Use "ikigai" with your team -> see remarkable transformations tomorrow.

Thanks to Curbside Upfitters and GoZone WiFi for supporting the newsletter I love writing every week.

Reach out to me if you would like to include your company next time: Julie Schor

I am deeply passionate about enabling business owners to become heroes for their frontline teams, and here are three pillars of my approach:

1. Inspiration is Everywhere: I firmly believe that inspiration can be found in every corner of our great wide world. I am dedicated to helping business owners tap into this wellspring of inspiration to motivate and invigorate their frontline teams.
2. Consistency is Key: I emphasize the crucial role of consistency in training. I am committed to guiding business owners in maintaining a consistent and unwavering presence in their teams' development, fostering trust and reliability.
3. Invest in Their Development: My unwavering commitment is to support business owners in investing in the growth and development of their frontline teams. I firmly believe in leveraging the expertise of professionals to ensure that each team member reaches their full potential, while meeting the business revenue goals.

Through these principles, I aim to empower business owners to lead with inspiration, consistency, and a dedication to their teams' growth and success.

If you're interested in discovering more inspiration, feel free to reach out to me at [email protected]

In addition to providing practical tools and tangible tips, I enjoy sharing inspirational ideas that not only boost productivity but also infuse fun, relatability, and engagement into the work of the team.

In my daily work, I engage with operators to inquire about what has sparked inspiration within their teams. Subsequently, I tailor sales training programs based on these insights. It's an effective approach to ensure that your team feels valued, acknowledged, and connected to the broader organizational goals. This is particularly crucial in today's landscape where securing critical buy-in for the mission significantly impacts employee retention.

So let's do that here, with a focus on salesmanship in your business.

"Ikigai" is a Japanese concept that refers to the intersection of four elements in a person's life.

1. Your passion (what you love)
2. Your vocation (what you're good at)
3. Your mission (what the world needs)
4. Your profession (what you can be paid for)

In the realm of career productivity, "ikigai" serves as a guiding light, offering a profound framework for those seeking purpose and fulfillment in their professional lives. It encourages individuals to find that sweet spot where their passions, skills, societal demands, and financial rewards converge harmoniously.

Now, let's apply this multifaceted concept specifically to a career on the frontline of a restaurant, where every day brings new opportunities to connect, delight, and serve.

Inspiration, consistency and helping others are my jam. If you want a worksheet on "ikigai" drop me a line. [email protected]

Here's how you can break it down:

1. What you love: In the context of a restaurant, consider what aspects of frontline sales you genuinely enjoy. Do you have a passion for interacting with customers, recommending dishes, and creating a welcoming atmosphere? Perhaps you love the fast-paced nature of the restaurant environment or the opportunity to connect with people from diverse backgrounds.
2. What you are good at: Reflect on your strengths and skills in restaurant sales. Are you excellent at providing exceptional customer service, upselling menu items, or handling challenging situations with grace?
3. What the world needs: Think about the restaurant's target audience and the dining experience it offers. How does your role contribute to meeting the needs of customers? In a restaurant, customers come not only for food but also for an enjoyable and memorable experience. Where can you contribute?
4. What you can be paid for: While passion and purpose are essential, financial stability is also a crucial aspect of any career. Take time to identify areas where you can further enhance your strengths and financial growth.

Embarking on a journey to find your sales "ikigai" in a restaurant's frontline career means embracing the quest to harmonize what you love, what you excel at, what the world craves in a dining experience, and what sustains your livelihood. It may entail continuous improvement of your customer service skills, deepening your knowledge of the menu, and fostering a profound connection with the ambiance and offerings of the restaurant.

If you have any specific questions or need assistance incorporating them into your business, feel free to ask, and I'll be happy to help. DM me ASAP: Julie Schor

A real life example from a great Italian restaurant nearby. It was a fun session for sure. The operator and I gathered the team and encouraged them to reflect on what they loved about their roles, what they excelled at, and how they could better serve the customers' needs.

One server, Lisa, discovered that she had a deep passion for recommending and pairing wines with dishes. She was particularly skilled at this and loved enhancing the dining experience for customers. Another team member, John, found that his passion lay in creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere, making guests feel like cherished friends.

With this newfound clarity, Alex made strategic changes. He allowed Lisa to take the lead in curating the wine list and conducting wine-tasting events. John was given the responsibility of orchestrating the ambiance, from selecting the background music to enhancing the restaurant's décor.

The impact was remarkable. Lisa's wine recommendations became a highlight of the dining experience, boosting wine sales and customer satisfaction. John's efforts to create a cozy atmosphere made the restaurant a sought-after destination. The entire team felt more engaged and fulfilled, as they were aligning their passions and skills with the needs of the restaurant and its patrons.

Ultimately, when you align these four elements, you'll uncover a sense of fulfillment, purpose, and achievement that makes each day on the frontline of the restaurant industry a rewarding experience.

If you are a restaurant operator ready to inspire your team to drive results, here is what to do:

1. Email me at [email protected] or you text me at 808.628.0770.

2. Share some ideas with me here - and let’s get to work!

3. Follow me Julie Schor for easy, quick tips you can apply to your teams today! Julie Schor

I also want to thank the sponsors of my newsletter:

1. Curbside Upfitters is your trusted partner in transforming ordinary trucks and vans into powerful mobile business solutions. They build customer's dreams - where culinary dreams meet the open road, businesses expand horizons, and every vehicle transforms into a powerful statement of purpose. Their quality and attention to detail are the best on the road. Curbside Upfitters
2. GoZone Smart Wifi uses is laser focused solving "stranger danger" in your restaurant and retail locations - helping you identify and market to everyone in your restaurant, not just loyalty members or POS transactions. Supercharge your guest wifi into a revenue generating, robust captive portal using your current hardware and software. GoZone WiFi

Promote your business to 1000's of folks in our industry and to my network of national restaurant leaders by letting me know here!