If you want to take the plunge and start your own restaurant, then you are certainly not alone. So many people want to take things to that next level, but at the end of the day, you also need to face the facts. Only one out of three businesses make it past their first birthday, but there are things that you can do to ensure that your restaurant business is a success in every way.
Don’t Do it for Vanity
You probably wouldn’t choose to buy a football club because you love the game. Why would you do the same for your business? Make sure that you have a genuine desire when it comes to starting your own restaurant and also make sure that you love what you do. If you can do this, then you’ll soon find that you are able to have the best time in your business venture.
Do your Homework
Everyone knows that the secret to running a great restaurant is understanding your customers. You need to make sure that you do your research and that you also make sure that the location is good too. Would you feel more comfortable running a fine-dining establishment or would you much prefer to keep it casual? You also need to make sure that you understand your strengths and weaknesses too. Having a plan is crucial if you want your business to stand out from the rest.
Choose the Right Chef
If you cannot cook, or if you do not want to be working behind the scenes then you need to make sure that you choose the right chef. Your best investment will always be in your chef, so if you are yet to get this asset sorted, then make sure that you take the time to do this. You need to find someone who can bring someone back time and time again, not to mention that you also need to choose someone who cares as much about your business as you do.
Put Someone in Charge
You have to trust in your brigade. After all, you’re paying them, so you need them to develop and then evolve into staff who are going to keep on pushing your restaurant forward. You also need to be the boss and you need to take responsibility where possible. You have to know what’s happening in every single area of your business too. Sure, you don’t want to be a control freak, and you also need to try and listen to the opinions of your staff. This will help you to act accordingly and it will make you a better leader.
Communication is Key
The key to starting a restaurant that’s successful also comes down to communication. You have to make sure that your management are talking to your head chefs, and that they are passing on the message well. That being said, it doesn’t stop there. You also need to make sure that your staff are working as a team with the customers. They are the ones who are paying your wages, so make sure that you do your part and that you treat them well. If you can, look into the SCHADS industry award too, if you‘re hiring a team.
Get your Menu Right
Long menus tend to lead to a lot of confusion. They will have your chefs running around, not knowing what to do as well. To make things even worse, you may find that you have customers walking in or walking out. Start with a simple menu if you can, and also make sure that the produce you are dealing with is high in quality to begin with.
Quality Control
Quality is essential, and so is consistency. You need to make sure that everything that goes out, is the best it can be. There’s absolutely no excuse for having sloppy plates of food lying around in your kitchen. If you know that it is not good enough, then don’t even think about serving it. If you do, then you may find that you end up ruining your reputation, and this is the last thing that you need.
Clean and Organised
You have to make sure that you keep your restaurant clean and organised. If you don’t run an organised kitchen then you may find that things become much more difficult. You have to make sure that there is a place for everything and that you put in the work to ensure that you monitor the process you have. As things expand, you may need to tweak things to keep everything nice and organised.
https://www.strategydriven.com/wp-content/uploads/pexels-rachel-claire-5490933.jpg8001200StrategyDrivenhttps://www.strategydriven.com/wp-content/uploads/SDELogo5-300x70-300x70.pngStrategyDriven2021-05-18 20:00:112021-05-18 16:18:00These Tips will Help you to Start your Own Restaurant
Many aspiring entrepreneurs are excited by the idea of opening a restaurant. People love to dine out, especially now after not having been able to for so long, and the demand for a good restaurant will always be there, so it’s a business idea that should work well. However, just looking around and researching other restaurants shows that it’s not always successful, which you will clearly want to avoid.
To do well and to keep running well into the future, there are some important factors to bear in mind. If you plan ahead and consider all the different aspects of running a business and specifically running a restaurant, there is every chance you can do well. Read on to find out what you need to think about right from the start.
Choose A Restaurant Concept And Brand
If you know you want to open a restaurant, you probably already know what concept you want that restaurant to be, and you might even have an idea of your brand too. Before you can start doing anything, from finding a location to advertising to hiring staff, you need to have these things set in stone. If you’re still unsure about the kind of restaurant you want to open, or you’re wavering when it comes to your brand and the idea behind it all, you won’t be able to convince your patrons that they should come to you. In other words, if you’re confused, they will be too, and rather than trying something they don’t have much information about, they will go back to the familiar restaurants they already understand.
Plus, without a brand and concept, it’s going to be impossible to fit out your restaurant, and you might find you are delayed or that you buy furniture that won’t work with your final idea, and you might have to spend additional money to get it right. This is why it’s crucial to have your brand and concept completed agreed upon before you can do anything else.
