The Golden Arches and Beyond: An Interesting Dive into Fast Food Facts

Posted on August 14, 2023 by zippybeck

If Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, and Jeff Bezos walked into a fast-food joint, they might just order up some spicy nuggets of wisdom for us all. But since I can’t channel them, let’s don our own hairnets of curiosity and dive into the sizzling world of fast food, sprinkled with a dash of humor and a side of fries.

Ah, the fast food industry! The beacon of a speedy meal, the realm where 3.8 million hard-working souls turn potatoes into golden fries. Now, I’m not saying fast food has the economic gravity of Apple, Microsoft, or Amazon, but with a crispy $200 billion revenue in 2021, it’s hardly small potatoes either. 🍟

Now, picture young Timmy, the 16-year-old flipping patties. He’s part of the bustling 30.7% of teenage employees, eagerly saving up for his first car (or a new video game console). On the other side, we have Martha, the single parent, trying to juggle work and family, making up the 20% of single-parent employees. Don’t forget wise old Dave, part of the 40% of workers above 25, sharing stories of “how fries were made back in his day.”

Joking aside, it’s concerning that while they serve up meals on the double, their earnings barely make up a meal at a fancy restaurant: an average of $10.92 per hour. If you’re thinking of ordering a dash of benefits with that job, think again. A mere 26% get that luxury.

If these numbers had a face, they might just resemble a harried waitress named Wendy, balancing trays and managing not to get burned. Oh, speaking of burns, 71% have reported on-the-job injuries. It makes you wonder if the lack of unions (with less than 2% being unionized) is why there aren’t more safety nets, or at least protective mittens.

And, in the midst of all the fryers and grills, there’s an undeniable feminine touch. Approximately 63% of these employees are women. Add in a dash of international flavor with 14% of the workforce being foreign-born. Talk about a global special!

Let’s make a pit stop at the famous golden arches. In 2021, McDonald’s alone was responsible for employing a whopping 205,000 people worldwide. If they ever decided to form a city, it would be “Burgeropolis.”

The landscape of this industry has changed dramatically. From 200,000 establishments in the late ’90s to a hearty 300,000 by 2020. Yet, there’s a looming cloud (and it’s not just the scent of grilling patties): Automation might snatch 4.3 million jobs by 2030. If ever there was a time for a visionary innovator in the fast-food sector, it’s now.

But, as daunting as it sounds, we Americans and our insatiable love for fast food aren’t fading. 37% of us happily munch on it daily, proving that its taste, or maybe just the convenience, is here to stay.

Whether you’re a burger-flipping teenager, a multitasking parent, or just someone enjoying their drive-thru coffee, the fast-food universe is vast and filled with stories (and calories). The next time you’re savoring that burger, remember there’s a world behind the counter, bustling, frying, and trying.

Sources:

A bunch of really smart sites that study everything from fries to finance. Check them out if you’re hungry for more details!

Taking Subjectivity and Bias out of the Interview Process: A Blueprint for Business Success

Posted on August 7, 2023August 7, 2023 by zippybeck

Picture this: A serene lakeside, three titans of the tech world – Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, and Jeff Bezos – beside you. Now imagine them giving you sage advice on hiring. This vision encapsulates the wisdom of Forbes, Psychology Today, and Harvard Business School. For every business owner seeking to elevate their company, mastering the hiring process is crucial. Here’s a blueprint, woven with specific tips and the tantalizing results of getting it right.

1. Embrace Self-Awareness

Tip: Engage in introspective strolls through nature.
Inspiration: Imagine a forest. Every tree, unique in its twists and turns, contributes to the collective beauty of the woodland. Similarly, a team selected without biases is like this forest, diverse and thriving. Such a team brings myriad solutions, stemming from different viewpoints, akin to the diverse trees of the woods.

2. Structure: The Bedrock of Fairness

Tip: Craft a questionnaire as solid and unchanging as the mountain ranges.
Inspiration: Just as every river flowing from a mountain follows a consistent path carved over time, standardizing interview questions ensures everyone sails on the same current, eliminating the capricious whirlpools of bias.

3. Precision in Job Criteria

Tip: Carve out the exact mold like a sculptor does with marble.
Inspiration: When you know precisely the statue you’re sculpting, you waste no marble. Similarly, clear job criteria ensure you recruit individuals tailor-made for the role, optimizing resources and boosting efficacy.

