http://www.cornerrestaurant.com.au

The post Uniform Decision appeared first on Eather Recruitment.

Have you heard of “Accepting humble pie?”

It’s an old saying that deserves consideration.

Complaints and criticisms of your service or business is not always easy to digest. The first vital factor is  remember that this is not about you PERSONALLY, so try not be become immediately defensive and therefore appear a wee bit aggressive. Remain objective, assertive, humble and most of all Listen!

Regardless of how the customer chooses to voice their complaint/s or whether they are right or wrong (and yes the customer isn’t always right) as business owners, we need to take the compliant on-board.  Complaints are a way to track how your staff and your business is tracking, it’s often a measure of what is going well or wrong and it is also a way to find “patterns” and even irregularities in your products or service

Here are a few helpful hints to assist you to handle complaints in an objective and useful way

• ensure you have a clear complaints process, preferably written and that your staff are aware of how to behave when a complaint is made
• role model to staff how you would like complaints to be handled
• turn complaints into complements, by addressing the issues with humility, style and grace

Complaints are a great way to build strong and lasting customer relationships. It is also a measure of how you are going and how your customers feel. Without the customer we are no longer in business…

Ivana Agapiou

The post Take “personal” out of the complaint, and make it a great learning process appeared first on Eather Recruitment.

It’s always the simple stuff!

It’s the customer experience that really matters; it’s the little, thoughtful gestures and the extra service and that smile that lasts and lasts in the customer’s memory.

Yesterday my colleagues took me out for a very special  birthday celebration to a newly established Port Macquarie restaurant, Sea Salt.

Sea Salt were unaware that is was a birthday lunch, however,  when our host, Andrea, realized that it was a special occasion, she immediately engaged  with us in warm and personal way. In fact, we felt that she was providing us with more than the ordinary, expected service, she was providing us with “little, yet meaningful gestures and service”. Here are some of her “extras”

• Guests normally go to the counter to order, yet Andrea was more than willing to take our orders from our table
• She organised the pouring of champagne immediately – she could sense our urgency!
• Her positive attitude  helped to bolster our happiness as she responded sincerely to our jokes and joined in our party spirit
• Andrea did not interfere or interrupt our flow of conversation instead, allowed us privacy when needed
• She organised the tiniest birthday cake and candle – too funny!
• Lastly, at our request and without fuss, our Barista Marie,  added individual Alchemy Cordial products to our coffee! (check this out www.alchemycordial.com.au if interested in stocking these great flavors) I particularly loved the Coconut! 

In fact Andrea and her staff made us feel so welcomed  – we really did feel “at home” and kinda special! and YES we will return and tell others to go there too!

Thanks!

This quote from  Jay Denzi exemplifies the service we received…

Your your smile is your Logo; Your personality your business card; and how you leave others feeling after having an experience with you, becomes your trademark! 

Ivana Agapiou

The post The Simple Extras appeared first on Eather Recruitment.

Not just a detour! It’s a diversion worth the experience!

Who would have thought that on the busy Pacific Highway at Coolongolook, that a Cafe and restaurant, called The Salty Dog would be a winner?

Who would even know that the stop was worth every quiet minute and every cent?

I’ve  been stopping at the Salty Dog for over 5 years, every time I travel  to the Hunter Valley, Newcastle or Sydney,  I make the easy decision to make the tough, wide, U-turn and drive into  the Salty Dog car park. Yes, it’s out of my way, and often a pain, as is in  the opposite direction, however each time it’s a pleasure and worth the detour! Even though they advertise fresh seafood, I must admit that I have never purchased any

So,  what’s the attraction? Firstly, it’s a novelty place with loads of interesting re-cycled furniture and art works, secondly and most importantly, the coffee is great and the service friendly. Particularly, I always enjoy the breakfast!  It certainly is value for money!  The other great feature is the little extras you can purchase, like home made Sugar- Vanilla persevered Pears! These make great gifts and taste damn good too!

Next time you want to have a stop that will make you feel better in your travels on life’s highway – Stop and savour at the Salty Dog! Country hospitality at it’s best!

Ivana Agapiou

The post Added Value for the customer experience appeared first on Eather Recruitment.

Providing constructive feedback to your employees gives them with an insight into how their performance is progressing. However, for many of us, just the very thought of obtaining feedback creates anxiety and sometimes we get defensive, even before the event!

