ELECTRONIC HOUSE CALL - December 19, 2003

This is the holiday season and while the focus -- in this country at least -- is on Christmas, make a note that Hanukkah starts at sunset tonight. A word of acknowledgment to your Jewish friends will likely be appreciated. And since this is the last EHC before Christmas Day, Merry Christmas as well.

Lighten Up!
You don't need me to tell you that the holidays can be stressful. There is (hopefully) lots of business at the restaurant, family duties to juggle, shopping to do ... it never seems to end. Your staff and your guests are liable to be a little bit on edge.

If your guests are uptight, it will diminish their experience of the meal -- never a good idea. If your staff is stressed, it will impact on their tips, adding one more level of stress and further driving down their mood. The picture is not pretty ... and your responsibility is to keep that picture from developing.

You are the role model whether you want the job or not. Not only do you have to keep yourself upbeat but you need to be sensitive to the mental state of your staff and guests. Do whatever you need to do to keep the mood light and festive. When you lose it, the whole place loses it.

It can be difficult to maintain your sanity in the midst of chaos, but it may be the most important job you have for the next few days. It is what separates the pros from the rookies. Happy Holidays!

Get 'Em While You Can
Don't forget to stock up on those little clear lights while you can still find them! In another week or so they will be off the shelves until next season... and there are just too many good uses for them year round.

Super Summit Teleconference
Aside from some serious family time, my focus from now until mid-January will be on pulling all the details together for the Super Summit on January 12-13.

The Super Summit faculty had a teleconference a few days ago to discuss ideas for the event. I recorded the entire session and have excerpted some choice bits for the website. If you want to know what each faculty member has in store for you at Disneyland next month, visit the site and hear it in their own words.

I am absolutely thrilled at what we will be bringing to the event. If you don't believe in magic now, you will if you attend! Whether you decide to attend or not, you owe it to yourself to check it out while we still have a few seats left.

(Did I mention that Nation's Restaurant News will have a staffer in attendance? The word is getting around!)

Click here for the full story on Super Summit 2004.

The Perpetual Question
What did you learn from your staff today?

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