4. A Mosaic of Perspectives

Tip: Assemble a panel as varied as a wildflower meadow.
Inspiration: Just as different flowers bring out the best in a meadow, varied interviewers with distinct backgrounds can collectively spot the gems amidst the gravel, ensuring a holistic and informed hiring choice.

5. The Blind Spot

Tip: Wear blinders, like a focused racehorse, to irrelevant details.
Inspiration: Racing ahead based solely on ability, blind recruitment ensures that your team’s prowess mirrors the true mosaic of skills available in the broader world.

6. Never Stop Learning

Tip: Constantly water and nurture the minds of your hiring teams.
Inspiration: Just as plants grow best with regular care, investing in diversity training enriches your company’s culture, turning it into a lush garden that attracts the most vibrant of talents.

7. The Power of Feedback

Tip: Think of it as echoes in a canyon – what you put out returns to you.
Inspiration: Like a hiker tuning into the echoes to navigate terrains, feedback after interviews guides you towards the right paths, ensuring you always secure the finest recruits.

8. Marrying Technology & Humanity

Tip: Think of tech as the compass, but your heart as the true north.
Inspiration: While tech can quickly sift through the grains, the human touch adds that sprinkle of magic, ensuring your company isn’t just efficient but also warm and welcoming.

9. Avoid the Echo Chamber

Tip: Build a roundtable of knights, each with their own tales and triumphs.
Inspiration: Just as every knight at the round table brought unique tales and perspectives, valuing individual voices ensures a depth of decision-making, shielding against the perils of group biases.

10. Perfecting the Loop

Tip: Constantly polish and refine, like the endless lapping waves on a shore.
Inspiration: As the shoreline changes with every wave, revisiting hiring practices ensures you’re always in sync with the dynamic world, poised to welcome every tide-turner.

Just as an angler knows the art of patience and precision, every business owner should finesse their hiring artistry. With this blueprint as your guide, not only will your net be filled with the best, but your business will flourish with innovation and vigor. Dive deep into these strategies, and perhaps, one day, tales of your success will echo alongside those of our tech legends.

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Navigating the Wilderness of Job Hunting

Posted on July 31, 2023July 31, 2023 by zippybeck

A job search can often feel like being adrift in a forest, beset on all sides by the overgrowth of indecision, misinformation, and incessant, silent rejections. Like Steve Jobs, I believe in challenging the status quo, and like one of my favorite wilderness authors Patrick F. McManus, I reckon there’s an inherent humor and a nugget of wisdom nestled in the heart of every obstacle. So, let’s put on our boots, grab our trusty metaphorical compass and navigate our way through the top 10 common job search difficulties of 2023.

1. Lack of clarity about job goals

Life isn’t about connecting the dots looking forward. But you do need to know the general direction where the dots are. If you’re not sure, think about what you loved doing as a kid. What was that one thing that made the hours slip away unnoticed? Start from there and work backwards.

2. Fear of rejection

In the wilderness, fear is not your enemy, but complacency is. Remember, as Steve Jobs said, “you’ve got to be willing to crash and burn.” Rejection is just a sign that you’re pushing boundaries. Keep pushing.

3. Dealing with job search stress

If stress were a bear, most of us would be up a tree without a paddle. Or maybe up a creek without a tree. The point is, it’s a challenge. Remember to relax and find humor in your predicament. Believe me, you’ll laugh about all this someday.

4. Difficulty finding jobs in your field

Imagine you’re in the wilderness and you can’t find the elusive elk. Do you give up? No, you become the elk. Understand the mindset of your employers. Find their watering holes (LinkedIn, Industry forums) and make your presence known.

5. Handling the Silent Treatment

When you shout out into the wilderness and only echoes respond, it’s easy to feel lost. But silence isn’t a sign you’re off track. It’s just a quiet stretch on your journey. Keep walking, keep shouting, and someone will hear you.

6. Sifting through too much information

The Internet is a forest where every tree looks identical and each is shouting for your attention. To navigate, you need to develop an instinct for what’s important, what’s superfluous, and what’s a squirrel trying to sell you insurance.

7. Balancing current job with job search

It’s like trying to pitch a tent in a windstorm while fighting off a raccoon with your other hand. Keep your focus, prioritize your time, and maybe throw the raccoon a sandwich to buy some peace. Remember, there’s a time for everything.

