Opening a restaurant is a complex task that involves numerous considerations, including menu design, decoration, staffing, and training. For new business owners, finding and training competent employees can be especially difficult. A capable team is critical for ensuring that your restaurant operates smoothly. To ensure that your staff adheres to the company’s operational protocols, it’s necessary to offer a comprehensive training program. John Smith, the new owner of a restaurant, believes that running a restaurant is a very challenging job. He knows that merely serving good food and having a pleasing ambiance is not sufficient for success. To be successful, overseeing staff management, implementing operational procedures, and keeping up with training methods are also essential. For John, achieving success is dependent on ensuring that his staff is both trained and motivated.
Any restaurant’s success depends on having a thorough business plan. It serves as a guide to aid in determining the existence of potential risks and opportunities and offers guidance on how to take advantage of them. A carefully crafted plan should include financial projections and marketing strategies because they can significantly impact success in the fiercely competitive restaurant industry. Get the restaurant business plan template here!
Well-trained Staff is a Must
One of the most important aspects of running a successful restaurant is ensuring your staff is well-trained. One way to accomplish this is through training videos. According to statistics from the National Restaurant Association, restaurants that use video-based employee training have seen an average improvement of 25% in their customer satisfaction ratings. Additionally, having source material such as online tutorials or instructional videos can be used as reference materials when onboarding new staff members which will save time and money spent on constant retraining sessions. We will share tips and steps on how to create effective training videos for your new restaurant.
-
Identify the Key Areas of Training
Before setting out to create a training video, identify the key areas that need to be covered. These areas may vary depending on the type of restaurant, menu, and service you offer. Common areas of training include food preparation, customer service, hygiene, safety, and cash handling. By identifying these key areas, you can create an effective training program that covers all essential aspects of running a restaurant.
-
Define the Objectives of the Training Videos
Once you have identified the areas of training, outline the objectives of each video. Consider the learning outcomes that you want to achieve from each training video. For example, the objective of a customer service training video may be to teach staff how to greet customers, take orders, and handle complaints. Defining the objectives helps you create focused and goal-oriented training videos.
-
Plan the Structure and Content of the Training Videos
An effective training video should have a clear structure, organized content, and a balance of visual and auditory elements. Plan out the script, storyboard, and visuals for each video. Use a combination of demonstrations, animations, and diagrams to explain complex concepts. Keep the videos short and concise to maintain the attention of the viewers.
-
Record and Edit the Videos
When recording the videos, use high-quality equipment and ensure good lighting and sound. Pay attention to the backdrop and ensure it is neutral and not distracting. Once you have recorded the videos, edit them keeping in mind the structure, content, and objectives of each video. Edit out any unnecessary parts, add subtitles, and ensure the videos are in the correct order.
-
Test and Evaluate the Training Videos
Before rolling out the training videos to your staff, test them on a sample group of individuals. Get their feedback and make necessary changes. Once the changes are made, roll out the videos to all the staff. Regularly evaluate the effectiveness of the training videos by conducting surveys, observing employee performance, and tracking the progress of the staff.
Restaurant Business for Economic Health
Restaurants are a key component of the economy, as they create jobs, drive economic development, and bring in tax revenues. According to a report by the National Restaurant Association, restaurants account for 4% of the U.S. Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and employ 11.3 million people in 2020 – representing 10% of the nation’s workforce.
Creating effective training videos for your new restaurant is a crucial step in ensuring your staff is well-equipped to deliver high-quality service. By identifying the key areas of training, defining the objectives, planning the structure and content, recording and editing the videos, and testing and evaluating them, you can create videos that are engaging, informative, and effective. Investing in appropriate training programs and resources upfront will pay dividends in the long run and help your restaurant stand out in a competitive market.