Link to Gung Ho article on Linkedin

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/20141107043702-60207408-gung-ho-for-the-hospitality-industry?trk=prof-post

Work hard, laugh harder.

https://www.linkedin.com/today/post/article/20140520145047-5858595-10-life-changing-decisions-we-make-without-thinking?trk=mp-details-rc


10 Life-Changing Decisions We Make Without Thinking.......

The Pickle Story

https://www.linkedin.com/today/post/article/20140512151241-27159978-the-pickle-story?trk=mp-details-rc

This is one fantastic article.  It is based on my all time favorite episode of The Andy Griffith Story and hits home on what really matters in business as well as your private life.  The truth will set you free. However, for Andy, Barney, and little Opie it means consumption of many Kerosene Cucumbers are going to be in their future.

Opie and the Kerosene Cucumber

Follow the YouTube link to "The Pickle Story" episode in its entirety.

Hiring Great Staff: How to find the Ace in the deck of Cards

Servers who are willing to go the extra mile for you are worth a million dollars!

When hiring servers for a restaurant you are hiring character traits, professional demeanor, and a winning attitude.  Skills can be taught, but if the candidate does not have the base to build the skills on, then why spend the dollars training?  First, character traits can be found on the application or resume to some degree.  A person who has attention to detail, and makes sure their application is complete and tidy is starting out on the right foot.  Next look for length of employment through their work history.  Did they change jobs many times without changing the area they lived in?  What was their reasons for leaving?  A person can pick up clues to character traits just by reviewing a resume or application carefully.  Professional demeanor is the way they conduct themselves over the phone or in a face to face interview.  Do they speak clearly and listen to the questions before answering?  Are they a rambler?  Do they make eye contact?  Are they neat and clean?  Do they fidget and look around the room but never at you?  When interviewing a server they should be outgoing and friendly.  Ideal candidates carry themselves with pride and engage in conversation.  All these things make up a professional demeanor.  A winning attitude is someone who answers your questions with positive up beat manor.  They practice active listening skills, so you know (or hope) they will do the same when listening to your customers.  A server with a winning attitude will make money for your company.  They will not be intimidated to describe menu items and make suggestions to customers as needed.

How do you figure out during the hiring process if a server candidate has what you are looking for?  Lets say server candidates have been chosen for interviews.  When setting the appointment for the interview, ask that they bring a copy of their OLCC card and Oregon Food Handlers Card with them to the interview.  If they come without these items or a receipt showing they are in the process of getting them, then that is a deal breaker.  It is a part of being a professional to come to an interview with items requested by the company interviewing you.  It is a little test that helps weed out the candidates that are not responsible or have poor listening skills.  Next, the first fifteen seconds of the interview is a second make or break, the first impression.  Servers approach the table and have about fifteen seconds to wow your guests and make them feel welcome.  If they cannot wow you with the initial introduction during the interview, how will they do with guests?  During the interview process watch body language and communication skills, does this person come across as friendly and inviting?  Are they robotic?  Are they lacking the confidence it takes to provide excellent customer service?  Make the interviewee’s feel welcome and unintimidated, they will open up and tell you things that you might not hear otherwise. 

First Impressions are important, lasting impressions are the building blocks of your reputation.

How to make First Impressions that Last

Great advice and easy steps to help you make the impression you want to at the next networking event, job interview, or even first date you have on your horizon.

I agree first impressions are very important.  However, being a dependable, ethical business partner/person in the long run is even better.  It is the person who follows through with determination and a reliable code of contact that make the great business colleagues.

Many people can handle the three minute conversation that is required for the first impression and woo people.  It is amazing how many people believe not being themselves at events is important,  Always be yourself.  Just like always tell the truth.  When you are fake or lie, you have to remember how you were to each individual, what happens when you forget your go to line with someone when you see them again?

 When attending meetings or networking events the biggest mistake you can make is to appear as smarmy.

"Smarmy describes someone who goes way over the top trying to be suave and charming — fooling no one. A smarmy car salesman will compliment your outfit and your hair and your taste in cars, always with an unpleasant falseness. In the 1930s, smarm was a verb that described smearing the hair with pomade, which makes it look shiny and slick. Back then, smarm also meant smearing with flattery."  (Citation for definition)

Guide to a Locally-Sourced Event | Event Planning Resources

Guide to a Locally-Sourced Event | Event Planning Resources

How do you sell yourself, what is your brand?

Everything you do affects your ablity to sell yourself.  Your online brand is you for all intensive purposes.

Before you post, or comment, or tweet remember what you do is the image you are projecting to the world.

Potential clients, bosses, friends, family, and everyone in the middle will be judging you.  How do you want to be preceived?  Just take a second and google your name and don't forget the images, images end up on line without your control sometimes so always check out the images.  You will be amazed at what is out there.

If you do not want to be known as the idiot that dances like Fred Flinstone, do not take a video of it for Youtube.

Goals for Leaders

The purpose of the BLOG...

 How do you use a blog?  What do you say?  Is it a personal blog?  Is it used for business?

I have come to the conclusion a blog is what you want it to be.

It can be a part of your brand.  How you want the world to see you.  A professional in business?  An artist?  Someone with an opinion about the state of the world?  Or even the state of pizza!  It is your space to do with what you see fit.

Perhaps it should be a space to help people, great advise about love, relationships, and the like.  Or maybe you take great pride in your cooking, share your recipes with the world.  Read lots of books?  Review them tell people what you think about the state of books.

Oh or you could be a reviewer of movies.

Or music..

Poetry…

Or