![]() Whether it’s finding suitable candidates or dealing with no-shows, acquiring new staff can be an ongoing headache for restaurant operators. But tech is helping to address some of the main pain points and bottlenecks – both for applicant and employer. For example, as a recent Modern Restaurant Management report says, restaurants can make it easy and fast for candidates to register their interest with them using a “quick apply” button where candidates can submit basic information about themselves, which, if accepted, will prompt them to submit a full application. From there, talent acquisition software can make it unnecessary to take the time to schedule candidate interviews – or even conduct them altogether. Candidates can simply answer questions via video recordings instead of during a formal interview. The software can then track the person’s position in the interview process so you both know where they stand. Looking at every step in your hiring process, there is likely a tool to help you automate or streamline it. Are there snags in your process that could be smoothed out with the help of tech tools? ![]() AI can be a useful tool when you’re looking to recruit new staff to your team. It can help you craft a compelling and factual job description quickly and automatically based on the information you provide. What it can’t do so well is communicate the less tangible nuances of your culture: what your team is like, what energizes them, and how people experience working at your restaurant, for example. That requires some human input and oversight. As a recent report from Modern Restaurant Management puts it, the people applying for a job with you should be able to feel “the bustling energy of a fast-paced kitchen, the warmth of a family-owned establishment, or the innovation of a cutting-edge culinary concept.” These are also the kinds of qualities that inspire connection and loyalty among your staff. So what is it about your restaurant’s culture, standards and values that sets your business apart from the restaurant across the street? How can you make sure people feel that when they read your job description – and that this feeling carries over seamlessly when they come through your front door? ![]() Foodservice sustainability was a key theme to the recent National Restaurant Association Show – and the tools and systems on display promoted benefits well beyond the environment. According to a Nation’s Restaurant News report, highlights of the show supported restaurants’ efforts around waste management, operational efficiency and food safety. Think eco-friendly fryers that reduce frying time, use less oil and may reduce oil vapors; AI-supported tech that helps operators track their food consumption and waste in real time; and sensors connected to the Internet of Things that can inform staff with greater precision when food that has been sitting out needs to be discarded, or if it’s still safe to serve. ![]() Managing the investment of new restaurant technology goes well beyond the up-front costs of tablets or other hardware. For each of your system components, you may have to consider everything from monthly costs for licensing software, to tech support charges, to credit card fees. Beyond the financial costs, consider those related to time and complexity too, such as the hours that will be required to train your team, the time you may have to take to troubleshoot legacy systems and all of the components they comprise, and the challenge of making sense of data silos across multiple technology vendors and within your own organization. One benefit of having a more vertical, streamlined tech stack is that you have fewer links in the chain to manage – and fewer that can fail. Investment now may help you prevent waste later. But first, it’s important to understand the problems you’re trying to solve. Analyzing your data to clarify what you’re doing well and where you have opportunities to improve can help you see where you can apply and streamline your tech solutions to the greatest benefit. |
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