8. Lack of confidence

In the grand narrative of your life, confidence is the hero, self-doubt the villain, and the wilderness is your stage. Write a story where the hero wins. Confidence comes from action, from overcoming, and from finding laughter in the face of adversity.

9. Long, drawn-out application processes

Job applications can sometimes feel like trying to assemble a tent using an oar, a fishing hook, and duct tape. But remember, persistence pays off. Every step forward, no matter how small, is still a step forward.

10. Ineffective networking

Some people seem to be born networkers, just like some people seem to be born with an uncanny sense of direction. But networking is a skill you can learn. Start by being genuinely interested in other people and remember, everyone you meet knows something you don’t.

Navigating the job search wilderness is no easy task. It’s full of winding paths, steep hills, and perhaps the occasional grizzly bear. But with the right mindset, a good sense of humor, and a trusty compass in hand, you can make your way through it and reach your destination. So, lace up those boots, roll up your sleeves, and step confidently into the wilderness.

And remember, you don’t have to navigate this wilderness alone. ZippyApp is here to guide you, providing insights, job listings, and a community of fellow adventurers. We invite you to follow us on LinkedIn and Facebook for more advice, updates, and a dash of humor to brighten your journey. As you push forward on your path, let ZippyApp be your companion.

Building Robust Teams for QSRs and Fast Casual Restaurants

Posted on July 24, 2023July 31, 2023 by zippyapp

Future-Proofing your Workforce in an Ever-Changing Industry

The Quick-Service and Fast-Casual dining world, a vibrant sector dancing on the stage of modern business, is in the throes of transformation. This dynamism is twirling to the rhythm of tech evolution, customer trends, and labor flows. Pivotal to weathering this whirlwind is cultivating an effective and forward-thinking approach to managing your workforce.

A challenge that emerges from this dance, as illuminated by the insightful report by Trail in 2023, is the pressing shortage of labor in the hospitality sector. The heart of this challenge beats not just in securing the right personnel, but also in ensuring they remain within the fold. This predicament of retention is accentuated in the fast-paced ballet of Quick-Service and Fast-Casual eateries, notorious for their high turnover rates.

The secret to triumphing over these labor hurdles? A sterling employer brand. Remember, the reputation of your restaurant stretches beyond the taste of your cuisine and the aesthetic appeal of your premises. It permeates into the realm of your perception as an employer. With the advent of online reviews and social media, your reputation as an employer lies in the open, making brand management a necessity rather than an indulgence.

Crafting an impressive employer brand is akin to a well-rehearsed ballet—it takes time, patience, and careful execution. The opening act is nurturing an inclusive and supportive workplace. Champion your values, develop the talents of your staff, and provide opportunities for growth. Make open communication the norm, invite feedback, and respond with action. Show your employees they are the heartbeat of your enterprise and their contributions matter. Such fulfillment not only increases productivity but also turns your staff into advocates for your business, painting a positive image for potential talent and patrons.

A note-worthy trend cited by Exploding Topics is the blossoming of ‘Ghost Kitchens’. This model centralizes kitchen operations, reducing the need for customer-interfacing staff, offering an alternative solution to the labor puzzle. But let’s not forget, even in such setups, the power of a dedicated team is irreplaceable.

To waltz smoothly through the obstacles the Quick-Service and Fast-Casual industry presents, businesses need to orchestrate a comprehensive strategy. A rhythm of efficient hiring, effective retention tactics, and a striking employer brand could form the symphony of successful enterprises.

But the choreography gets complex. This all needs to be performed on a stage where labor regulations are tightening their grip. Be it minimum wage stipulations or workers’ rights regulations, businesses must keep a keen eye on the evolving regulatory environment to stay on the right side of the law. Striking the right balance between business profitability and legal compliance is now the name of the game.

The uncertainties that the future holds should be perceived not as looming shadows, but as spotlights on opportunities waiting to be seized. As we guide you through this fascinating dance of change, remember to stay nimble, stay flexible, and keep your people at the core of your strategies. They are not just the challenge – they are the keys to the solution.

Breaking News: ICE Ends Form I-9 Virtual Remote Inspection

Posted on July 21, 2023July 21, 2023 by zippyapp

July 21, 2023

The United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has made a significant announcement, putting an end to the Form I-9 virtual remote inspection. Initially introduced as a measure to help employers navigate the challenges posed by the pandemic, the flexibilities will cease to be in effect as of July 31, 2023. Employers now have until August 30, 2023, to comply with the in-person Form I-9 document inspection requirements.

