Keys To The Shop : Equipping Coffee Shop Leaders

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Ineffective Training Nov 30, 2022

Show notes

It happens all the time. We create and conduct training sessions, programs, and systems that contain a lot, but do not produce a lot. We end up with staff that are ill equipped for handling the day-to-day work and challenges that await them and as a result the customer receives an inconsistent experience.

On today's Shift Break we will be talking about the number one way we create ineffective training programs and what we should be investing into in order to properly train and prepare ours staff and business for long term success

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381 : Changing our Perspective on Tea in the Cafe w/ Annie Xiang of Volition Tea Nov 29, 2022

Show notes

How we perceive something impacts the decisions we make when buying or selling it. That in turn shapes consumers perceptions and then the market. Tea has long been a part of the coffeehouse, but has suffered from a severe lack of attention and intentionality. As a result the way we represent tea in many cafes has a negative impact of the tea farmer in effectively disappearing their work and craft.

These are the types of issues that today's guest has sought to address.

After leaving her corporate job Annie Xiang founded Volition Tea. As an Asian American owned business is core to how Volition operates with every decision centering around serving their community and the farmers whom we have the privilege to know.

Instead of focusing on transparency and direct-trade for the sake of marketing, Volition shares the stories of tea farmers to cultivate empathy across communities.

Through their intensive focus, highly curated offerings, and education Volition is making a real impact.

In this interview we will be talking with Annie all about how Volition began, its values, and the practical ways we can adjust our mindsets and practices to usher in a better future for tea and tea farmers through our cafes.

We discuss:

Starting volition
How tea farmers are unique
Telling their story
Breaking down the Types of tea
How to curate your menu
Getting staff exited about tea
Tapping into the tea market
True transparency in tea
Training people in tea
Tips for selecting, storing, and using
Re-steeping
Sourcing and relationships

Links:

www.volitiontea.com

@volitionteaco on IG

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380 : Founder Friday! w/ Cary and Cindy Arsaga of Arsaga's Coffee Roasters Nov 25, 2022

Show notes

How do you measure the impact of you business? We talk about metrics mostly related to finances and judge success accordingly. But the deeper and more fulfilling impact a coffee shop can have is based in relationship. You may ask yourself the question, does what I am creating or have created have "heart and meaning"? If your answer is yes and you stick to it long enough, you might end up with a legacy similar to our guests today, Cindy and Cary Arsaga

In 1992 Arsaga Coffee was founded in Fayetteville Arkansas and this month marks the 30 year anniversary of Arsaga's. Cindy and Cary have been serving generations of people through their unique, warm, and welcoming shops. Their goal has always been to provide a space that fosters true community, connection, and the positive life change that results.

Today they are pillars in the North West Arkansas community and continue to serve great coffee in authentic spaces with simplicity and integrity.

Arsaga's was the first coffee house I was a regular of and where I first learned to love coffee and the coffeehouse as a dynamic space. I was not only the catalyst for my career but it was the force that inspired innumerable lives. Needless to say this a really special episode to me.

So today we get to hear the story of how Arsaga's was born from an, how it grew organically and with soul, how they took on bigger projects such as baking, food, and roasting, all while staying true to their roots of "Heart and Meaning".

We cover:

How coffee basically saved Carries life
The epiphany
Goals for creating community
Beginning the journey and finding their way
Early inspiration and creating energy and a community space
Staying true to yourself Fostering connection
Learning how to operate a public space
The journey of roasting and scaling without losing culture
Hiring the right people
Creating magic in peoples lives
Going from organic growth their intentional development / being organized
Working with family
Challenges, lessons, and proud moments

Links:

www.arsagas.com

Instagram @arsagascoffeeroasters

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Thankfulness and Giving Energy to the Positive Nov 24, 2022

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Thankfulness, positivity, affirming others, and seeking out the good can easily be things that get pushed aside in favor of the problems, stresses, and challenges of this life. As a result we develop a lob sided perspective in reality.

On today's Shift Break we will be talking about how we can pursue thankfulness and seek out the positive in the midst of the challenge to have a full and truer view that actually gives life.

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379 : Encore Episode! How to Deliver Difficult Feedback w/ Tom Henschel : Plus Bonus Content Nov 21, 2022

Show notes

Communicating hard things is hard! The good news is that is does not have to be ineffective or worse yet, turn into something problematic or toxic. There are ways to deliver necessary feedback to employees (or anyone for that matter) that will not only show that person respect but also allow you your dignity as well.

I wanted to re-share this old episode today with our friend Tom Henschel because there are many of us who are struggling with communicating to our staff regarding their performance, behaviors, expectations, etc. In this conversation Tom outlines a simple 4 step process that you can use to deliver difficult feedback well.

Tom Henschel is an expert in workplace communications and executive development. Over the past 25 years, he has helped hundreds of senior leaders achieve The Look & Sound of Leadership.TM

In addition to coaching executives, Tom facilitates team events and delivers highly interactive trainings in the areas of effective communications, presentation, and influence skills.

Tom's popular podcast, The Look & Sound of Leadership, airing since 2008, is consistently cited as "What's Hot" in the business podcasts on iTunes.

Links:

Tom's Podcast: The look and Sound of Leadership

4 Step Feedback Model PDF — Keys to the Shop

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Make Your Problems More Specific Managing Expectations in Systems Doing What You Want -vs- Doing What is Needed Making a Decision Pipeline Turning Radius

Imperfect Action and Finding Time Nov 16, 2022

Show notes

"Don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good" This quote from Voltaire has been passed around a lot over the years, even still it seems we always find ways to procrastinate on starting things because we either want it to be perfect, feel fear of looking bad, don't think we have the time, or perhaps we jus don't feel the urgency.

On today's shift break we will be talking about how embracing the practice of taking imperfect action can radically transform you and your coffee shop.

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378: 5 Areas to Develop in Managers Nov 14, 2022

Show notes

It is easy to assume that a managers main role is only to take on basic administrative tasks. At least this is the way I would argue most shop treat the role of manager. It is too often a "set and forget" scenario that inevitably leads to managers being in the dark, ill equipped, and frustrated. Ultimately this is all due to a lack of development and a failure of ownership to play an active role in it.

On todays episode we will be talking about five key areas that need to be developed in managers consistently as the primary way to facilitate their success, and in turn, the success of your business.

We will cover:

Admin tasks
Leadership skills
Accountability to Standards
Cafe evolution
Clarity, communication, and being informed
Maintaining a constant focus
Avoiding misuse of your authority

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The Insult of Sink or Swim Training Nov 11, 2022

Show notes

It's wild to me that this still exists in coffee. The idea that we can throw a new hire in to the mix of a shift in a new cafe and expect that they will prove themselves as being valuable based on if they fail or thrive.

On today's Shift Break we will be talking about why this "sink or swim" mentality is glorified laziness, culturally dangerous, and what we should be doing as leaders to train our people.

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