As employers, it’s our responsibility to give feedback. Yes, this delicate process can also create anxiety for the ‘giver”; however, its value in helping to identify issues and solve them is priceless. Employers must approach the feedback session in a positive way so that it can do what it’s intended to do: Help improve and grow your business.

Here are five hints that can get you on track to giving productive, useful and positive feedback:

1. Create a safe environment. Meet in a private place away from others. It’s not easy preventing “uncomfortableness” however; you can do your best to create a space that is non-threatening. You don’t have to be all “buddy-buddy” with an employee, however, stay calm and civil with your feedback approach. Don’t be mean-spirited. Your feedback usually won’t be productive if it’s focused on making the other person feel bad or make them look foolish in front of peers. Instead, create opportunities to build confidence and skills. This is especially effective when people are expecting to be graded.

2. Stay positive.Give at least as much positive feedback as you do negative. Positive feedback stimulates the reward center in the brain, “it feels good” – leaving the listener in a good frame of mind. Turn your negative feedback into “corrective” feedback. Give solid examples of what they did and how they could have improved the outcome indicate the adjustments that need in order to move forward. You don’t need to avoid negative, feedback altogether. Just make sure you follow it up with a suggested solution or outcome. Staff need to know how they can improve.3. Clear communication.

Staff generally respond better to specific, positive direction. Avoid saying things like, “You need to be more helpful with customers” It’s too “general” and ambiguous, and can be interpreted in a lot of personal ways. Provide specific examples and spin in the positive by perhaps saying, “You greet the customers with a great smile, I can see that they like you,  I also want to see that you can be of more assistance to them, you might ask them “is there anything else I can get for you?”

4. Be immediate.

Talk early, talk often, talk in private – The adult brain learns best by being caught in action. If you wait three months to tell someone that his or her performance is average, he or she usually can’t grasp the changes needed in order to change direction. It’s far too ambiguous and relies on memory, which can be faulty. Useful and productive feedback requires providing regular feedback. That way, performance reviews are just another discussion, not something to be feared

5. Be firm and fair.  Remain as objective as you can. When staff need a bit of re-diretion,and you have to give him or her feedback, start by asking his or her perspective on the situation. Resist saying how stupid his or her actions were, even if they were really silly.

Next, provide the objective, specific, forward-moving type of feedback outlined earlier. Ask them if they have understood what you both discussed, even ask them to summarise what they think they heard! That way you can both be sure that you are on the same page.  Ensure you have a current job description that outlines in writing what your expectations are. Signing off on the discussion may be a good way to cement the understanding and have something to refer back to at your next meeting with them.

The post 5 steps when Managing Staff performance appeared first on Eather Recruitment.

It’s a pleasure and you’re very welcome!

Many businesses in Australia like to say “no worries” when responding to customer praise, but really, is this best reaction?  It triggers negative thoughts… was there a problem? when in fact, your customer’s experience was positive!

Almost all cultures have a response to “thank you” and we need to improve ours! Start by training staff to smile, make great eye contact and say “It’s a real pleasure” or “You’re very welcome”!

One of my best experiences was when a Barista responded to me with “I want you to be 100% happy!

Any of these warm, genuine responses will leave a smile on your customer’s face and a lasting positive thought about your business!

 Thanks to the wonderful staff at Casualities Espresso for their bright, happy service!

The post Make your job easier and enjoy the customer interaction appeared first on Eather Recruitment.

Staff with the right stuff!

“Hospitality” – let’s explore the meaning from the ancients..

Ancient Greeks

To the ancient Greeks, hospitality was a “right”. The host was expected to make sure the needs of his guests were met. The Stoics regarded hospitality as a duty inspired by God himself

Celtic cultures

Celtic societies valued the concept of hospitality, especially in terms of protection. A host who granted a person’s request for refuge was expected not only to provide food and shelter to his/her guest, but to make sure they did not come to harm while under their care.

India

In India, hospitality is based on the principle, the guest is God. From this stems the Indian practice of graciousness towards guests at home and in all social situations.

The words hospital, hospice, and hostel also come from the word “hospitality”. They are all about giving personal care to people who are away from their homes.

Nothing’s changed!!

There is little point in spending a small fortune in advertising and promoting your business, if when guests arrive, they are not greeted like family!

