Be the Requested Server
Paying attention to detail
WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BECOME SO GOOD THAT PEOPLE REQUEST YOU?
It doesn’t take what you think to become the best server on the floor. Think about the times you’ve gone out to dinner. Why is a certain restaurant or club your favorite? Consistency in the food and drinks are very important and not an easy task. But it’s also important to have someplace where the servers are just as reliable with amazing attitudes.
A well-educated server may know all the specials, able to rattle off every kind of vodka and wine on the menu and delivers exactly what you’ve ordered like a robot.
That server isn’t necessarily the best if they have a know-it-all attitude or they're not hospitable.
The server who doesn’t know everything but approaches the table with a warm and sincere smile and asks how everyone’s day is going can easily surpass the well-educated server and I’ll tell you why. This is someone who genuinely loves her job, people, learning and loves life in general. This server is human enough to say she doesn’t have an answer but excuses herself to immediately obtain one. When she returns with the answer it’s with efficiency and an enthusiastic smile.
How about the next time you visit that restaurant/club and that same server calls by name? That feels very welcoming like you’ve just walked into your best friend’s house. You already know that server’s attitude, table side manner
and you recall that server being attentive (but not overly obnoxious). Now you feel like your guests are in good, capable hands. And that’s how a server can become a requested one.
Servers are important people who possess the ability to enhance your business or tear it down causing a customer to never return. Some customers or members won’t say anything about the dreadful service and you’ll never know what damage was done. Unfortunately it may eventually come out in the open when that server waits on your top customer or the president of the club. Now you’ve got real problems when you must answer to them and that’s when heads can roll, including yours as a manager for hiring, training and retaining that server.
A few of my favorite places to go will usually have one or more of the servers who make me feel at home. I love walking in and hearing my name with a sincere smile and feeling like they REALLY want me there! And honestly the food doesn’t need to be the best in town; it helps but it’s not the number one reason why I go there.
It’s about the whole experience to be shared with family and good friends.
I know that I’m about to embark on an enjoyable evening and that is what keeps me coming back asking for that same server.