Licenses And Permits
There are a number of different licenses and permits you’ll need to safely and legally run a restaurant. Depending on where you are opening your restaurant, there will be local laws to follow, so ensure you research what you will need.
No matter where you are, something you will certainly need is insurance. The best way to obtain this is to speak to a commercial insurance broker Montreal. You can discuss exactly what you need to be covered by the insurance, and they will help you find the ideal cover.
Choose A Location
Once you know what you’re going to do and how you intend to do it, you’ll need to find a business premises in the right location. Unlike many businesses, you cannot ‘work from home’ and a premises is crucial when you run a restaurant. You’ll need to think about:
Footfall – will people pass by your restaurant?
Parking – having a great restaurant is excellent, but if no one can park, they won’t find it easy to come to you, and they’ll go elsewhere
Size – how much room do you need in the restaurant and in the kitchen?
Competition – what else is around the area you’re thinking of opening your restaurant in? Can you compete?
Budget – how much can you afford to spend on rent?
Looking for a premises can be fun, and it’s easy to get carried away and fall in love with somewhere without thinking things through. Always ensure you get a second opinion and you’re thinking of the business at all times.
https://www.strategydriven.com/wp-content/uploads/restaurant-449952_1280.jpg8531280StrategyDrivenhttps://www.strategydriven.com/wp-content/uploads/SDELogo5-300x70-300x70.pngStrategyDriven2021-05-06 16:00:592021-05-06 15:47:59How to Successfully Open Your First Restaurant
You’ve been working in the construction industry for a number of years, allowing you to build up a strong knowledge of every aspect of running a construction company. Now you have decided that the time has come to take a leap of faith and attempt to break out on your own and launch your own construction company. It’s an exciting time. There’s lots to think about and consider. Truth be told, you are starting to feel a little overwhelmed, after all there’s just so much that needs to be sorted out.
The good news is that while the concept of launching a construction business can become rather stressful, if you get your approach right, it doesn’t need to be a nightmare. It’s far easier to make a success out of a new business when you have got yourself organised, which is why it’s so important to ensure that you’re thinking every aspect of the launch process through.
In need of a little business launching guidance? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. For everything that you need to know about launching your own construction company, have a read of this!
Get your team sorted
When it comes to launching a construction business, one of the most important aspects is, of course, your team members. If you’re going to make a success out of your venture, it’s important that you have the right support on hand to help. That’s why it’s vital that you start organising your team structure and team members as soon as possible, to make sure that you get the right people on hand to help you with your new business.
Be clear about legalities and admin
It’s also exceedingly important that you take the time to think carefully about the legalities and administration tasks linked to starting a construction business. This is important, because if you get this wrong you could end up in a lot of trouble. For instance, as a construction company you will need to ensure that you understand why you need construction insurance in place. It’s important to be clear about what it takes to run your business in a safe and legal way from the get-go. Not sure how to do this? Seek support from a business advisor who specialises in construction.
Take marketing seriously
Word of mouth marketing is great but when you first start out you’re going to need more than just that. If you want to give your construction business every chance of success, you’re going to need to market your new venture properly. You can either do this yourself if you feel comfortable doing so, or you can opt to outsource the task to an agency or freelance, or you could opt to take on a full-time member of marketing staff. How you go about it is up to you, just make sure that your new business is being properly marketed, otherwise you may struggle to achieve success.
There you have it, a simple guide to the ins and outs of launching your own construction company.
https://www.strategydriven.com/wp-content/uploads/architect-3979490_1280-1.jpg7701280StrategyDrivenhttps://www.strategydriven.com/wp-content/uploads/SDELogo5-300x70-300x70.pngStrategyDriven2021-05-01 16:00:522021-05-01 14:29:08Starting A Construction Business: Everything You Should Know
Building your startup is life-changing and can enable you to fulfill your dreams. It can free you from an unfulfilling job and give you more flexibility in life both at work and with your family. However, it is no walk in the park. Starting a business and growing it is even more challenging. You need the courage, determination, and enthusiasm to overcome obstacles, persevere during hard times, and stick it out in the long run. The following essentials can help you drive your startup to success.
Be committed
If you’re a jack of all trades, you will be a master of none, and you are likely to set yourself out for failure. For your startup to be successful in the long term, it needs your undivided attention. You can start other businesses in your lifetime, but do it one at a time. Prepare to sacrifice a lot of your time, money, and energy for the success of your business. Choose a business idea that you’re ready to devote your time to.
