Customer Service

Five All-of-the-Time-Must-Do Customer Service Strategies Feb 10, 2012: Shep shares five great customer service tips that will give any restaurant an advantage over the competition.

Kids Dining Feb 8, 2012: Talk to waiters and some operators about serving children and watch their eyes-roll with disdain. Not Paul, he pleasures in the opportunity -- and he shares a variety of tips with you to manage families with success.

20 Steps to Lowering Your Food or Liquor Costs Feb 6, 2012: Brandon reveals consulting industry secrets in this in-depth operational piece.

Six Restaurant Marketing Trends For 2012 Feb 1, 2012: What's in store for restaurant marketing in 2012? Carin shares six key restaurant marketing trends aimed at gaining market share, better understanding customers and turning a profit in 2012.

The Power of Suggestion: 6 Tips to Build Sales Jan 31, 2012: Michael discusses six effective ways to use the power of suggestive selling to build sales.

Top 10 Customer Service Strategies to Kick Off 2012 Jan 9, 2012: Here's to 2012 being your best customer service year ever!

Creative Problem Solving Can Lead to Amazing Customer Service Dec 21, 2011: The story you're about to read is a five-star, scale of one to ten – give them an eleven – amazing customer service story.

TALES FROM THE TRENCHES - A holiday tribute to food-and-beverage workers Nov 22, 2011: A great reminder and feature piece on all the hard-work that goes on in the restaurant industry to make holiday meals special for families all over the country and world.

Ten Ideas to Help You Obtain Customer Loyalty Nov 1, 2011: Shep talks wallet share, market share and customer loyalty. A quick must read...

Undercover Boss Sep 23, 2011: Michael shares his takeaways from a recent rerun of the cable show "Undercover Boss".

Generation Y Pitfalls Sep 16, 2011: Jeff hits on three service pitfalls that often occur with gen-y staff. Chances are these potential snafus are happening in your restaurant. Jeff offers quick coaching advice for dealing with each.

What Not to Do - Twenty Ways to Kill Customer Loyalty Aug 29, 2011: Shep shares a list of a twenty "loyalty killers" that you must avoid to maintain your customer's confidence and their loyalty.

Service Tip: Make it FUN! Aug 5, 2011: Training your staff shouldn't always be serious head down learning, it should be about having fun. Jeff shares some tips and advice.

Ten Questions to Ask When Something Fails Aug 3, 2011: Whenever something goes wrong, this is the opportunity for your best customer service strategies to kick in. Shep's compiled a list to help you learn from these experiences and help prevent them from happening in the future.

Customer Service Debrief Helps Us Learn from Mistakes and Successes Jul 25, 2011: There is a lot that we can learn from both success and failure. Are you debriefing to find the core reasons? See why Shep says you should be.

Competing on Service: Eleven Ways to Beat the Competition by "Hugging" Your Customers Jul 18, 2011: Today's small business owners must understand that their business is not about 'me'; it's about 'them': your employees and customers. Making cuts to employee perks or customer service perks is not a long-term plan for survival. You might not always be able to slash your prices lower than those of your competitors, but you can make the experience of doing business with you superior to all others. Never be afraid to take your customer service up a notch!

Get it Right from the Start - How to Best Train New Servers Jul 7, 2011: After you think you have found the right person for the job comes the real test -- training. Amanada shares six steps to ensure the success of your restaurant through the proper training of new servers.

Callers On Hold: What Are They Hearing at the Other End of the Line at YOUR Restaurant? May 30, 2011: Considering that the average hold time in America is 43 seconds-almost the length of a radio commercial-you have a significant opportunity to tell your callers exactly what you want them to hear about you. Find out what you should be saying...

Ten Customer Service Tips for Customer Loyalty Month Mar 30, 2011: The companies that create the best experience and deliver the highest levels of customer confidence are the ones that stay in business longer and aren't forced to sell their goods and service at thin or losing margins. In honor of Customer Loyalty Month, Shep shares a "Top Ten" list of customer service tips.

How To Get Employees To Do What You Want (Seminar Session) Dec 13, 2010: From finding and retaining the best employees to the secrets that will help engage them, we cover the tips, tools and tricks you need to make more profits with fewer hassles while getting employees to think and act like owners.

2010 Customer Service Stats and What They Mean to You Dec 7, 2010: Shep shares several customer service stats and facts, and what they might mean to your restaurant.

The Rockin' Restaurant: Integrated Entertainment Media Takes Dining Experiences to the Next Level Nov 30, 2010: To help build loyalty and establish a comfortable, familiar place for customers, restaurant owners are looking to engage all of the senses by creating unique environments and meaningful experiences that resonate with their customers. John walks you through music, video and other media offer great opportunity for restaurant operators.

Top Three Reasons Why U.S. Adults Would Never Return to a Restaurant Nov 30, 2010: Cleanliness issues from front to back of the house would prevent patrons from returning - see the leading causes.

Through the Eyes of Your Customers Nov 21, 2010: Is there a way to get "hidden" insights about your business? Yes! And the good news -- it's a real simple technique.

How to Grease The Skids for Restaurant Results Nov 4, 2010: The taste of the upswing has been tantalizing, but the path is still strewn with obstacles and challenges, as we pursue that ascension into economic recovery. John shares some insights and wisdom to move your restaurant in the right direction.

Untrained Employees Are Killing Your Restaurant Aug 3, 2010: Long term, well trained employees are your company's best asset. Protect them with the insurance of a great training program and you will recognize the return on investment.

Has Service Lost Its Importance? Jul 13, 2010: Ian knows service. But he's not sure it matters anymore. You'll enjoy his storytelling in this piece.

Service Tip: Loyalty Goes Both Ways Jun 24, 2010: We all want our customers to be loyal, right? Shep shares some thoguhts on the two way street to get there.

Three Ways to Achieve a More Productive Service Staff Jun 17, 2010: Katrina shares three areas that need constant attention from management in order to allow their service staff to thrive.