I was raised on a simple principle by my industrious Italian parents – you don’t smile we no make tha money!

The ultimate goal of any café should be repeat customers who carry strong positive word of mouth for your business.

Fundamentally, they must know how to interact with customers and make them feel welcome.

The secret is the development of your hospitable staff into a well-trained team… hospitable team!

It’s one of the most challenging aspects of running a café! But worth the effort!

The right stuff

While it would be wonderful to have perfectly trained, seasoned staff lining up to work for you, the reality is very different. For example, every café owner is after the perfect, ready-to-go barista, but there just isn’t the supply to keep up with the demand.

For this reason, when hiring, it is crucial to focus on the “unteachable” traits of a prospective employee. The right person for the job may not be an espresso expert, but they will have the right attitude and disposition for a role which is essentially about dealing with people in a friendly, professional manner.

What to look for:

1. Contagious Smile – if they can’t smile at interview….
2. Personal approach – did they come to you?
3. Extroverts – a bubbly personality who will naturally engage with customers.
4. Potential – think about what skills and talent they already have and how you may be able to harness for your business

Raw potential

Hire your staff based on their potential rather than their experience/qualifications and it will open up a much wider pool of potentials. That’s not to say a little bit of experience isn’t helpful, but cafés need to understand that training is something that’s part of the café business.

A café should expect to take on staff that will require training in order to fulfil its staff requirements. It doesn’t matter if an applicant doesn’t have the technique in place – if they’ve got the right character traits and a positive attitude, they have real potential to become a great barista.

Train with good trainers

Most cafés may not have a qualified person to train their staff and/or baristas, which is where the importance of having the right coffee roaster partner comes in. Many cafés miss out on this key relationship because they don’t appreciate how much a good coffee roaster partner can do for their business.

A coffee-roaster partner isn’t just about the coffee – a good coffee roaster partner will also provide you with high quality training.

If your coffee roaster doesn’t provide this, you’re missing out on one of the most important parts of the partnership. Ideally, a coffee roaster will ensure both the owner and manager are both highly trained, at an expert level. Other staff can then be trained in a program offered by a reputable training organisation. It only takes one bad coffee to lose a customer, so making sure your entire team is highly trained is a necessity. High standards begin at the top and with the right support and guidance; the owner/manager will be able to transfer their expertise onto more junior staff.

Just as a restaurant wouldn’t dream of totally training a chef, cafés need to appreciate that they cannot train baristas to a high enough standard, which is why it is a major advantage to have a coffee roaster partner who has the training expertise behind them.

Astute café operators must be able to recognise whether the training offered is a simple marketing exercise or a genuine, effective training program.

Continually using your coffee roaster as a source of knowledge /advice will ensure you are up to speed on the latest developments in the coffee world.

Managing Café Employees

TALK EARLY – TALK OFTEN!

A good front-of-the-house manager must know more than just the restaurant business. He or she must know how to manage people effectively.
Good managers write everything down. They write clearly defined job descriptions with reasonable expectations along with common-sense boundaries.

For example, a waiter may be expected to clear and reset tables, but not to serve coffee. Also, wait staff are still responsible for turning their tables. A good manager clarifies the job requirements, this includes the tip protocol.  It should also include behavioural expectations.

Clear Behavioural expectations

All well and good to have a clear job description – don’t forget the behavioural aspects!

Reward professional, team cooperation and appropriate behaviour. Cooperative and efficient staff should get the shifts they want. Prove that refusal to follow directions can lead to a loss of shifts or loss of good shifts. The most challenging feedback is when a manager has to discuss “behaviour” .. much easier to provide feedback on “task’s”

By writing your expectations and staff responsibilities down, you protect yourself when a staff member complains about loss of shifts.

e.g., a staff member complains: “I’m rostered to work for next 2 Sundays!” You respond:

“It’s important that everyone on the team share the loads and do what is expected of them. I have clearly outlined that if you want to have a better mix of shifts, you will need to match these expectations, for example, yesterday you did not clear your table from the party of ten, and you left it for someone else to do.”  This meant we got behind and the new party of guests had to wait unnecessarily. This was not appropriate team behaviour, nor was it professional.

Café Challenges

As café manager, you have to take care of your staff. When controversy arises, have an appropriate system in place for employees to express their grievances. Avoid and do not tolerate staff members acting out their feelings while working.

