We’re getting close to my favorite time of the year – the holidays. But all too often, we tend to get so caught up in our “busy” world (is everyone really that busy?), that we forget to enjoy the little events and moments that make life fun.
I love to spend time with family and friends, entertaining at our house for Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve. Talking and reminiscing about old family stories, traditions, embarrassing situations, catching up on who is doing what – these are all the parts of the whole that make the holidays so fulfilling.
Professionally, this is my favorite time as well. We work so hard all year on specials, menus, events, training and teaching that it’s great when we can just enjoy the results of the year’s work. To do this, we complete our list of goals and initiatives for the new year by mid November so all team members have time to do what they like most: talk to customers, entertain and schmooze.
Yes, we do year-round, but we deliberately manage the project schedule so that the teams can truly spend that extra hour or two a day just chatting with staff and guests. Isn’t that why we all got in the restaurant/hospitality business?
So, for all of you who say you got in this business because you “love people,” this is your time. Log off the computer, hang up the phone and get out of the office and into the dining rooms. Take that extra time to talk with your staff and 
guests.
You will be reminded of why you got into this business and you may learn a lot from them. A day doesn’t go by that a guest or staff member has given me a great idea or pointed out a missed opportunity to make our restaurants better.
Happy Holidays!
