4 essential things to consider when managing culture at a restaurant
What do you think about work culture? Is it the behaviors, attitudes, or interactions of the workers? Or is it something else, like the organization’s morale, values, and interests?
But what is culture? Culture is the behavior that results when a group arrives at a set of generally unspoken and unwritten “rules” to create a good work environment. Of note, some cultural values are written and expected.
The business culture within a restaurant varies significantly from unit to unit. For restaurant administrators to succeed, they must understand the right culture(s). That will be crucial to the success of its operation. Remember, it affects your people; we all know a restaurant cannot operate without people.
Let’s look at them.
Consider Language
Restaurant businesses are among the most welcoming environments for people of all nationalities. They remain one of the most robust physical representations of a melting pot in the professional world. Due to the nature of their business as a food establishment, language affects both the customers and the workers.
Who does not like to eat? Ideas and concepts can be blended in a restaurant with multiple nationalities to create a new culture. Language becomes a necessity due to the importance of communication. In the restaurant business, the language is food, and preparing it is music.
When developing your business culture, please consider this key factor. A misunderstanding or improper translation due to not fully understanding the focus language can lead to minor headaches.
Consider Behaviors
Behaviors in a business setting may also vary depending on which part of the operational hierarchy the employee works in. Top managers and mid-managers tend to behave more professionally and often demonstrate a higher professional appearance due to the importance of representing them and the business they are responsible for.
Posture and body language go a long way. At the lower levels, or the frontline, professionalism is still expected, as well as manners and presentation of the food and themselves towards building a good reputation.
Being professional creates a positive atmosphere and leads to a good work ethic.
When working on your business culture, please consider how you will manage, redirect, or even discipline behaviors that do not align with your expectations. Above all, make sure you are the master of that behavior.
Consider values
Having a customer satisfaction mindset while creating a fun work culture for their team allows them the opportunity to inspire and lead others. Businesses need to be wise and hire those who will help the company’s core values grow.
Groth reminds us of the importance of having the right people. “Companies sink or swim based on their internal culture. One bad hire can have a huge effect on morale, productivity, and ultimately, the bottom line.” (2013)
A person’s core values in the restaurant industry are confidence, honesty, and integrity. Being a teacher, a coach, a role model, a leader, and an expert are what I consider key success factors.
Outside of bad hires, a negative mindset is another culprit for the depreciation of values. At any level, a negative attitude becomes contagious, let alone dangerous, if not addressed immediately.
Consider its central belief (or purpose)
As a whole, the profession of being a business administrator at a restaurant must believe one thing: to serve all customers quality hot and fresh products, delivered with great hospitality. This belief becomes a purpose: selling a unique experience that separates you from the rest of the competition, thus building customer loyalty and return visits.
So consider your organizational beliefs and ask yourself whether they align with your goal. In the end, it’s all about serving the customer.
In conclusion
Whether it is a hierarchal culture, support culture, or hybrid culture. The values created cannot change. The same applies to organizational beliefs. Also, clearly understanding what behaviors will be allowed and how you will manage language barriers will help you be in control.
A code of conduct at a restaurant is established by the higher management but enforced by the frontline manager who runs the day-to-day operations. What becomes a reality is what is allowed to be done at the job, thus considered normal. Berberoglu H. adds, “A code of conduct is meant to encapsulate an organization’s beliefs and values, which must be internalized and used as a guide in all training sessions, given to all new employees, and explained in detail” (n.d.)
In the end, culture is influenced by these abstract things. However, there are also other factors that affect culture that are not mentioned here. If you’re looking for a good book on culture, check out this book.
Although this post is more restaurant-specific, these abstract items can apply to different kinds of businesses.
For more, click here.
References
This article is based on a previous college essay; its information is relevant enough that I felt compelled to share some of it with you, my dear reader.
Berberoglu H. (n.d.) Ethics in business. Foodrefrence.com
Retrieved from:
http://www.foodreference.com/html/artethics.html
Groth A. (Jan 22. 2013) Workplace Culture Is More Important Than Anything Else. Business Insider
Retrieved from:
http://www.businessinsider.com/workplace-culture-is-important-2013-1
