Coffee drink trends come and go, but one thing remains the same: it takes great people to make a great coffee shop.
So where do you find and how do you keep wonderful human beings (or should we say human beans) to keep your business percolating? By brewing up an amazing culture from the inside out.
1. Be picky.
Building a team doesn’t start with a Help Wanted sign. It begins with knowing what you want in an employee. Think about the culture you’re creating or reinforcing and how the right employees will make that possible. Vision-board the ideal employee by considering attributes like:
- Customer service skills: A friendly and approachable demeanor.
- Passion for coffee: Knowledgeable or eager to learn about coffee.
- Work ethic: Dependability and a willingness to work in a fast-paced environment.
- Team player mentality: Basically the ability to play nicely with others.
2. Be clear.
Ready to create your job listing? Make it (and your coffee shop) stand out by being clear and compelling. Communicate your cafe’s mission and values. Clearly outline the role’s responsibilities.
Underground tip:
Put customers to work busing tables (and the like) with clear instructions about where to sort dishes and compost food to reduce clutter and streamline cleanup.
3. Be visible.
Recruitment isn’t a one-and-done proposition. To get the word out and obtain the widest pool of applicants, use a mix of recruitment methods.
Consider social media platforms, which are a great way to highlight your culture, along with the usual recruitment suspects, like job boards and in-shop signage. And don’t forget the power of your people. Incentivize current employees with bonuses for successful hires.
Once you have applicants in the door, conduct meaningful interviews to assess the candidate’s fit, not only for the role, but also for your specific coffee shop.
4. Be competitive.
No matter how amazing your cafe is, people are looking for a job, not a place to hang out. Translation: compensation and benefits are key to attracting and retaining top talent. Research other cafes in your community to ensure that pay and benefits are commensurate with the community, the role, and the experience required.
Underground tip:
Can't offer health insurance? Explore other benefits, such as wellness perks, paid time off, food and beverage freebies or discounts, and scheduling flexibility that support a work-life balance.
5. Be worth sticking around for.
The hard truth: retaining great employees is as important as finding them. The cost of replacing an employee ranges from 50% to 200% (no, not a typo) of their annual salary.
Retention starts with fostering a workplace where employees feel valued, supported, and excited about going to work. Some ways to do all of the above:
- Provide clear communication: Don’t gatekeep on goals, expectations, or feedback. Tell your staff what the cafe needs to run strong.
- Show appreciation: Celebrate successes, acknowledge hard work, and offer small tokens of gratitude. The little things can mean everything.
- Encourage growth: Offer opportunities for advancement, such as training to become a shift leader or manager.
- Build camaraderie: Create a sense of community. Create team-building activities, encourage supportive relationships, and act as a mentor for employees.
- Actively listen: People need to feel heard. Listen to employee feedback to actively show that you value their input, to address concerns, and to gather ideas to improve operations. They’ll thank you. And so will your bottom line.
6. Be an advocate for culture.
There’s no business like your business. Brew up a culture that reflects your coffee shop’s unique personality, brand, values, and vibe. Earth advocate? Underscore your eco-conscious practices. Supporting arts fan? Support local artists, performing arts centers, and galleries. Ally for different groups? Foster and celebrate diversity.
7. Be open to easy.
Implement practices that streamline processes and double-down on delight.
Example: Get fast, convenient delivery of wholesale supplies right to your door with Barista Underground. You’ll not only save time and money, you’ll give your employees a better inventory experience and help ensure that you delight your customers with the best brands and products. Win-win-win.