• Be available. Allow staff to request time to speak with you.
• Listen to staff grievances. You need to understand what is happening to make an appropriate decision.

• Be firm. You met with staff members, listened, thought about the issues, and you have made a decision. Staff members are required to abide by your decision if they wish to continue to work with you.
• Clearly outline your grievance policy at the induction

Recognise and Reward

Everyone is motivated by different things… make sure you get to know your staff and most importantly, what part of working for you,  turns them on… and on… a couple of  good, simple  survey questions might  be “ What makes you want to come to work here each day”?  And “if you could improve your work environment, what would you like to see happen?”

Not everyone is motivated by money…. It could be as simple as..

• A good INDUCTION and on-boarding!! Make them feel welcome! First impression last a lifetime
• Lead by example!
• Further training & education opportunities
• Accreditation for their work
• Framed Certificate that recognises their work
• Weekly/Monthly Congratulations on best customer service Awards
• Take them out to another café and ask for their opinion/comparison
• Flexible rostering
• Genuine praise & positive feedback
• Be available to “listen”
• Suggestion/s for Café improvements taken seriously & appreciated
• There are tons more – want to find out? Ask them!

As in any business, you are only as good as your staff. A well-trained employee will put passion, technique and knowledge into each cup of coffee and every interaction with customers – they can make or break…

When your entire team is highly qualified and producing consistently superior service and products, your customers will return, time and time again.

A highly qualified and experienced team is worth hundreds of thousands of dollars a year to a cafe.  Invest in your staff, and you’ll be on the right road to making the most out of your café and your life!

Author – Ivana Agapiou

The post Staff with the RIGHT Stuff!! appeared first on Eather Recruitment.

Hear What People Are Really Saying

Listening is one of the most important skills you can have.

How well you listen has a major impact on your job effectiveness, and on the quality of your relationships with others.

We listen to obtain information.
We listen to understand.
We listen for enjoyment.
We listen to learn.

Given all this listening we do, you would think we’d be good at it! In fact we’re not. Depending on the study being quoted, we remember a dismal 25-50% of what we hear.

That means that when you talk to your boss, colleagues, customers or partners for 10 minutes, they only really hear 2½-5 minutes of the conversation.

Turn it around and it reveals that when you are receiving directions or being presented with information, you aren’t hearing the whole message either. You hope the important parts are captured in your 25- 50%, but what if they’re not?

Clearly, listening is a skill that we can all benefit from improving. By becoming a better listener, you will improve your productivity, as well as your ability to influence, persuade negotiate. What’s more, you’ll avoid conflict and misunderstandings – all necessary for workplace success. )

The way to become a better listener is to practice “active listening”. This is where you make a conscious effort to hear not only the words that another person is saying but, more importantly, to try and understand the total message being sent.

In order to do this you must pay attention to the other person very carefully.

You cannot allow yourself to become distracted by what else may be going on around you, or by forming counter arguments that you’ll make when the other person stops speaking. Nor can you allow yourself to lose focus on what the other person is saying. All of these barriers contribute to a lack of listening and understanding.

To enhance your listening skills, you need to let the other person know that you are listening to what he or she is saying. To understand the importance of this, ask yourself if you’ve ever been engaged in a conversation when you wondered if the other person was listening to what you were saying. You wonder if your message is getting across, or if it’s even worthwhile to continue speaking. It feels like talking to a brick wall and it’s something you want to avoid.

Acknowledgement can be something as simple as a nod of the head or a simple “uh huh.” You aren’t necessarily agreeing with the person, you are simply indicating that you are listening. Using body language and other signs to acknowledge you are listening also reminds you to pay attention and not let your mind wander.

You should also try to respond to the speaker in a way that will both encourage him or her to continue speaking, so that you can get the information if you need. While nodding and “uh huhing” says you’re interested, an occasional question or comment to recap what has been said communicates that you understand the message as well.

Becoming an Active Listener

There are five key elements of active listening. They all help you ensure that you hear the other person, and that the other person knows you are hearing what they are saying.

