Question

Read Chapter 11 (Human Resources) and Chapter 12 (Unions). For this weeks discussion, imagine that you are preparing to start your dream business. Pick the business...bakery, wine shop, restaurant. Identify how many people you need to staff your business. You have 30-days to recruit, hire and train your staff. For the discussion, explain your thought process address the following:

1. What strategy do you have in regards to hiring the right people for your business? What competencies have you identified as being important for you?

2. What strategy do you have to ensure your employees have the right training?

3. What strategy do you have to ensure you retain your employees?

I am looking for you to demonstrate that you understand the content from the text.

Answer 1

1) Finding the right people for the job is the most challenging process.

Mental and emotional part of the job specification sorted out as the main specification requirement for restaurant business.

Considering the small timeframe and the budget available for the small business, indirect method of recruitment like posting the vacant position in local newspaper are done. The job description posted are to be direct, specific, clear and organized to attract the right pool of candidate.

Friend and network reference from restaurant business are also considered.

Selection screening process done and relevant candidate applications selected for the interview.

Achievement or Intelligence tests to access their trade knowledge and Aptitude test to access their mental ability, alertness and intelligence are selected for interview process.

Informal interview are done to select the right candidate.

Competencies requirement

Mental competencies like intelligence, memory, ability to plan, judgement, to read and write and emotional competencies like personal appearance, manners, emotional stability, leadership, cooperativeness, initiative, social skill among other are considered.

2) Training to employees are necessary to impart the technical knowledge and skill required in a restaurant business. Correct training results in work and quality improvement, work morale, efficiency and personal growth.

On the job training method for restaurant business are considered because principle of learning by doing method is more relevant.

Job process are described, demonstrated and explained. Trainees perform the job himself, are gone through stepwise explanation of the why, how and what of what he is doing.

Trainees are evaluated, re – trained, supervised and mentored as per requirement.

3) Retention strategies

Loyal employees are the best asset of any business. To reduce the turnover, retention strategies followed in restaurant business are as follows:

a. Keeping employee motivated with incentives: Employee are motivated, given them the feeling of accomplishment by rewarded by small low – cost incentives.

b. Staff insurance, commuting expenses, food and accommodation benefits are considered.

c. Regular business contact with the employees to check their well - being, nature of work and their issues are both win – win for owner and employee.

d. Two way regular feedback and suggestion are considered.

Employee turnover is costly. These retention strategies helps the retention of best employees and save unnecessary cost of recruitment, training and time.