The temporary COVID-19 flexibilities allowed employers to remotely inspect I-9 documents for employees working from home due to the pandemic. However, as the situation has improved, ICE is phasing out these virtual inspections. Employers who have been relying on this policy must act promptly to ensure all I-9 forms completed under this exception are physically inspected by August 30, 2023.

Understanding the Temporary COVID-19 Flexibilities

The Form I-9 is a vital component of the hiring process, serving to verify the identity and employment eligibility of new hires in the United States. Employers must complete the I-9 form within three days of hiring an employee and retain it for three years from the date of hire or one year from the date of termination.

To accommodate pandemic challenges, ICE introduced a temporary policy in March 2020, allowing for virtual inspections of I-9 documents. This policy was later expanded in April 2021, providing further flexibility to companies as they gradually brought back employees. However, it’s essential to note that these flexibilities were never meant to apply to permanent remote employees.

Ensuring Compliance and ZippyApp Onboarding as the Solution

With the expiration of the temporary COVID-19 flexibilities on July 31, employers must now prioritize accuracy and compliance in handling their I-9 forms. Any errors or omissions must be promptly corrected within ten days of discovery to avoid severe penalties and legal repercussions.

Enter ZippyApp Onboarding, the cost-effective and expedited solution for handling I-9 forms. As you transition back to in-person inspections by August 30, 2023, ZippyApp Onboarding offers a secure and user-friendly platform for employers to create, manage, and store I-9 forms with utmost accuracy and security. Its electronic I-9 system includes automatic error-checking and alerts, ensuring compliance and quick identification of any issues that may arise.

The Time to Act is Now

As an employer, it is crucial to be aware of these changes and take immediate action to ensure compliance with the updated Form I-9 requirements. Don’t let the deadline pass without proper verification of your employees’ I-9 forms. ZippyApp Onboarding is your reliable partner in this endeavor, making the process seamless and hassle-free.

Stay ahead of the game, make the switch to ZippyApp Onboarding, and ensure your Form I-9 compliance is airtight. Avoid potential risks and focus on your business’s growth and success with the help of this cutting-edge solution.

Remember, the deadline for in-person Form I-9 document inspections is fast approaching – August 30, 2023. Act now and embrace the efficiency and security offered by ZippyApp Onboarding. Ensure your company’s compliance and keep your workforce moving forward confidently.

Visit our website www.zippyapp.com to learn how ZippyApp Onboarding can streamline your I-9 process and provide a secure, user-friendly platform for managing all your I-9 forms.

Inquire today here to get started and discover how our electronic I-9 system will make your Form I-9 compliance journey seamless and stress-free.

Don’t miss the August 30, 2023 deadline – Ensure your Form I-9 compliance with ZippyApp Onboarding now!

Navigating the Dynamic Landscape of Hourly, Service, and Hospitality Labor

Posted on July 10, 2023July 31, 2023 by zippyapp

Welcome to another exciting discussion on the ZippyApp blog, your go-to platform for all things related to the hourly, service, and hospitality labor markets. Today, we’re going to delve into some fascinating data trends that are shaping these sectors, courtesy of a recent study by Reuters. Let’s strap in for a journey filled with insights, trends, and useful tips that can transform your business landscape.

Understanding the Labor Market’s Shifting Currents

Jobs have always been the lifeblood of any economy, and this couldn’t be truer for the hourly, service, and hospitality sectors. The labor market can feel like a roller coaster ride at times, with factors such as technological advancements, economic fluctuations, and now, global pandemics, throwing in unexpected twists and turns. Knowing how to navigate this landscape effectively can help your business not just survive, but thrive.

In 2023, we’re seeing some fascinating trends emerge. The top professions, when analyzed on a state-by-state basis, present a mosaic of opportunities. For instance, in the hourly sector, many states such as New York, Texas, and California are witnessing a high demand for retail salespersons and cashiers. In the service industry, personal care aides, home health aides, and registered nurses are leading the pack, especially in densely populated regions like Florida. This data highlights the importance of tailoring your hiring strategies to match regional trends.