Join organizations
Starting a business can be lonely, but it doesn’t have to be. Instead of isolating yourself, join the right organizations and associations in your industry. Here, you can make new connections and partnerships with like-minded business people through networking. The right organizations aim at empowering entrepreneurs like you by giving you skills that provide a stable footing in the business world. Be sure to attend seminars, conferences, networking events, and workshops. Since there are many organizations out there, choose the best fit that will be beneficial to you.
Create an outstanding team
No matter how hard you try, it’s impossible to build a successful business alone. Consider working with friends and family for a start as you increase capital to invest in a professional team. Employees bring something new to the table, like their skills and ideas, which are essential to the success of your startup. They also take a lot of work off your hands, giving you ample time to concentrate on core business functions. Consider outsourcing for repetitive tasks, form a board of directors to advise you, and create a remote team if you don’t have enough office space.
Set up a professional website
Having an engaging online presence is one of the business’s unspoken rites of passage today. Research shows that most consumers first go online searching for the products/services they need before purchasing offline. Work with a professional web design company to create a user-friendly business website. Ensure you include the necessary information to attract the right customers and ultimately boost conversion rates. Additionally, create optimized content that engages with your target audience and helps them find you easily. A highly-rated website signals to consumers that you are trustworthy and builds confidence in your brand.
Timing is everything
Timing is essential when picking the optimal moment to launch your startup and deciding to make exceptional moves such as expansion. Determine when it’s best to launch your start-up by looking into what’s going on in your personal life; if you’re going to move places or get a baby, it might not be the best time. Ensure you understand the flows and ebbs of your industry and determine if the odds are to your advantage with things like competition and demand for your product.
Have a clean budget
One of the common mistakes that could set you up for failure real quick is failing to plan for your capital. Even though you have a lot of savings and additional funds from financial institutions, the expenses of a startup can drain them fast. Create a detailed budget that ensures your capital is sustainable until your startup is stable and bringing in a substantial profit. Remember that you have personal needs that need to be taken care of other than the startup. Keep aside funds for your basic needs and an emergency fund in case of unexpected business expenses.
Know your competition
Every type of business has competition, and you need to launch your startup knowing how to satisfy your consumers’ needs. Understanding how your competitors operate can help you create a more competitive business by filling a niche and coming up with better strategies. If you don’t have competition, then the business idea may not be a real need in the market. Research on your competition even as you grow your business to stay ahead in the industry.
Business plan
A business is not only essential when you’re seeking investors, but also gives you a blueprint of your goals, strategies, and destination. A business plan is the one thing you shouldn’t miss when building a startup; it’s where you go back to measure your progress and compare your outcomes with initial goals. When you don’t meet those goals, you can determine where there’s a problem and change strategies. It also motivates and keeps you and your team on the same page by specifying objectives and timelines to achieve particular goals.
Be curious and creative
When you’re an entrepreneur, curiosity and creativity are as essential as intelligence. Curiosity enables you to discover niches in the market that aren’t being satisfied and consumers’ sentiments regarding changes they’d like and their thoughts on particular products. Curiosity also enables you to learn from your competition and be better. Creativity helps you develop ideas that can provide solutions to problems in the market and boost success for your startup.
Effective communication
Without effective communication, your startup can’t be successful; a communication breakdown can cause your business to go under. As an entrepreneur, you have a responsibility to communicate clearly and effectively with employees, investors, potential, and existing customers. However, if one side isn’t listening or loses interest, this is the beginning of failure.
Communicate in a way that makes the other party listen by being confident, informative, and attentive. Effective communication, apart from motivating employees, can earn you long-term connections with the networks you build.
Have a daring vision
A vision gives you the much-needed energy you need to embark on your entrepreneurship journey. Not everyone who builds a startup becomes successful, but defining and selling your business’s vision can get you there. The same way you present other ideas is the same way you should share your vision. Be daring, realistic, and enthusiastic about it. A daring vision signals your passion for what you do and pushes you to explore, challenge, insist, and have the willpower to succeed even when the road gets bumpy.
Flexibility
One problem that many entrepreneurs face when launching a startup is the lack of flexibility to modify or rebuild the entire business plan. When you’ve been consistent, put in a lot of effort, and time into your startup, it can be challenging to accept that your idea just isn’t working, and it’s time to make changes.
As you begin this venture, keep an eye out for processes such as marketing, production, operations, and branding that need tweaks and alterations to make your business successful. It’s okay to immerse your energy in one business model, but be flexible enough to make changes in the strategies and methods you use to achieve success.
Be resilient
Even with a well-thought-out business plan, research, capital, creativity, and capital, a startup will fail if you aren’t resilient in the face of adversity. Be ready to put in the work, do the heavy lifting, and get your hands dirty instead of waiting on employees to do it for you. Every business experiences setbacks. But to be successful, you must adapt, pick yourself up, and dust off the frustration. Build resilience by staying calm when there are unforeseen challenges, treating yourself kindly, and seeing this as an opportunity for growth.
