Today is official Waiter/Waitress Day, so be extra kind to your wait staff today! And hey, it might even help you land a job or promotion. One call center company purposefully takes candidates for supervisory positions out to lunch to see how they interact with the wait staff, because they have this theory that how a person
interacts with dog, children, and wait staff is a particularity good indicator of their character.
Of course, it's in the wait staff's best interest to be kind and responsive in return. I'm fascinated by the numerous studies that delve into what makes a difference when it comes to the size of servers' tips. It's a great reminder that the small moments can make a significant difference when it comes to providing service and making a connection.
A study reported in The Journal of Hospitality Management found that when servers leave a smiley face emoji on receipts their tips go up by an average of 11%. Repeating back your order builds trust. Adding the words, "for you" increases tips, as in, "Is there anything else I can do for you?" Being truly present and not just attentive helps. And reading the tables' mood and needs and adapting
their approach is a surefire way to score higher tips.
And offering something unexpected can make a difference. One study found that tips for servers at a New Jersey restaurant rose by 3% when diners were offered a small chocolate after their meal and increased by 14% when offered two chocolates.
Now here's the fascinating part. When they were offered three chocolates their tips didn't increase, however, when the server offered one chocolate and then returned to the table to offer a second chocolate as an added surprise because they had been "such a fabulous table," the tips jumped up by 21%.
Mike's Fun at Work Tip
May 25th is Nerd/Geek Pride Day so why not use this as motivation to hold a Nerd pride theme days sometime in your workplace? Hold a contest for the best dressed "nerd" on your team. (Safety tip: Please make sure they are participating in the contest, and not just, you know, wearing what
they normally do!)
Quote of the Week
"Stay away from negative people. They have a problem for every solution." Albert Einstein
Funny Business
As seen on a shirt label:
These shirts were tested on animals. They didn't fit.
Cost-Saving Opportunities to Book Michael
Kelowna/Penticton: June dates
Toronto: June 9-13
New Brunswick: June 19-27
Toronto: September 1-7
Quebec City: September 24-26
Edmonton: October 1-3
The Jerk-Free Workplace: How You Can Take the Lead to Create a Happier Workplace
Now, just to be clear, I am not suggesting that YOU are the jerk! This book is for everyone, at all levels of the organizational tree, who want to step up as a leader, improve their mindset, communicate more effectively, and contribute to a more collaborative, happier, and yes, fun workplace.
"The Jerk-Free Workplace should be mandatory reading for every employee!" Ron Friedman, Ph.D, author of The Best Places to Work