THERE'S NO BUTTON ON THE TILL FOR THAT!

Technology has touched every aspect of life, including the food and beverage industry. High-tech solutions aim to save money, deliver goods and services more efficiently to consumers, and even improve the overall customer experience, alongside boosting profits through greater efficiency and transparency. For me there is a slight glitch to this technological revolution that I would like to talk about, and that is the potential of these great advances to stifle creativity within the hospitality business.

There is no doubt that technology is a magnificent thing. You spend the initial time inputting your information, specifications, supplier prices, stocktaking/till reports, etc., and you have a system that can save you hours from your working week. It is clean and tidy and can give greater clarity. I love it, but there is a but! Does it squash some creativity?

When a great idea, or a lightbulb moment happens, there is enthusiasm and excitement for bringing it to life, but if the next step is greeted with a response like, 'it's not possible because there's no button on the till for that', or 'we cannot order the great market specials because there is no way to put them on the system in time'! Then we have a situation where technology could be stifling creativity.  Or is it just laziness?

Some people can use this as an excuse to not have to change or keep things moving. Kind of a corporate vs. creative mindset. Trust me when I say I see this all the time. If your business requires a little bit of flexibility to add excitement to your current offering, then you must ask some questions about this to the technology provider (preferably before you jump into bed with them); don't let the naysayers win on this.

I have challenged this! I have spoken with suppliers and even reached out to a designer of such technology. They assure me that a quick turnaround and ability to make use of market specials is possible. Most are designed to be lengthy and keep creatives like me at bay (some organisations absolutely need that), but for those that do like to drive sales through enthusiasm and excitement as to what's available from the markets, rest assured it is not the end for you.

What we must never forget is that technology is a tool to help us achieve great things, not something that controls us remotely to do as it bids. Imagine the scenario: you're a head chef in a restaurant, and you've got a wonderful opportunity to take advantage of a glut in today's premium fish market (great guest experience and a chance to help your % margin, a total win-win). You'd love to put it on the menu ASAP; however, the all-too-tech rigid grey people put a block on this. It won't be long before that chef gives up trying. What a sad loss, Bravo Grey Person (a hint of sarcasm there)!

There is technology out there that can be quick to accommodate rapid changes with things like last-minute food or drink specials. Some have been designed by people that have actually experienced life in the hospitality world (shout out to John Wood and his system https://www.kitchencut.com)

So next time your head chef has that lightbulb moment and creates something new and fabulous, think twice before telling them, 'There's no button on the till for that,' and get the techies to create one, quick!

TIP 1
When looking at such technology, have a creative person with you to help steer your decision as to which provider you may choose. Think through all the scenarios where you may want to make quick changes; daily specials are a great example.

TIP 2 
Choose a tech provider that can (and will) easily offer support. Not all do it so well.

TIP 3 
Talk to your suppliers regularly. One sad loss of procurement through a system is that we seem to lose the ability to communicate with our suppliers. Keep that relationship alive, they are our eyes and ears in the marketplace. It is so important.

TIP 4 
Get your creative brains and your more rigid tech-minded folks to harmonise.They may be opposites, but they do need each other to keep this thing alive. They need to understand each other's wants and needs, not how every detail of each other's job works.

If you would like some enthusiasm and energy pumping into your business, please get in touch.

Cheers