The Impact of Wage Growth on the Job Market

When it comes to wage growth, it’s a mixed bag. Many roles in the service industry are seeing a boost, which is great news for employees in this sector. But here’s a twist: while higher wages can attract more potential candidates, they can also cause a bit of a conundrum for businesses looking to balance their budgets. For businesses operating in states with high minimum wage rates, it’s essential to adopt innovative strategies to maintain profitability while still offering competitive wages.

Embracing the Rise of Flexible Work

One trend we can’t ignore is the growing popularity of flexible work. The rise of the gig economy is creating a seismic shift in the labor landscape, especially in the hospitality sector. In this fast-paced digital age, people are seeking the freedom to choose when and where they work. Businesses that adapt to this trend can tap into a pool of enthusiastic, flexible, and talented individuals ready to help your enterprise shine.

Making Smart Moves in a Dynamic Landscape

With the labor market in a constant state of flux, it’s crucial to stay one step ahead. By leveraging data-driven insights and following these key strategies, your business can effectively navigate the evolving trends of the hourly, service, and hospitality sectors.

Monitor regional trends: Keep a close eye on job trends specific to your business location. Tailor your hiring strategies to match these trends and meet your staffing needs effectively.
Balance wage and budget: Understand the implications of wage growth and its impact on your business. Ensure that you’re offering competitive wages while maintaining your budget.
Adapt to flexible work: Embrace the gig economy and offer flexible work opportunities. This will help you attract a pool of enthusiastic workers, ready to take your business to new heights.

In this exciting and ever-changing world of work, your journey is just beginning. Stay tuned to the ZippyApp blog for more insights, tips, and trends on navigating the dynamic landscape of hourly, service, and hospitality labor. Remember, the key to thriving in these sectors lies in adaptability, innovation, and strategic foresight. Happy navigating!

ZippyApp Seizing the Day

Posted on July 6, 2023 by zippyapp

Leading the Charge in a Booming Job Market

July 6, 2023

In a world where economies are swiftly adapting to post-pandemic realities, the American job market in May 2023 has delivered a pleasant surprise, outperforming expectations and painting a promising landscape for the future. And right in the middle of this exciting upswing stands ZippyApp, a rising tech star transforming the hiring landscape.

As reported by CNN, the May 2023 jobs report has defied the odds, indicating an addition of 559,000 jobs — a stark contrast to April’s discouraging numbers. This bounce-back has been embraced by a wide range of industries, but the most fascinating story is arguably that of ZippyApp’s role in this economic revival.

ZippyApp, an innovative mobile application and online hiring solution, is setting a new benchmark in the hiring ecosystem. Through its strategic approach to connect job seekers with employers in real-time, the platform has become a crucial player in the resurging job market, especially within the service and hospitality sectors.

The resilience of the American economy, which has rebounded despite the setbacks of 2022, and the optimism coursing through its veins, is commendably reflected in ZippyApp’s exponential growth. An increasing number of employers are turning to this revolutionary platform for its multifaceted benefits – speedy recruitment, effective applicant tracking, and superior match-making algorithms that link the right talent with the right job.

As the country witnesses a surprising uptick in the labor force participation rate, ZippyApp is successfully addressing one of the most critical challenges in the post-pandemic world – unemployment. But the work doesn’t stop here.

The company has amplified its commitment to being a reliable ally for job seekers and businesses alike. ZippyApp has crafted comprehensive resources for job seekers to enhance their skills, write compelling resumes, and ace interviews. For businesses, it offers an efficient hiring platform, reducing the time-to-hire while ensuring quality candidates come on board.

This wave of hiring hasn’t come without its set of hurdles, though. Companies are facing pressure to offer higher wages and better benefits to attract and retain workers in a competitive market. Here too, ZippyApp plays a pivotal role. By providing a transparent platform where employers can showcase their offerings and job seekers can easily compare them, it’s helping ensure that the benefits of the improving job market reach workers.

With the unemployment rate tumbling to 5.8%, its lowest since the pandemic began, ZippyApp’s influence on the economic resurgence is apparent. The platform is not just facilitating employment but is reshaping the landscape for a post-pandemic world.

As ZippyApp soars, it serves as a reminder of the boundless possibilities of technology in a recovering economy. The platform embodies resilience, innovation, and adaptability – the same qualities that are propelling the American job market forward. In the face of an evolving economic narrative, ZippyApp stands tall, committed to powering the nation’s recovery one job at a time.

