What I Learned from Working in a Bar
Working as a bartender or a waitress really gives you a new perspective on life. I spent entirely too much time doing this sort of work before my boys were born, but I did enjoy it and it gave me some lessons to take away that actually apply to working at home! Here they are:
Don‘t put up with nasty people. It just isn‘t worth it, whether you are talking about a big-mouthed drunk or an overly demanding client, you waste too much time dealing with these people and they NEVER leave tips! Far better to drop the dead weight and focus on your paying, easy to satisfy customers.
Write things down. Even if you think you have a great memory, it can let you down sometimes. There is nothing like realizing that you just lost a client because you forgot to tell the cook their order! Write things down and make sure you remember them.
Fix problems as soon as they arise. If you ignore a blocked toilet because you are busy with other things, it can quickly turn into a massive problem. The same goes for issues at home when you are working. Even under a deadline, you can take the time to deal with problems your kids have . . . before they get out of hand. This handy principle even applies to work, handle customer problems early on, even if you detest doing it.
Offer the best in a few things. Some of the best bars I know are very limited in what they offer. A handful of beers, a few liquors, a couple of simple dishes, and not much else. But they do it well. If you don´t have a lot of products, that doesn‘t mean you can´t be successful, just make them the absolute best and people will come to you. After all, how many times have you tried a new bar because your friend told you they make the world´s best burgers (or pizza, whatever)? Brand yourself as the best and word of mouth will do the rest.
This post is going to be entered in the Middle Zone Musings Group Writing Project.
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Congratulations, you’re the first! Very nice entry; some great lessons, well-presented!
I quite like this post, particularly the first two points. I find I need to write things down; otherwise I forget them within seconds!
[...] …Working in a Bar, by Genesis at the At Home Mom Blog [...]
Hi At Home Mom
Great post and oh so true (in any business)! Specially like your number 1: focus on nice paying customers and cut the dead-weight. Something my mentor also insist we do
Karin H. (Keep It simple Sweetheart, specially in business)
Great entry in the writing project! I especially like point number 2. If I’m really busy and I don’t write it down, it’s not going to happen.
Thanks for the comments. Looks like we all suffer from that temporary memory loss! I usually keep paper or notebooks with me at all times so I can scribble stuff down before I forget. On the computer, the bookmarks folder is handy, I have a file titled “Remember” so I can recheck things I might have forgotten about during the day.
I like the “offer the best in a few things” recommendation. Too many times we diversify at the loss of being remarkable.
All of the recommendations are great!
I´m glad you like it. I tend to diversify too much if I´m not careful!
[...] list of entries, I’m learning some fascinating things. Entrants have done everything from working in a bar, to working for the government, to roofing houses, and everything in between. Since I’m a [...]
[...] …Working in a Bar, by Genesis at the At Home Mom Blog [...]
[...] .Working in a Bar, by Genesis at the At Home Mom Blog [...]
[...] …Working in a Bar, by Genesis at the At Home Mom Blog [...]
What I Learned from Working in a Bar…
Interesting connections between working in a bar and working at home….
[...] the “What I Learned From . . . ” Group Writing Project. I participated with my article What I Learned from Working in a Bar , but there are plenty of other great entries worth taking a peek [...]
We were just talking about the first lesson you mentioned today as we were reviewing our idea of our qualified prospect. You gave me a good point of reference as I defended my position against attempting to please everyone. The customer is sometimes wrong . . . when they are the wrong customer.
Thanks.
I’m with you on the first. I don’t understand why rude hateful people deserve service. To me it just tells the kids watching to be demanding.
If I go to a new restaurant and it has pages of menu items, I expect the worst. I much prefer they focus on a few things. And I say that even though I am vegetarian and that could leave me with few choices. At least there is a chance those are edible.
No problem, Nic. Always glad to help out!
Marcia, thanks for stopping by and commenting, I enjoyed your blog and am happy to see you over here.