The Meatball Heaven restaurant has already passed many tests under the guns of TV cameras. Now he has to go through one more thing — one of the founders, chef Denis, is leaving. At the request of Psychologies, business coach Olga Mukhina follows the developments in the reality show “Make Me Tasty” on the TV channel and advises participants on how to build relationships with each other in order to succeed.
Apparently, we have reached the end of the story «Three friends opened a restaurant.» At first glance, little has changed in the lives and relationships of our heroes. The processes in the kitchen are also stalled, the staff is watching the owners, and they continue to sort things out and replenish the account “which of us is more busy”.
- Stress management
However, there are some changes in the internal climate of the team. The first thing that catches your eye is attempts to find new business solutions. For example, friends are discussing a new format for a business lunch, they are thinking about holding a master class. The ideas are good, but I got the impression that the actions are chaotic and fussy: «Shouldn’t we try it? ..» The owners of the restaurant do not get together and discuss possible steps, risks and consequences. Hence the unproductive master class, which did not bring money to the restaurant, and Xenia’s not very confident explanations of how the business lunch format will help and how it will affect the results.
The second point, no less important in terms of team management. Ksenia and Natalya are already openly saying that they cannot quit what they started (I wonder what they would do if there was such an opportunity?). For Denis, the restaurant is no longer a priority among other possible projects. I think that such an attitude to one’s work as to a heavy suitcase without a handle — it’s hard to carry, but it’s a pity to leave — does not strengthen the staff’s faith in the ultimate success of the enterprise. It is necessary to turn the tide, and for this one of the owners must completely, headlong immerse themselves only in work, without complaining and setting an example for others. Otherwise, the staff will start looking for a more stable job.
- Motivation management
And one moment. In solving emerging issues and finding new ways, owners and employees are increasingly closed in on themselves, forgetting that the most important thing is their customers. I would like to be wrong, but it seems to me that an ambivalent attitude towards restaurant visitors has appeared. On the one hand, we need them and we are happy for them, on the other hand, they come at the wrong time (“Our place is either too calm or too active” — but doesn’t it happen in any restaurant?) or they order the wrong thing (reaction to a comment guests about parsnip puree). Clients feel the attitude towards themselves, and with such an attitude, few of them will want to come to Meatball Heaven again or recommend the place to friends. The client may not always be right, but he is always your client — this is an important rule. Let’s see how it ends.
End of the story?
Well… The Union fell apart… The girls decided that Denis was leaving the company and leaving the project. Let’s leave behind the scenes the question of how the decision was made. I think that without the participation of Denis himself. It is unlikely that he, knowing about such a decision, would tell the chefs in the kitchen that he wants to work on several new dishes today. Denis «keeps his face» and does not dispute the correctness of this decision in front of the rest of the employees.
- Test of success: how not to stop there
It is interesting to compare the reactions of different people to the news: the staff (and this is understandable) is confused, Natalia is quite neutral, Ksenia cannot hide her joy. I think that from an emotional point of view, the main line of conflict was between Ksenia and Denis. If for Ksenia this is the end of a difficult situation, then for the staff it is the beginning of changes with an unknown result. It is clear that they are sad after the departure of Denis — I think that he was the ideological inspirer, and not just the author of the menu. I am sure that many in the kitchen have a question — are these changes for the better and what else to expect? In this situation, you should not limit yourself to the phrase «Nothing will change with the departure of Denis.» It will definitely change, the question is how it will change and how it will affect everyone and everyone.
I admire Ksenia’s willingness to shoulder the entire burden of responsibility for the business at a difficult moment. One of the partners has gone out of business, the other cannot actively participate in management due to the birth of a child. Will Ksenia be able to handle everything alone, from changing the menu (a new concept of high-quality fast food) to minor operational issues? Is she ready for the fact that her decisions will be compared with the possible decisions of Denis? Probably, more often such comparisons will not be in her favor, especially at first. Are you ready to entrust chefs with issues in which she herself is less competent? It seems to me that at the moment Xenia needs, if not like-minded people, then allies from the staff. Let’s hope that Meatball Heaven will survive in the new format and with a new leader.
While Xenia and Natasha’s meatball restaurant is trying to survive without a chef, we’ll go to a new restaurant that has opened in the neighborhood. His concept violates all the laws of the restaurant business in Moscow.