The road to recovery may be long, but with ZippyApp leading the charge, it seems a little less daunting. As the job market continues to show signs of robust health, we can only expect ZippyApp’s star to shine brighter, illuminating the path for millions of job seekers and businesses. In a world that’s zipping towards recovery, ZippyApp is making sure nobody gets left behind.

As we approach a future ripe with opportunities, now is the time for both employers and job seekers to take the reins and capitalize on the momentum in the job market. Explore the dynamic world of ZippyApp today and let it be your navigator in this exciting journey.

If you’re an employer in need of the right talent, or a job seeker ready to take the leap, start your journey with ZippyApp. Experience a hiring solution designed with your success in mind, powered by innovation, and dedicated to connecting aspirations with opportunities. Visit ZippyApp.com to join us now and step into a brighter future. Remember, in a world that’s zipping towards recovery, with ZippyApp, you’re never left behind.

The Delicious Dance of Leadership and Culture in the Restaurant Industry

Posted on June 29, 2023 by zippyapp

Leadership, as an ever-evolving subject, has had its fair share of ink spilled in recent times. You would think with the vast ocean of resources – a buffet of books, a banquet of articles – we would have the recipe to cook up effective leadership down pat. But that is far from the case. Leadership continues to be an enigma, a secret sauce that changes its flavor depending on the culture it marinates in.

Danny Meyer, the restaurateur extraordinaire and author of ‘Setting the Table’, serves us the perfect metaphor in the restaurant industry. Think of leadership as the head chef and culture as the kitchen. The chef can introduce new recipes, but if the kitchen isn’t well-stocked or the sous chefs are stuck in their ways, the new dishes may fail to taste as good as expected. So, is it the chef who shapes the kitchen, or the kitchen that influences the chef? A resounding “yes” would be the answer to both!

A Dash of Culture on Leadership

Meyer, in his storied career, would often come across long-serving managers saying, “I’ve been here longer than any chef, and I’ll outlast this one too.” This flavor of resistance is a common ingredient in large, established kitchens.

Negatively seasoned cultures can spoil even the most positive leadership recipes. However, good leadership, much like slow-cooking, can gradually turn the sour taste of negative culture sweet. All it needs are a few successful dishes and some patrons singing their praises.

In contrast, poor leadership can quickly ruin a deliciously positive culture. Meyer often recounts the tale of a previously successful eatery that plummeted under a profit-hungry owner. The man overworked his staff and underinvested in quality, eventually leading to a mass walkout of staff and, ultimately, shuttered doors.

Leadership as the Secret Recipe of Culture

A restaurant, much like any other company, mirrors the values of its leader. As we’ve seen in recent times, patrons and employees respond strongly to restaurants that neglect social issues or fail to address discrimination.

Leaders, like head chefs, need to ensure their kitchens are places of respect, safety, and equality. Danny Meyer himself exemplifies this principle, making sure his restaurants aren’t just diverse in their menus but also in their thinking and representation. His commitment to hospitality and service excellence shapes the culture of his entire restaurant empire.

Obstacles to Changing the Menu

The true roadblocks to changing a restaurant’s culture are internal – inflated egos, fear of the new, complacency, or rigid old beliefs. When a new recipe is introduced, there’s often pushback, even if the change improves the taste. Staff members might stick to the old recipe or gossip about the new one, actively resisting the change.

In a restaurant, just like in a remote work landscape, there’s less room for such negativity to brew. But as any experienced chef knows, if there’s even a tiny crack in the pot, the broth might leak. So, the question boils down to this – how can a head chef positively change the kitchen culture?

The Perfect Recipe for Positive Culture

People are drawn to a captivating vision, just like they are to a beautifully plated dish. They wish to follow a chef who values what they do. A good leader will extract 100% effort from their team, just like a good chef extracts 100% flavor from their ingredients. Here are some essential ingredients of a good leader:

Vision and Strategy: Just like a chef doesn’t merely instruct, a leader inspires. By setting a clear vision and strategic roadmap, leaders create a culture of engagement where everyone knows the restaurant’s direction and their role in its journey.

Ethics over empty words: Meyer always insists, “It’s not about what you say; it’s what you do.” Like the tantalizing aroma that wafts from a dish, the ethics of a leader permeate through their actions, laying the foundation for an ethical culture.

