Keys To The Shop : Equipping Coffee Shop Leaders

SHIFT BREAK #11 : When it comes to work that needs to get done in the shop the default for a manager can be to just do it ourselves. It's faster and at least we know the job will get done correctly. This, however, is a mistake and will ultimately lead to longterm negative consequences for both you and the employee to whom the task should have been delegated. In today's Shift Break I talk about the trap of just doing it yourself and why it is best to lean into the work of investing in delegation, training, and helping develop the skills of others.

There are countless details that go into setting up a great coffee shop. At the top of the list of priorities are the legal considerations that provide you with a foundation on which to build your dream cafe in a way that won't turn that dream into a nightmare. Today we welcome long time attorney and general counsel to the Specialty Coffee Association, World Coffee Events, and Coffee Quality Institute, Marshall Fuss! We dive into 5 critical areas where most shops run into trouble and Marshall details how you can avoid mistakes in each of them. This is a VERY practical and valuable episode that gives you some serious keys to being a legally sound and thriving shop. I can't think of a better subject for ep.101 than some legal 101. Enjoy! Links: Marshall's Website Free help from retired business pro's S.C.O.R.E.

SHIFT BREAK #10: We take our coffee very seriously. We obsessively taste, cup, evaluate, and discuss all to perfect the way we extract and serve it to the guest. Not so, however, for the rest of the menu that is not a small milk drink or straight espresso or brewed coffee. We tend to hold certain alterations and items in contempt. Today we chat about how we can raise our game by becoming serious about getting to know and appreciate the whole menu and, in so doing, be able to offer a much better customer experience.

Wooo Hooo! It's the 100th episode of Keys to the Shop!!! Thank you so much for listening to and supporting this show! I can think of no better way to use this time than to highlight what a critical role you all play in the industry. Today I want to talk to you about why you are the the key. You can provide others with insights, inspiration, and tools that will have a positive impact on your circle of influence no matter what you do in the industry or how long you've been doing it. I hope that after todays episode you feel confident to take what you have and put it to work even more within specialty coffee community. I can't tell you how humbled and honored I am to be able to do this work on this platform and I will always work to make what is done here increasingly valuable and impactful for you and your success. Thank you! GIVEAWAY ALERT! In honor of the 100th episode I am giving away a mini-library consisting of these books: What I know About Running Coffee Shops -Colin Harmon (Donated by Prima Coffee) It's OK to be the Boss -Bruce Tulgan Setting the Table -Danny Meyer To enter the contest: Follow Keys to the Shop & Prima Coffee on Instagram In the comments section of this episode's IG post:Tag a friend & Leave a comment telling everyone your favorite episode of KTTS. Winner announced Thursday July 19th! Links: Remember the first episode? Ep: 001 Intro and What to Expect Why it's OK to be the Boss w/ Bruce Tulgan Founder Friday w/ Colin Harmon Leadership and Management Master Class w/ Eva Attia

SHIFT BREAK #9 : One of the best ways we can make a big difference in the cafe is by taking care of the small stuff. Unfortunately we all know that the small problems like broken timers, leaky sinks, and rotting sponges tend to accumulate quickly and become a real morale killer for baristas and point of stress for management. Today we chat about why you should resist the Siren song of resigning yourself to these little dysfunctions and take on the habit of consistently fixing the small stuff.

Competitions don't have to be expensive, complex, or stressful! The Barista League is proof. Today we are talking with Barista League founder, Steven Moloney about this community focused, engaging, and refreshing competition. We discuss the benefits of this type of format, what people who attend are saying, his perspective on specialty retail, and advice for how we can support and liven up our shops and cities on our own. This is a great chat that will leave you encouraged to connect with and learn from your your fellow baristas and maybe even join the Barista League. Enjoy! LINKS: www.thebaristaleague.com Instagram Thanks to our Sponsors! www.prima-coffee.com www.pacificfoods.com

SHIFT BREAK #8 : We all have a bit of laziness in us. Throughout the day there are dozens of opportunities to make decisions that will either pave the way to excellence or to compromise and mediocrity. Who we become as people and an industry is built by of thousands these important decisional micro-moments. Today on Shift Break #8 we explore this subject and what you can do to break the cycle and create a personal culture of excellence that you take with you wherever you go. This is a critical episode so I hope you take it to heart and put it into action! Links/Resources: Do the Work - Steven Pressfield Leadership and Self Deception- The Arbinger Institute Mindset -Dr. Carol Dweck

As shifts go, the closing shift is normally not a covent one. We can suffer from boredom, lack of motivation, disillusionment, isolation, and end up feeling bitter toward our day-time counterparts who get to work more in the thick of the coffeehouse culture plus make better tips! Been there done that. I happen to find a certain beauty and nobility in a closing shift that makes me cherish the experience even in the midst of the hardships that come with it. So what if we could take another look at the closing shift and reframe it in a way that the close an honor rather than a punishment? Today we discuss the both the issues and the virtues of the closing shift and give managers and baristas practical solutions, steps, and tools to reframe the mindset around it and achieve a higher level of excellence and satisfaction. Thank you for listening and Enjoy! Related Episodes: Episode 46 : Death by Comparison Episode 56 : The Sleepwalking Barista Episode 31 : Essential Advice for New Baristas Contact me:Chris@keystotheshop.com Remember to rate, review, and subscribe! THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS! WWW.PRIMA-COFFEE.COM WWW.PACIFICFOODS.COM

It's Founder Friday! Today we are honored to hear from the owner of The Arrow Coffeehouse, Erica Escalante. Erica is a 10 year veteran of the specialty industry and went from Starbucks barista to coffee shop owner. Her story is one of extraordinary hard work, dedication, building relationships, constant learning, vulnerability, and servant leadership. Her perspectives on communication, making business decisions, hiring, and where she draws energy and joy in her busy life will leave you refreshed and enlivened to work hard to do good. Enjoy! Links: www.thearrowcoffeehouse.com Instagram (Portland) Instagram (Damascus) Our Sponsors! www.prima-coffee.com www.pacificfoods.com

SHIFT BREAK #7 : At the heart of every health organization is a prioritized and regular system of communication that gives a voice and an ear to their staff. The one-on-one meeting is a very powerful tool to bring cohesion, give clarity, and increase morale across the company. In today's Shift Break we discuss what it looks like to implement this meeting and why it is so critical to a thriving and positive work culture. Links to helpful resources: Manager Tools Podcast on One-on-ones KTTS 004 : 10 steps to being a people first leader KTTS 018 : Hiring, culture, and the future of your shop