Restaurants are often targets for online critics, so if you’ve gotten zinged by an unfavorable post or two on Yelp or another review site, you’re not alone. Some things can’t be helped, but how you handle the negativity isn’t one of them.
Here’s a game plan for dealing with online critics:
Call a full staff meeting.
Come prepared with a few negative (and positive) Yelp posts that are credible and can offer teachable moments to your staff.
Constructively review the feedback as a group and talk about strategies for improvement.
Solicit comments from both the front and back of the house to get the whole story.
Reinforce the mantra that either “we all succeed together, or we all fail together.” Invested employees are more likely to be committed to the success of the business.
Make sure everyone on staff understands the protocol for handling a customer service issue and has the autonomy to correct a problem in the moment.
Be sure to address positive reviews, too. It’s important to keep morale up by talking about what’s being done well and giving praise.
Claim your restaurant’s Yelp listing so that you can manage your profile and make posts on behalf of your business.
Implement a policy of responding to both negative and positive reviews. Keep replies sincere and gracious: “Your feedback is important to us. We hope you’ll consider giving us another try.”
Depending on the nature and legitimacy of the review, you could invite the guest to continue the conversation offline, and discuss options for correcting the situation.
While none of these steps can undo a negative customer experience, they can be used constructively to fix a problem area and reduce the likelihood of a repeat occurrence. More importantly, addressing customer feedback and learning from mistakes sets you and your business on the path to long-term success.
Deciding whether or not it’s time to find a new job can be confusing. It’s difficult cutting ties when you’re unsure how far the fall is, however if one or two of these six signs ring true for you, it may be time to take that leap of faith and start searching for new opportunities.
You Aren’t Improving. Your career should be moving forward in at least one direction. For some, that means promotions or raises. For others, that means learning new skills or sharpening old ones. No matter what keeps you motivated, you should be experiencing some kind of forward momentum. If you aren’t, it’s a sign that your career has become stagnant.
Ask yourself this critical question: If you stay with this job another year, how will you progress? If you don’t have an answer or don’t like the one you came up with, it’s that time.
Your Company’s Future Isn’t So Bright. All companies experience ups and downs, so if your company is in one of those downs, try not to worry. However, if it looks like the unpleasant situation is bound to grow worse in the coming years, getting out early is advisable.
Are there more layoffs each year than the year before it? Is your company in a dying industry and doing nothing to differentiate itself? If any of these is the case, your company won’t be around for much longer, so move on to the bigger and better.
You Don’t Respect Your Boss. Jobs involve more than just the work; they involve people as well. As such, what would be the perfect job can be ruined by bad leaders. Your boss should be someone who inspires you, motivates you, and helps you learn new things throughout your career. If your boss is unsupportive, or incompetent, or some terrible mix of the two, don’t let yourself suffer any longer. Good bosses are hard to find, but it’s worth your effort to try and find them—or start your own business and become your own boss.
You’re Severely Undervalued. Your boss and co-workers should see you as an integral part of the team and recognize you when you’ve done exceptional work, whether it is with money or a simple “nicely done”. When your accomplishments aren’t acknowledged or your ongoing work isn’t appreciated, maintaining a high level of performance is challenging not to mention feeling satisfied with your job.
If this is the case more often than not, you owe it to yourself to look for a position where you’re not only valued, but where you feel valued.
You Aren’t Passionate About the Work. You’ll never have a job where you’re excited to go to work every day. That’s a fact. However, passion isn’t always about excitement or happiness; it’s about thriving in your environment and being motivated to continue.
So ask yourself this: Even if you’re stressed or angry about a problem at work, are you invested in solving that problem?
If so, then you should still consider yourself passionate. If you have no real interest in your work and you’re just going through the motions, it’s time to find a different calling.
You Don’t Fit the Culture. Company culture can make or break your work experience. When you fit in with the tone, the dress, the attitudes, and the behaviors of your workplace, the actual work is your focus. If your own work preferences are at odds with the culture, you’ll be preoccupied with just that instead of your job and you’ll never be able to reach your potential. In this case, unless you have the influence to actively change the culture of your workplace, the best path forward is to quit and look for a job closer to your ideal environment.
Obviously, one factor may not be enough reason for you to quit your job. Honestly, no matter how much you like a job, there will always be something that makes it difficult or unpleasant at times, and even bad jobs have their good sides. So don’t use this list as the be-all and end-all.
