The Secret Sauce to Scoring More Free Time from your Restaurant
A 3 min read.
I’ve always said that the true test of a successful business and leader is whether it can run without you.
My client had a hard time unplugging from running his restaurants because his team constantly reached out with questions. He was experiencing burnout and desired more days off to spend with his family, but the constant interruptions were hindering that.
We decided to review the communication from his team to him via email and text over the last 30 days. We identified common threads and then pinpointed items that might require a standard operating procedure (SOP) to address the root cause of the issue. Subsequently, we held a meeting with the managers to discuss their pain points and understand how those aligned with their constant questions.
What we discovered was that the managers had similar questions across locations and needed support to streamline inventory, item delivery, and training from one location to another. After strategic conversations with my client and his managers, we created the necessary systems, gained buy-in from the management team and staff, and implemented these systems.
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This streamlined operations, allowing my client to focus more of his time and energy where he wanted, rather than being pulled in many different directions. In this article, I will teach you how creating SOPs can benefit you and your business as well as give you tips on how to create and implement those SOPs.
Here are 5 ways creating standard operating procedures (SOPs) for your business can enable you to step away from your business for days off, vacations, expansion, etc.:
1. Delegating tasks: SOPs provide clear instructions, making it easier for team members to carry out tasks without constant oversight. SOPs also turn your team into problem solvers once they know where to go for answers.
2. Consistency: Regardless of who is completing the task, with SOPs in place, the quality remains consistent, resulting in fewer mistakes and fewer fires to put out.
3. Training: SOPs serve as an excellent training manual for new employees, reducing onboarding time and increasing preparedness for the role, which reduces turnover.
4. Efficiency: With clear procedures, employees can work efficiently, increasing productivity and giving you more time and energy to focus on developing your team and growing your business.
5. Accountability: SOPs help track performance and hold individuals accountable for their work.
With SOPs in place, your restaurant breathes, operates, and delights your customers even in your absence. It's just what you had envisioned when you started. SOPs may take time to create, but you don’t need to do all the work yourself. Reach out to your community for shared resources and tap into the experts on your team, asking them to collaborate with you on creating these systems. The more buy-in you have from your team, the better the implementation process will be.
To start a conversation about how to create SOPs for your business, let’s connect.
So, once these systems have been created, how do you implement them? I’ll show you how now:
1. Communication is key: Announce the new procedures and explain their benefits to your team. Everyone should understand WHY this change is happening.
2. Train your team: Walk them through the SOPs. Ensure they comprehend their individual roles and responsibilities. Make training an ongoing process.
3. Attend to feedback: Your team, being on the frontline, might notice potential improvements. Be open to suggestions and make necessary adjustments.
4. Monitor and review: Set a review period. Analyze the effectiveness of the SOPs and tweak where needed.
5. Patience and persistence: Remember, it's okay to take baby steps and make gradual progress.
So, here's the deal: kicking off those SOPs is like starting a journey to make your restaurant hum even more. Put in the time and effort now, and you're basically investing in a better experience – think top-notch performance, higher profits, and an environment where everyone's on the same page.
SOPs are the secret sauce to scoring more free time. Instead of grinding harder, switch to a smarter game plan. Take a breather, not by hustling more, but by doing things cleverly. Your restaurant and your sanity will thank you.
If you want help strategizing how to implement your SOPs, let’s connect.
P.S.
Whenever you are ready, here are several additional ways I provide daily support to hospitality leaders.
Calling all restaurant owners and operators!!! The No Hesitations Leadership Podcast is here. There is no time like the present to listen in and level up your leadership. Click here to subscribe or follow.
If you are a restaurant owner looking for a strategic partner to scale your business, retain and develop your managers, let's connect. Email me at christinlmarvin@gmail.com or you can even text me at 719-494-6074.
(Rest assured, I won't attempt to sell you anything.)
If you are a hospitality leader looking to level up and position yourself for career advancement without sacrificing work-life balance, let’s start a conversation. Email me at christinlmarvin@gmail.com
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Love, Christin
