Message 4016 of 22774 in Behind the Bar

Share on Facebook |  Save to del.icio.us

> I have been bartending for almost 10 years and have been with my 
> current employer for almost 2.  Until recently I have been very happy 
> with every bar job that I have ever had and only left places because 
> I needed to move to another town.  However, recently management at my 
> current job has been overhauled and the vibe of the whole place has 
> changed dramatically.  The staff is the same and we are all suffering 
> under the new regime.  I live in a very seasonal place and it is the 
> beginning of the off season and we are already having to fight to 
> keep our regulars (whom we usually depend on in the summer to pay our 
> rent) from being run off by management.  It is a horrible time to try 
> to find a job, but also a horrible environment to work in.  Anyone 
> have any good advise?

Before you let the door smack you in your bum, ask yourself; Why has the this 
change come and what is the goal?

Management changes come for two reasons, the owner's son-in-law needs a job 
and just graduated from a 2-year college OR the numbers are not where they 
need to be and the current mgt. is sluffing off.

If the owner is moving in family, then it is usually time to hit the road. If 
the numbers and mgt. style are not up to snuff then when everything dies down 
things may actually be better.

Nobody likes change and being a change agent can be very difficult too.

I have been hired to revamp several bars and in a few cases, so much HAD to be 
changed so fast that almost all the staff either left or was let go. The ones 
that stayed loved the changes in time, several who left tried to come back 
when the winds had died down.

Give us some examples of these tyrants. Are they making you watch inventory 
(no overpouring or free drinks) or are they putting linen on your tables and 
posting "no cussing" signs?

If the changes make sense (even if you don't like them) then get over it. But, 
if the changes are nonsense then the numbers will reflect it and the new mgt. 
will become the old mgt.

-- 
Brian
Bartender, bartending instructor, videographer and graphic artist.
http://www.batescreativeservices.com

Q: "So, if I serve you a Cape Cod in a cocktail glass does that make it a 
Captini?"