Instead, let it guide you in understanding your current situation and how you feel about it. Think mindfully but critically, try to separate your needs from your wants, and go with the decision that makes the most sense for you.
Last but not least. Remember that there’s no harm in exploring your options, and Sirvo is here to help! Sign up now to kick-start your job search.
Linger Eataury, the latest Denver dining establishment to be nationally recognized for its awesomeness, was named 2015 Restaurant Bar of the Year by Nightclub & Bar Media Group earlier this month, and rightly so!
The annual Nightclub & Bar Awards, established to honor “well deserving bars, nightclubs and lounges for excellence in the industry,” announced the 2015 winners in early March following a lengthy two-month selection period. Entries submitted by industry professionals on behalf of venues across the country were reviewed by a panel of recognized experts, who then determined the finalists and winners.
According to Jon Taffer, president of Nightclub & Bar and host/executive producer of Spike TV’s Bar Rescue, “the winners are visionaries who are instrumental in setting trends and forging the way for other hospitality venues,” and Linger most definitely fits the bill.
Situated in the former Olinger Mortuary garage – thus the name, which chef/owner Justin Cucci came up with by dropping the O and substituting Mor with Eat – this wildly popular restaurant/bar is the total package, from victuals to libations to aesthetics; the kitchen serves up a salute to the street food of the world, the mortuary theme is touched on without getting too kitschy (Linger tissues available for weepers, a “Harold and Maude” photo mural hangs over the open kitchen, funeral fans hang from a wall), and last but not least, the views overlooking downtown Denver are absolutely breathtaking.
Yup, it’s pretty obvious why locals and visitors alike haven’t stopped rushing the doors since they opened in summer 2011.
And now it’s official: Linger is the 2015 Restaurant Bar of the Year. Congratulations, it’s well deserved!
If you’re one of the many that has laid their heart on the line for a date with their server only to be shot down, fear not because those days are dead and gone. Here to assist in romancing your service industry crush are a few guiding principles, that if followed will earn you some serious consideration.
Same Rules Apply
Would you ignore someone you’re planning on asking out? What about making demands before getting a name? And throwing down insults about their work?
Hopefully the answer is no (and if it’s yes, it’s time to re-evaluate your game in general). Well, surprise! The same courting rules that apply to the general public also go for your server, host, bartender, etc. because we’re people too! So avoid the brush off, any version of “get me” especially without saying please and thank you, and any insinuation that we’re not doing our jobs to the utmost of our abilities. Basically, mind your manners and treat us how you’d like to be treated, or else you’re just digging your own grave in the dating department.
For most, this goes without saying, but better safe than sorry. Pet names are generally not appreciated, even if we put up a good front about their use. Neither is gawking, catcalling, and definitely not copping a feel.
Now you may not even be aware that you’re guilty of a few of these no-no’s, because let’s face it, sometimes when we’re not trying to be on our best behavior, things slip through the cracks. So, to counteract a few of the misses, don’t pass up an opportunity to show your appreciation of the work we’re doing so that you can enjoy yourself. Basically, do your best to be respectful because just that goes a long way.
If You’re Interested, Act Like It
Working in the service industry, specifically in the front of house, means that we literally serve others all day long. As far as dialogue, there’s very little in the way of engaging conversation. So it’s quite refreshing when we’re asked questions that go beyond the drink menu, perhaps even venturing outside of life at work, and getting a chance to actively participate in an exchange. Not only does this clue us in to your attraction, but may also ignite one of our own!
A word of caution: even if a conversation is going well, don’t guilt trip us if and when we have to attend to our other customers. It is our livelihood, after all. Instead, graciously let us go and leave us wanting more!
Love Don’t Cost A Thing
Sure, a big tip is always appreciated, but be careful about throwing around your money, credit cards included. Attempting to impress with the promise of cash bonuses is in most cases considered solicitation and, excluding special circumstances, is no way to gain affection, literal and otherwise. Even dressed up with promises of tomorrow, all you’ll get for tooting your own horn is payback. And you know what they say about payback…
Impress us with the immaterial, like your great sense of humor, infectious laugh, or even your total lack of coordination (sometimes it’s cute!).
Take A Hint
If your attempts at wooing go wayward, and even a bat can see that there’s no future (at least for the moment), then bow out with style. Don’t skimp on the gratuity, make a scene, or talk trash because no one wants to date a sore loser and, who knows, there may be a chance at redemption next time.
