| Opening a cafe is exhilarating and exciting and if done | | | | Coffee shop have enough lag time at each end of |
| well can be the most rewarding business for anyone | | | | the day to establish a wide enough range to capture |
| who loves people (see my other articles on being a | | | | people. It's easier to trim a few hours at each end of |
| people person). Sales is what it's all about and sales | | | | the day once you know where the demand is. |
| come about by being proactive and friendly while | | | | Know your personal strengths and weaknesses: If |
| offering a quality range of products. | | | | you have a weakness then delegate the tasks |
| In the case of a Cafe Coffee shop your products | | | | around it to someone who is stronger on it than you. |
| are food and drink and your environment where they | | | | Don't procrastinate on this one because being |
| enjoy your products. | | | | successful is all about making the weak links strong. |
| The qualities YOU need to have in the culture of | | | | The strong ones look after themselves. If you cant |
| your business to succeed are: | | | | delegate then you have no choice but to work on |
| An open mind to sell at all times: Your mindset is your | | | | those weaknesses. A mentor or someone to be |
| best asset. Do not be afraid to sell and by that I | | | | accountable is the best way to help with working on |
| mean be friendly helpful and interested in your | | | | weaknesses. |
| customers and don't be shy at asking for the | | | | Be healthy: Your Cafe Coffee shop business will be |
| business. This is sales. Do whatever you can to find | | | | demanding and time consuming. Your health needs to |
| out about your customers needs and wants. This is | | | | be steady so you can be reliable and energetic. Make |
| sales. Never be afraid to ask for your customers | | | | sure you look after yourself. Get a good nights sleep, |
| input you will be well rewarded and often surprised. | | | | eat nutritious food and don't go overboard on |
| This is sales. Upsell in a helpful friendly and non | | | | stimulants like Coffee. They work against you in the |
| intrusive manner. Practice, practice, practice. | | | | long run if you overdo them. When you feel sluggish |
| Humour: People want to feel good and resonate with | | | | you look sluggish. Customers see everything and |
| humour. Use it to create a happy fun place to work, | | | | more than you think. Being healthy is large a part of |
| it rubs off on everybody and when people feel good | | | | good presentation. |
| they anchor the feeling to you or your cafe. I have a | | | | Presentation: Your presentation personally and |
| favourite Cafe where I visit and every time I go | | | | environmentally is critical. How many times have you |
| there, Ken the owner puts a smile on my face | | | | been put off because someone serving you is |
| because he is someone who laughs loud and often. | | | | sluggish in appearance and attitude? It's a turn off. Be |
| It's contagious and makes me want to visit again just | | | | sharp, efficient and friendly and the world will beat a |
| to hear the laughter. The Coffee and food is superb | | | | path to your doorway. Make your doorway open |
| too. | | | | friendly and attractive and they will want to venture |
| Reliability: Your opening hours must be consistent and | | | | inside. Make the inside warm comfortable and relaxed |
| reliable. Your customers will build their habits around | | | | and all the above will synchronise into one successful |
| this and you will build your hours around their habits. | | | | and exciting ride. |
| So make sure when you first open your Cafe | | | | |