1. Pay attention.
   Give the speaker your undivided attention and acknowledge the message. Recognize that what is not said also speaks loudly.
   • Look at the speaker directly.
   • Put aside distracting thoughts. Don’t mentally prepare a rebuttal!
   • Avoid being distracted by environmental factors.
   • “Listen” to the speaker’s body language.
   • Refrain from side conversations when listening in a group setting.
2. Show that you are listening.
   Use your own body language and gestures to convey your attention.
   • Nod occasionally.
   • Smile and use other facial expressions.
   • Note your posture and make sure it is open and inviting.
   • Encourage the speaker to continue with small verbal comments like yes, and uh huh.
3. Provide feedback.
   Our personal filters, assumptions, judgments, and beliefs can distort what we hear. As a listener, your role is to understand what is being said. This may require you to reflect what is being said and ask questions.
   • Reflect what has been said by paraphrasing. “What I’m hearing is…” and “Sounds like you are saying…” are great ways to reflect back.
   • Ask questions to clarify certain points. “What do you mean when you say…” “Is this what you mean?”
   • Summarize the speaker’s comments periodically.

4. Defer judgment.
   Interrupting is a waste of time. It frustrates the speaker and limits full understanding of the message.
   • Allow the speaker to finish.
   • Don’t interrupt with counterarguments.
5. Respond Appropriately.
   Active listening is a model for respect and understanding. You are gaining information and perspective. You add nothing by attacking the speaker or otherwise putting him or her down.
   • Be candid, open, and honest in your response.
   • Assert your opinions respectfully.
   • Treat the other person as he or she would want to be treated.

Key Points:

It takes a lot of concentration and determination to be an active listener. Old habits are hard to break, and if your listening habits are as bad as many people’s are, then there’s a lot of habit-breaking to do!

Be deliberate with your listening and remind yourself constantly that your goal is to truly hear what the other person is saying. Set aside all other thoughts and behaviors and concentrate on the message. Ask question, reflect, and paraphrase to ensure you understand the message. If you don’t, then you’ll find that what someone says to you and what you hear can be amazingly different!

Start using active listening today to become a better communicator and improve your workplace productivity and relationships.

Ivana Agapiou Career Advisor  and outplacement Consultant

The post What is “active” listening? appeared first on Eather Recruitment.

What makes your staff “tick” – have you found out if they are actually satisfied with their job? What is their  main motivator ? Want to accelerate their potential?

Recent Survey findings may surprise you!

A recent Survey conducted by the employee engagement firm TINYpulse, involved over 200,000 employees in more than 500 organizations the question was:- “What motivates you to excel and go the extra mile?”

Employees could choose from 10 answers.  Interestingly, money – often simply assumed to be the major motivator – was seventh on the list of priorities. The findings were:

– Camaraderie, peer motivation (20%)

– Intrinsic desire to a good job (17%)

– Feeling encouraged and recognized (13%)

– Having a real impact (10%)

– Growing professionally (8%)

– Meeting client/customer needs (8%)

– Money and benefits (7%)

– Positive supervisor/senior management (4%)

– Believe in the company/product (4%)

– Other (9%)

The report went on to conclude, “Business must start intentionally finding high performing along with high culture fit employees.  Further, business must be ruthless when it comes to rejecting individuals who aren’t a “right fit”.  Even if they come across as a high performer, they can wreak havoc on the positive, collaborative culture you need to create.”

here is a simple survey to hand out to your staff…

Employee Job Satisfaction—Job Passion and Self-Evaluation

We would like to ask you about the kinds of positive experiences you have in your workplace

The post What motivates employees? find out appeared first on Eather Recruitment.

Our client is a National Iconic Furniture brand and they are seeking a “perky, professional and positive” sales person to compliment their existing dynamic team.  They have a loyal and repeat customer base and are seeking another member to assist them to help enhance their  customer experience within the home and surrounds market.

If you are a strong people person, who can work within a team whilst performing at your personal best than this is a role for you!

To be successful in this role you will need:

• knowledge of  home wares, interior decoration, decor, soft furnishings and colours coordination would be a distinct advantage,
• to posses a  passion for helping people
• to be available to work rostered shifts which do include the week-ends
• excellent customer service experience and skills
• computer knowledge and numeric competency

The hours can vary from 15 – 30 per week,  award casual retail rates apply. This is a long term job, and a great opportunity for someone who enjoys a fast pace as well as the challenge of the sale!

Please apply now

The post Retail sales consultant (Casual) – Position Closed appeared first on Eather Recruitment.