Know more secrets about charming your server (or any service industry employee for that matter)? Let us know here, or @gosirvo.
In a society that lives by the words, “never leave till tomorrow that which you can do today” and in which we are all just an email, phone call, or text message away from the work crisis of the hour, not to mention, in most cases having a virtual office at your disposal no matter where you are, it can be somewhat difficult to stop working and just live for a minute or two. However, experts agree: the compounding stress from the nonstop workday is damaging to overall well-being, and that maintaining a balance between work and personal life is integral for long-term success in and out of the office. Work-life balance looks different for every individual, but here are a few universal tips from health and career experts that can help you continue on the path toward fulfilling professional goals while carving out time for you and your loved ones.
Moderate perfectionist tendencies. The key to avoid burning out is to let go of perfectionism, says executive coach Marilyn Puder-York, PhD, who wrote The Office Survival Guide. Many of us develop perfectionist tendencies during higher education or our first jobs, however, “as life gets more expanded it’s very hard, both neurologically and psychologically, to keep that habit of perfection going,” Puder-York explains, adding that the healthier option is to strive not for perfection, but for excellence. Prioritize tasks and time according to what is necessary to accomplish your endgame, and stay focused on the overarching goal instead of the minute details.
Turn tech off. The ease of communication in this day and age has created expectations of constant accessibility, thereby allowing work to seep out of the actual workday and into time and space that should be dedicated to your personal life. “There are times when you should just shut your phone off and enjoy the moment,” says Robert Brooks, a professor of psychology at Harvard Medical School and co-author of The Power of Resilience: Achieving Balance, Confidence and Personal Strength in Your Life. Brooks says that phone notifications interrupt your off time and inject an undercurrent of stress in your system. So don’t just silence the work phone, actually turn it off. And if that isn’t enough to stop you from checking it, leave it at home. Make quality time true quality time.
Make time for exercise. Even when we’re busy, we make time for the crucial things in life. We eat. We go to the bathroom. We sleep. And yet one of our most crucial needs – exercise – is often the first thing to go when our calendars fill up. Exercise is an effective stress reducer. It pumps feel-good endorphins through your body. It helps lift your mood and can even serve a one-two punch by also putting you in a meditative state, according to The Mayo Clinic. This doesn’t mean spending 2+ hours pumping iron. Even 20 to 30 minutes of walking has major payoffs and can be worked into the busiest of schedules. If the weather is nice, opt for walking or biking to work instead of driving. Take your dog on a walk or stroll through the park with a friend. Even taking the stairs instead of the elevator fits the bill.
Limit distractions. First, identify what’s most important in your life. This list will differ for everyone, so make sure it truly reflects your priorities, not someone else’s. Next, draw firm boundaries so you can devote quality time to these high-priority people and activities. For those sucked into social media or internet surfing while at work, try using productivity software like Freedom or RescueTime. And if you find your time being gobbled up by less constructive people, find ways to diplomatically limit these interactions by politely excusing yourself. Focus on the people and activities that reward you the most. To some, this may seem selfish. “But it isn’t selfish,” says psychotherapist Bryan Robinson. “It’s that whole airplane metaphor. If you have a child, you put the oxygen mask on yourself first, not on the child.” When it comes to being a good friend, spouse, parent or worker, “the better you are yourself, the better you are going to be in all those areas as well.”
Delegate. Sometimes we forget that help is literally just a phone call away. So, instead of trying to do it all, focus on activities you specialize in and value most. Delegate or outsource everything else. Delegating can be a win-win situation, says Stewart Freidman, a management professor at the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School and author of Leading the Life You Want: Skills for Integrating Work and Life. Freidman recommends talking to the “key stakeholders” in different areas of your life, which could include employees or colleagues at work, a spouse or a partner in a community project. “Find out what you can do to let go in ways that benefit other people by giving them opportunities to grow,” he says. This will give them a chance to learn something new and free you up so you may devote attention to your higher priorities.
Start with baby steps. We’ve all been there: crash diets that fizzle out, New Year’s resolutions we forget by February. It’s the same with work-life balance when we take on too much too soon. Start small, find what approach works for you, then gain confidence from your successes in order to make more drastic changes that secure your own definition of work-life balance.
What strategies do you use to maintain a balanced life? Let us know here, or @gosirvo.
