As a bakery owner, one of the most important decisions you will make is hiring and managing your employees. Your staff can make or break your business. So, it's essential to have a solid plan when looking for and retaining talented team members, including management. Whether you are just starting out or looking to take on more personnel, there are several best practices to keep in mind when staffing your bakery.
It should go without saying, but it's extremely important to vet potential hires and ensure they have the necessary skills and experience to work in your bakery. Double check references and confirm credentials when going through the hiring process. Also, make sure to create a positive work environment. A great company culture can go a long way in keeping your team motivated and engaged. This could include providing competitive compensation, regular training and development opportunities. A good work environment also encourages open communication channels between management and staff.
Outside of recruiting and retaining top talent, managing your team effectively should also be a priority. This might include setting clear expectations and goals, providing ongoing feedback and support, and implementing a performance management system.
In this post, we’ll discuss tips for building a strong, talented team of culinary professionals who not only work well together but also provide a warm and friendly environment that encourages customers to come back.
How to Build and Maintain a Strong Bakery Team
- Hire for a positive attitude.
- Clearly define job responsibilities.
- Train new employees effectively.
- Encourage open communication and collaboration.
- Recognize and reward hard work.
- Provide opportunities for growth.
1. Hire for a positive attitude.
When it comes to staffing your bakery, hiring employees with a positive attitude should be priority number one. You can train people on processes, but it’s hard to mold an attitude or mindset. Staff members with positive attitudes help create a more enjoyable work environment which can result in better customer service and increased sales.
When interviewing candidates for positions such as baker, cake decorator, or wedding cake specialist, pay attention to their attitudes. If your hiring process includes a trial period, take note of how they interact with others. Look for enthusiastic, friendly individuals who are passionate about their work and truly enjoy creating delicious treats.
Remember, skills can be taught, but a positive attitude is a valuable asset that can't be learned overnight. By prioritizing a good attitude when hiring, you'll build a team of employees who not only produce high-quality baked goods but also contribute to an inviting work culture.
2. Clearly define job responsibilities.
As with any team, each member needs to fully understand their responsibilities. That’s why you should take time to clearly define each position’s role within the bakery. This means making sure each employee knows exactly what is expected of them and what their responsibilities entail. For example, if you hire a cake decorator, they should understand that their primary responsibility is to create beautiful and delicious products (i.e. cakes, wedding cakes, cupcakes, etc) for customers.
On the other hand, if you hire a cashier, they should know that their main responsibility is to handle transactions and provide excellent customer service. If you run a lean team and there needs to be an overlap in responsibilities, that should be clearly expressed as well. Team members need to understand when they are expected to flow in and out of different roles. By clearly defining job responsibilities and setting expectations, you will ensure that everyone is working towards the same goals which will lead to increased productivity and more efficient workflow.
3. Train new employees effectively.
Providing detailed training can also strengthen your team. Each employee should be taught the ins and outs of your bakery. Of course they need to know the basics of their own role. However, they also need to have a high level understanding of what others do within the business. Make sure to introduce new hires to other team members, and also consider offering opportunities for new hires to shadow staff who work in other roles.
In addition, make sure to provide both employees with hands-on training, written instructions and official company policies/employee handbook. Encourage staff to ask questions and provide feedback so that you can ensure they fully grasp all aspects of their training. With the proper direction, your new employees will be able to help your bakery grow and succeed.
4. Encourage open communication and collaboration.
Effective communication and collaboration between employees will help with building a strong bakery team. Everyone should feel comfortable sharing ideas, asking questions, and chiming in with feedback. Encourage your team to speak up when they have concerns or suggestions about the bakery including thoughts on processes, policies and customer service. This not only helps to identify potential issues early on but also allows for brainstorming and problem-solving as a team.
Collaboration also fosters a sense of unity and encourages employees to work together towards a common goal. Make sure to schedule regular meetings where everyone can come together and discuss goals and any challenges they may be facing. By promoting open communication and collaboration, you’ll create a positive work environment that will benefit both your employees and your bakery as a whole.
5. Recognize and reward hard work.
Your employees are the backbone of your business, and their hard work deserves to be celebrated. Consider implementing an employee recognition program that rewards exceptional performance. Rewards can be centered around various areas of the business such as sales goals or customer feedback, and employees can receive a monetary bonus, a paid day off, or even a gift card to a local restaurant or bakery. Honestly, any gift or shoutout can make an impact. The point is to take the time to show employees that you’ve noticed their contribution to the success of your business.
Recognizing hard work not only encourages your employees to continue giving their all, but it also fosters a positive workplace culture. By doing this, you not only motivate your employees to work hard but also create a work environment that is enjoyable and rewarding. This can lead to higher productivity and better quality products.
6. Provide opportunities for growth.
One of the best practices for retaining staff in any business is to provide opportunities for growth. No employee wants to feel like they are working at a “dead-end job.” Growth opportunities can help employees feel valued and a deeper connection to the company. Knowing that they could possibly earn more or take on more of a leadership role can encourage staff to work harder and stay loyal to your bakery.
You can offer training programs for your employees to learn new cake decorating skills or management techniques. As they learn new skills, you can give them the opportunity to take charge of new projects such as creating new menu items or training new staff members. This will not only keep them engaged but also help take a few tasks and responsibilities off of your plate. By showing employees that you are invested in their growth, you can build a strong team that is dedicated to the continued success of your bakery.
Building a team of positive and dedicated employees doesn’t happen overnight. You must be strategic when it comes to selecting candidates to incorporate into your team. Hiring individuals on a trial basis can be a great way to observe their attitude and work ethic before making a full commitment. New team members should have the skills and personality to complement and add value to the existing group. Remember to be flexible, communicate often, and prioritize the well-being of your team. By doing so, you'll create a positive work environment that fosters growth, creativity, and a shared love of all things sweet.
Cyd N. Mitchell
Business Blogger, Retail Bakers of America
Cydni N. Mitchell (aka Cyd) is a Bakery Consultant and the Sweet Business Coach behind Sweet Fest®. Based in Atlanta, GA, Sweet Fest® is an online company that supports the business needs of the Sweet Community in the areas of professional development, marketing, branding and web design.
By trade, Cyd is an accountant & financial analyst with a Masters from the Kenan-Flagler Business School at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She is the Founder of the Sugar Coin Academy, an online business academy for business owners in the baking and sweets industry, and she is also the organizer of The Ultimate Sugar Show, Georgia’s Largest Annual Baking and Sweets Expo in Atlanta. She is also the Business Blogger for the Retail Bakers of America.
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