Great ideas

check your bank statement daily

First job in the morning as you enjoy that first cup of coffee or mug of tea; go on-line and check your bank statements. This will keep you totally up-to-date with what is / isn't in your bank! Be in control. Bank Charges for going overdrawn are an unnecessary business cost. A great course to consider is the BIIAB Profitable Business Portfolio - Unit 1 Profit and Loss and Budget Control

Flip chart and Pad

ask Santa for a flip chart - they are a great tool to assist with staff training and to use when planning or reviewing your business

Sales incentives

As Christmas approaches set each member of your team some sales targets. For example bottles of wine, liqueur coffees, bottles of champagne or perhaps desserts. As an incentive for each one sold either offer them a cash reward or give them points towards a big prize. Why not tempt your team with a colour TV or a week-end break in London hotel. Remember though to do the calculations as every incentive must be self financing i.e. you make sufficient profit to easily cover the cost. It is worth taking a look at the BIIAB Profitable Business Portfolio - unit 3: Motivating your Team

Send team members on a mission

Another great idea is to send members of your team on a mission to go and view what your competition are up to. Arm them with some money - the amount depending on whether it is for a drink or a meal.

Team Target Board

Put a whiteboard near to your team noticeboard and write on it targets for the week - e.g. Sales, number of covers, average spend per head, how many bottles of wine you want to sell. You can also note how well you did against the targets for last week.

The Trading Week

Think carefully as to what will be the start and finish of your trading week - it should not be a decision you take lightly!

Weekly Business Review

Schedule a formal business meeting at a regular time each week to discuss the business with key members of your team. This may include team members such your partner, bars manager, head chef and supervisor. Develop a set agenda which includes:

What's for tea?

A very simple traffic building idea. Pick one night of the week (a quiet one!), select a low cost dish and promote to your customers.