Intro

In continuation from the previous module for creating Advanced Shiftplans, the next strategic discipline to master is learning how to position the team well every day of the week. Advanced Team Positioning is about balancing each day with the right amount of experience to cover every hour of the day. This module will show you how to position your team well on shift to maximize every hour and further optimize the performance of the store.

The Why – Key tools for performing strong index

All stores have a minimum of 3 key periods each day, Opening, Midday, and Closing. The overall performance of the store depends on how well each of these key periods is executed. If the Bar Manager schedules 3 low skilled Juicers working together Monday because it’s normally a quiet day, then it will guarantee bad performance for that day.

As Bar Manager, it is important to understand that the store’s Index is a consequence of the performance during every hour of opening throughout the week!

Therefore, Advanced Team Positioning is an essential tool for the Bar Manager to optimize the store and perform strongly with Index. It is essential that all hours are always covered by one key representative who is experienced enough to run the shift, ideally either a Shift Manager or Bar Manager.

HOW TO CREATE ADVANCED TEAM POSITIONING
The general task with Advanced Team Positioning is to place the most responsible team members, normally consisting of the Bar Manager and Shift Managers, to cover all the key periods of the week. Most shifts cross over 2 key periods of the day. So, for example; an opening shift normally finishes after the midday rush and a closing shift normally starts before the midday rush. Therefore, in most stores there should be approximately 14 shifts needing to be covered by the Bar Manager and Shift Managers, to ensure that someone responsible enough is always present at work.

Once all management has been placed on the Shiftplan, the next step is to then pair the least experienced Juicers to work with the most experienced management team. This pairing is key to ensure that any potential mistakes made by the less experienced Juicers can be controlled by the management team present but also to provide more optimal scheduling for training while on shift.

Afterward the Bar Manager can then tactically position out the more experienced Juicers (JQ & JQGRAD) to improve the quality of each team on shift, with the remaining unscheduled shifts. For example, if a Shift manager is opening with a JQ Prospect, there should be a more experienced Juicer arriving immediately after on the next shift to ensure strong performance during the morning period.

Once the Shiftplan has been made with the full team, the Bar Manager can then assign who is responsible for each shift. By having one key person responsible for each shift, it is much easier for the Bar Manager to have an overview for the week and follow up on the performance each day, knowing who was responsible for that period of the day.

Step by step guide for advanced team positioning

1) SCHEDULE IN BAR MANAGER
Start with scheduling all Bar Manager shifts, covering all the key periods which the Bar Manager should work.

2) SCHEDULE IN SHIFT MANAGER(S)
Next, schedule the Shift Managers to cover all other key periods which the Bar Manager is not present for (Close, Open, Weekend, busy period…).

3) COVER REMAINING KEY
If needed, schedule the next highest skilled Juicer to cover any key periods, not already covered by either the Bar Manager or Shift Manager.

4) SCHEDULE PROSPECT JUICER WITH BAR MANAGER
Then schedule the lowest skilled or qualified Juicer (JQ Prospect) to be on shift with the Bar Manager and to be trained throughout the week.

5) SCHEDULE PROSPECT JUICER(S) WITH SHIFT MANAGER(S)
The next lowest skilled Juicer should then be scheduled to work shifts with the Shift Manager.

6) FILL OUT REST OF THE TEAM
Fill out the rest of the shiftplan with the more experienced Juicers thoughtfully positioned to improve the quality of each team on shift.

Sum Up of advanced team positioning

Advanced Team Positioning is about thoughtfully positioning every shift with the aim to optimize store performance in every hour of the day. 4-Wall Leadership requires scheduling sufficient leadership presence during every hour and assigning responsibility to all areas of the store.

• Essentially, Bar Managers and Shift Managers should only work open or closing shifts to ensure that someone responsible is always present on shift and to maximize the range of hours they cover during a day. Meaning no short ‘Palermo’ shifts.

• The least experienced Juicers should be paired up to work closely with the management, so they can be supported and trained while working together on shift.

• The most experienced Juicers should then be positioned out to improve the quality of each team on shift and secure a better performance in each key period.

Below is a tool to help the Bar Manager with; assigning responsibility to every shift, have an overview for the week and to follow up on the performance each day, knowing who was responsible for each period of the day;