Young people entering the workforce, or others changing industries, can struggle to find their footing as they start. This is as true in foodservice as anywhere else. While some people enter the industry as “part-time,” many more become lifers and the future of the industry. Recognizing talent and fostering achievement is critical for the long-term success of every foodservice organization.
It’s frequently said, and we agree, that a company’s greatest asset is its people. One of the best ways to keep quality talent and develop a harmonious work environment is through mentoring your employees. Quality mentoring in every part of the organization – from restaurant staff to administrators – is a crucial investment that translates favorably to your customers through your food.
Success in life requires hard work, but everyone could use a little help along the way. Tending the skills and goals of your individual employees is a powerful motivational tool to ensure their success.
One approach is to implement is a “mentoring tree” system. This method allows every employee to receive regular feedback beyond an annual performance review and provides the opportunity to discuss career development in a more casual manner. These should be on-going meetings and encourage reflective discussion.
A solid way to build your mentoring program is to identify your staff’s abilities through strength finder assessments and sharing the results with co-workers. It is a great team building activity for your employees to better understand each other and how they best operate. You might be surprised to learn something new about your staff or yourself.
Your chef may be really good at finances and have an interest in the business side. As your employees explore different roles, they learn to analyze the situations from different perspectives. This makes them better rounded and valuable not only to their current profession, but future ones as well.
With any new endeavor, it takes time to meet the end goal. So spend a few extra minutes talking with your foodservice employees and coworkers to determine their goals and what motivates them each day. You will find when you invest in your team they will invest in the performance of your company.
