Enhancing the Company Culture in Your Catering Company
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A five-star menu and a top-notch marketing strategy can’t fix a broken company culture. And when your team is demoralized, you’ll see the consequences in food quality, customer service, and—eventually—your bottom line.
Unhappy employees produce poor results, waste time and resources, and can create negativity in the workplace. But oftentimes, it isn’t their fault — instead, it starts and ends with your company culture. If they feel uncomfortable, unappreciated, or tense while working, they cannot bring their best selves to the table.
So before reprimanding an underperforming employee or considering a replacement, turn your focus to your company culture. How does your staff feel about working for you? Do you constantly struggle with low morale or high turnover?
If your company culture could use an overhaul, adopt these four techniques for creating a workspace that is inviting, supportive, and—yes, even fun for everyone.
Create an environment of transparency
People can’t perform their best work when they feel like they’re walking on eggshells. A closed-door work environment sets a hierarchical context that can leave employees feeling uncomfortable, undervalued, and left out of a business’s big-picture goals. Instead, lead by example by opening the floor to your team to speak up and feel heard.
While you may be “in charge,” encourage your staff to share ideas and opinions that can help your company grow. It may not always be positive; you may learn about operational flaws or performance-related issues, but knowing the problem is the first step to solving it. And when your employees know you have their back, they’ll feel confident and empowered to give their best effort and support their teammates.
Provide feedback with respect
We can’t grow without feedback, so do your team a favor and tell them how they’re performing! Give kudos when they do a great job and offer constructive advice when they struggle or make mistakes. While micro-managing is rarely helpful, monitoring your employees’ work and providing feedback shows you’re invested in their success.
With that said, always be respectful with your feedback. It can be difficult to hear you haven’t met expectations, so show your staff members kindness when discussing ways to improve. Treat it as the team effort it is; it’s not about an individual’s mistake but rather an opportunity for everyone to grow and learn.
Show your appreciation regularly
Working hard without recognition can lead to a lack of motivation and feelings of disengagement, which can cause a turnover problem before you know it. Morale is contagious, so make sure you keep everyone in good spirits by demonstrating appreciation for each employee on your team.
Be mindful that everyone receives gratitude differently. So while one person might welcome a thoughtful gift, another may prefer extra time off or a kind pat on the back. Get to know your staff, noting their individual personality types, love languages, and communication styles to show your thanks in a way that resonates with each of them.
Set standards for self-care
We can only put our best foot forward when caring for our personal needs, so the buck stops with you. As the leader, you set an example for your employees. So if you’re constantly working overtime, skipping lunch, and pushing yourself to burnout, it won’t be long until you have a kitchen of exhausted people.
Treat yourself and your staff with respect and compassion. If you need to take a day off, take it — and encourage your team to request time off, too! Be flexible with scheduling to allow for childcare, doctor’s appointments, car maintenance, and other “life tasks” without added pressure. Balance is vital for a productive and positive work environment!
Leadership is a skill, which means you can continue learning and improving how you interact with your team. So if your company culture hasn’t been the best reflection of your values, rest assured that there’s plenty you can do to turn it around and make it a worthwhile experience for all!
Clint Elkins is the V.P. of Sales for SB Value, a Group Purchasing Organization that helps culinary professionals save an average of 16% on every food order. Membership is 100% free. No hidden fees. No extra work. Just extra profits. See how much you can save on your next food order when you become an SB Value member. Request a quote today.