Be knowledgeable about the law
One of the things that can lead to failure or immediate closure of your business startup is going contrary to the law. Even while working with a lawyer or attorney, make a point of researching laws that affect your business. Avoid lawsuits that can cost your livelihood by keeping up with taxes, insurance, business registrations, permits, and inspections. Take care of your customers by giving quality service and legit products. Remember to treat your employees as assets to the business; ensure their safety by securing the place and insure them in case of any accidents.
Exercise discipline
Being disciplined isn’t all about using funds as you should. Exercising discipline has to do with many parts of your business, such as being timely and following through with plans that propel you to success. Being an entrepreneur comes with freedom from strict deadlines from bosses; you can clock in and leave as you please or consume products meant for sale. However, failure to exercise discipline is setting yourself up on a fast road to failure. Be an example to your employees to run a successful startup.
Bottom line
Launching your startup can be full of exciting highs and frustrating lows, but you need to be resilient and follow through with your business plan. However, avoid startup failure by being flexible enough to make necessary changes when necessary. Go into this venture with enough information from research, know your competition, and stay committed to your goals. Build an effective team, know the laws in business, exercise discipline, and most importantly, have a daring vision.
https://www.strategydriven.com/wp-content/uploads/startup-3267505_1280-1-1.jpg8531280StrategyDrivenhttps://www.strategydriven.com/wp-content/uploads/SDELogo5-300x70-300x70.pngStrategyDriven2021-04-23 12:00:582021-04-23 10:01:1815 Essentials for Your Startup to Succeed
Expanding your business is incredibly exciting, but it’s also a huge risk. If you miss the mark and your plans for expansion don’t play out the way that you hoped they would, you could lose the business. Usually, this happens because companies don’t budget for the cost of expanding or they overestimate how much their revenue is going to increase. You can’t take anything for granted and there is always a chance that your revenue will grow much slower than anticipated, which means you need to budget for the cost of expansion and make sure you have enough money to cover it before you get started. If you are expanding your business, these are the big costs that you need to be prepared for.
Increased Staff Costs
If your business is going to grow and expand into new markets, the workload will also increase. Unless you have the right team behind you, you are unlikely to see sustainable growth, which means that you should hire some new people before you do anything else. As you already know, staff costs are one of the biggest business expenses you have to cover, so it’s important that you are able to survive when they increase. Ask yourself how long you can comfortably pay for the salaries of new team members with your current earnings. If it’s not very long, you need to save more money before you start hiring anybody.
Office Relocation Costs
If you take on one or two people, you might be able to fit them in your existing office, if you’re lucky. But if you start hiring a big new team, you’ll need a larger office space, and that gets expensive. Most business owners have considered the increased monthly cost of a bigger office, but they don’t factor in the cost of the move itself. You need to hire removalists to take all of your stuff, you’ll need new furniture to fill the extra space, and then there are added extras like internet and phone installation. Don’t forget that the business will be in shutdown for a few days while you move to the new office, and that costs money in lost revenue.
Market Research Costs
If you are expanding into a new market, researching it is absolutely vital. You won’t be able to create effective marketing campaigns unless you have an in-depth understanding of the market, especially when expanding internationally because different cultures will respond to your marketing efforts in a different way. You can’t afford to cut any corners here, so make sure that you have the money to conduct in-depth research before doing anything else.
Inventory Costs
Hopefully, your expansion will be a success and you will be selling more products, which means more revenue. But don’t forget that there are costs associated with that too because you will need to buy more inventory and pay for storage. Improving your inventory management systems will help you manage these costs, but there will always be an unavoidable increase that you need to be prepared for.
If your business expansion is going to be a success, you need to be prepared for these key costs.
https://www.strategydriven.com/wp-content/uploads/calculator-385506_1280-8.jpg7541280StrategyDrivenhttps://www.strategydriven.com/wp-content/uploads/SDELogo5-300x70-300x70.pngStrategyDriven2021-04-17 17:00:512021-04-17 10:57:37Key Costs Of Business Expansion You Need To Be Prepared For
A VETERAN OWNED SMALL BUSINESS | Call or text now for a FREE consultation: +1 (770) 765-3692 | 
If you want to take the plunge and start your own restaurant, then you are certainly not alone. So many people want to take things to that next level, but at the end of the day, you also need to face the facts. Only one out of three businesses make it past their first birthday, but there are things that you can do to ensure that your restaurant business is a success in every way.
Business Programs