PLANNING: - proper planning will simplify your life and make you a hero
- failure to plan properly will add more work to your day and make you seem incompetent in eyes of your subordinates (and peers alike)
"...failure to plan is planning to fail..."
The first step to successful management begins with Planning. Seems simple enough, huh. Most people jump right in, thinking they are great planners. They make their to-do lists. They fill up a page of things to accomplish the next day. They feel good about themselves as they begin their day...its all planned out after all, what could go wrong now?
In the restaurant industry the first piece of planning you need to address:
- Prepare for the unexpected
Most of the time, when we first start planning, we imagine a perfect world where everything goes just the way we want it to. Nothing could be further from the truth, especially in the world of restaurants...
- Employees call out sick and you are left to cover shifts.
- Equipment breaks down, taking your time to troubleshoot...only to wind up calling for a repairman
(since when are managers expected to be repairmen anyway) We will cover this topic later on.
- You have guest issues, vendor issues, running out of product...there are numerous obstacles that are
time bandits.
At the end of the day you sit down with your list only to realize....YOU DIDN'T GET ANYTHING DONE!!!
So what is the answer: learning how to properly plan. Planning isn't as difficult as some may think, and much more intense than others believe. The first step is knowing where you are going or what you want to accomplish...what are your goals? What events are coming up? Any new initiatives to prepare for? What about staffing and training? You get the idea.
I always recommend a 30/60/90 plan...what do you need to get done in the next 30 days? 60 days? 90 days? Each quarter set aside a couple of hours to plan the next 90 days goals and projects. From there, determine what steps you need to take to get you there. How will you accomplish these goals? What resources do you need?
Once you know what the quarters goals are, and have thought through the steps, decide what needs to be done in the next 30 days to achieve the ultimate goals. Make a list of each step along the way. Then weekly set aside about 30 minutes to plan what you can do that week. I also like to set deadlines that are a few days ahead of the real deadlines...that way you have time to adjust if needed, or make any necessary changes.
The real key to planning as a manager...and be an effective General Manager...is DAF:
Delegation
Accountability
Follow Up
You need to know what can be delegated to others. Too many managers think they have to do everything themselves. This can be career suicide if you do not break this mindset now. Utilize your key people to do the things that can be delegated. Set clear expectations and deadlines. Accountability simply means ensuring they are doing it what you have delegated.
The real MAGIC happens when you follow up. This is the hardest part for a manager...again there are time bandits that will eat away at your day and prevent you from following up. This is where discipline must take place...set times for 1 on 1 follow up with your team to discuss their progress. Use a planner that has tabs to record each time you have these 1 on 1s to track progress. You also are going back to accountability when doing this, because they know they have to answer for their actions (or lack thereof).
By planning and delegating in this manner you can increase your effectiveness tenfold...and become invaluable to your company. You will have the operation that others envy. You will find yourself in positions to take on additional responsibilities...which ultimately leads to your personal growth with the company with promotions.
Good luck (if you believe in luck)...or happy planning.
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