“It’s not about what you say; it’s what you do.”
Danny Meyer

Empowerment: Great leaders, like seasoned chefs, understand that the perfect recipe for empowerment involves three ingredients: responsibility, accountability, and authority. Leaders who encourage their team to make impactful decisions and shoulder the outcome of their choices inspire a culture of distributed leadership. Conversely, a kitchen with a micromanaging head chef is a kitchen where creativity is stifled and efficiency is bottlenecked, with all decisions waiting for approval from one person.

Lightening the mood, Meyer often shares a fun anecdote of his own. He once appointed a sous-chef to be in charge of creating the special for the night. Nervously, the young chef whipped up a dish that turned out to be a hit. The gleam in his eyes when Meyer complimented him was worth more than any praise or tip from a customer. It was a small yet significant step in transforming the culture of his kitchen – from micromanaged to empowered.

The dynamic dance between leadership and culture in the restaurant industry, as anywhere else, is an ongoing one. However, once leaders learn to create a harmonious rhythm between the two, they’ll find that they’re not just setting tables, they’re setting the stage for a culture of excellence, respect, and success.

The 8 Crucial Must Haves of Your Talent Acquisition Solution

Posted on August 8, 2018 by zippyapp

In a world where mobile phones have completely taken over, there’s an app for everything. Even those aspects that have primarily been web or email-based are now thriving in the mobile world. One such area is that of recruitment. With talent shortage looming large across industries (42% of employers are worried they won’t be able to find the talent they need and 72.8% are struggling to find relevant candidates), a modern and innovative recruitment solution brings your hiring campaign across to people who are looking to join your company to hone skills, upgrade their knowledge, build a career and achieve growth. Whether you are hiring people from 1 establishment or 20, a good recruitment solution can enable you to seamlessly manage all your hiring needs in one place: from multiple business locations and positions to applications you receive for each one.

Here are 8 crucial elements your talent acquisition solution must have:

Comprehensive: If recruiting candidates requires you to jump between spreadsheets, email, job portals and social media, it’s a clear indication that you need a comprehensive recruitment solution to streamline your hiring process. A good recruitment solution brings all candidate data in one place; it allows you to collate data from resumes and social media profiles, view well-organized candidate profiles, communicate with them and keep track of the process.
Easy to set up and use: One of the primary requirements of any recruitment solution is that it should be easy to set up and use. An ideal recruitment solution makes the hiring process not just for you, but also for your job applicants. An intuitive and elegant solution is sure to accelerate adoption and enhance candidate experience.
Mobile-enabled: With almost every candidate now owning a smartphone, it is imperative that your recruitment solution is mobile enabled; 56% of businesses are in the process of redesigning their HR programs to leverage digital and mobile tools. This allows applicants to apply for jobs from anywhere, at any time using the device of their choice. With many hiring signs now including a unique QR code, applicants can easily scan codes with their mobile device and submit their application with the touch of a button. Alerts and notifications can enable them to stay up-to-date with new job postings as well as help them track their submitted applications.
Job Distribution: If you don’t have the right applicants in your pipeline, you can never hire the right people for the right jobs. Having the proper distribution can help in enriching your pipeline and hiring for hard-to-fill roles; when the job distribution functionality is far-reaching, optimized and accurate, you can be sure to combine information from multiple sources into one, unified system. You should be able to review applicants with ease, search for suitable candidates and contact them directly with just one quick click.
Analytics: Analytics is an integral aspect of modern recruitment solutions. Through innovative, self-learning algorithms that improve with usage, you can match the perfect applicant to your job and significantly reduce application processing time. Modern management and tracking software can enable you to manage all of your applicants in one place; you can know what stage of the hiring process each of your candidates is. You also should be able to rate, tag, sort, filter and save applicants for future hiring needs.
Flexibility: In today’s highly dynamic world, a one-size-fits-all solution doesn’t work. Since every organization’s hiring needs are unique, your recruitment solution should offer flexibility to meet the distinct business needs: from custom career pages for each location to personalized plans for each business depending on their size or location. Customization can enable you to get the information you need to make informed hiring decisions; you can attract the perfect applicant for every position with a career page that is personalized for your company/location(s) and its needs.
Search Engine Optimization (SEO): With millions of web pages and websites today, ensuring your recruitment solution meets ranking criteria and rises to the top of a search result page is important to get noticed. With the right SEO techniques in place, you will be able to witness a definite increase in application numbers and maximize recruitment efforts. The right techniques can also enable you to discover data about what jobs applicants are searching for the most and use appropriate keywords to your advantage.
Integration: Integrating talent acquisition and recruitment management solution with other technology systems is essential to streamline the flow of information across the organization. In order to achieve extreme visibility, you need to enable robust integration mechanisms into your recruitment solution.

Streamline the Hiring Process

With a vacancy costing the average company $500 each day, having a modern recruitment solution in place to improve the recruitment process is more than essential. A recruitment solution offers quick information on candidates and helps notify them faster about new job postings and application status. From job advertising to candidate interviews, applicant tracking to smart search – modern recruitment solutions need be packed with features in order to make the hiring process more efficient. A modern recruitment solution allows you to streamline the process of searching suitable candidates and make it easier for candidates to apply for positions that they see and like – with a simple touch of a button.

The Top 7 Characteristics to Look for in the Next Restaurant Hire

Posted on August 1, 2018 by zippyapp

With serious competition, high operating costs and an increasingly high turnover rate, the day-to-day running of a restaurant can be a long and complex process. Since restaurants are usually a challenge to run successfully, it is very important for restaurant workers to possess certain skills in order to achieve the intended outcomes. Therefore, having a good understanding of the key characteristics of the people you are looking for will help in improving the rate of your hiring success, and will also make the process more streamlined for everyone involved.

Here are the top 7 characteristics to look for in the next restaurant hire in order to run a profitable business:

Flexibility: With restaurant food and drink sales in the US reaching $798.7 billion in 2017, restaurant employees often have to work unusually long hours as compared to a basic desk job in order to cater to the demand. Restaurant employees are expected to switch gears if unexpected situations arise: from answering the phone to managing staff, mingling with customers and more. For instance, if there is a sudden surge in patrons, the BOH team might be required to fill FOH positions and quickly get back into the kitchen to prepare the dish.
Creativity: In an age where new restaurants are mushrooming at an extremely fast pace and old ones are closing shop just as easily, creativity is what distinguishes one from another. From beautifying the interiors to making marketing plans, designing menus to creating beautiful food – your employees need to be highly creative in order to offer unique and unmatched restaurant experiences to patrons. With its rustic interiors, concrete walls and hypnotic canvases, LA restaurant Majordomo is a perfect example of what modern American dining could look like.
People-skills: Restaurants often operate with a huge number of guests, vendors and partners on a daily basis. With so many people working in the ecosystem, it is critical that your employees have great people skills. The ability to interact with vendors to ensure optimum inventory, with other employees for better functioning of the restaurant and with customers in a positive, friendly, and professional manner is important for proper functioning of the business.
Precision: In situations of high guest traffic, employees must be able to handle multiple orders from multiple tables simultaneously. Accuracy then, becomes a major challenge. For example, during happy hours, employees might have to put in another round of drinks while fetching food for one table and cleaning the mess from another. Your employees must not get overwhelmed in such situations and must be able to handle multiple tasks with efficiency and poise.
Customer service: Since restaurant success starts with a great customer experience, employees’ ability to make positive and lasting connections with guests is essential. Employing people who possess extraordinary customer service skills can ensure the guest experience is comfortable and high on service. The better the guest experience, the more repeat customers, higher the sales. In 2017, American fast-food restaurant Chick-fil-A earned revenue of $5.7 billion and had a customer satisfaction score of 87!
Cultural fit: When it comes to hiring new people, finding candidates that are a cultural fit is critical. Candidates who share the same attitudes, values, standards, and goals as your restaurant is extremely important. When you have people who believe in what you believe, your outcomes will always be favorable: better operations, better food, and happier guests.
Team player: A good cultural fit also nurtures loyalty and encourages a spirit of teamwork. Since employees are a part of an environment that reflects their own belief system, the sense of shared values helps build robust teams that create stability and decrease turnover rates. It is only when the restaurant environment is stable, that employee engagement is high.

Achieve Higher Levels of Success

Whether you are a global chain operating multiple restaurants, or whether you are just embarking upon the journey, the combination of a robust concept, good food, a comfortable atmosphere and impeccable service style is what defines a profitable restaurant. With over 1.6 million new restaurant jobs to be created in the US by 2027, it is critical you have the right employees on board who know how to make the right business decisions. So, look for these characteristics on your next restaurant hire, cultivate them to reach higher levels of success, and set a good example.