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Esteban New user 6 Posts |
Hey guys,
I had been interested in doing restaurant work for quite a while now and lask week, I got a "gig" at Buffallo Wild Wings. I am young so people naturally can be quick to doubt my abilities. Frusterating... but its life. Anyway, when I approached one of the managers I made it clear that I wanted to get my name out by performing magic here and entertaining the guests while they waited for their food. I told him I would not be accepting tips and that I was here to solely get my name out. I know its unusual to not charge or accept tips but its free advertising and I almost feel embarrased telling him that I charge. I do childrens birthday parties and strolling walk-around and I have no problem stating my price but for some reason when I approach the managers its much harder. My first night there, people were offering tips left and right and I had to deny them. The first manager I had talked to was not there that night and the current manager told me to go ahead and accept tips. I made 50 dollars my first night ( 2 hours ) and am working on adding balloon twisting for the kids. The managers tell me to just come in "whenever" and they love having me. However, I feel very unprofessional not being on a schedule and just coming in "whenever" and performing. I was wondering if I could get general advice on what I am doing right/wrong, and your favorite book/dvd on restaurant magic. |
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Dannydoyle Eternal Order 21219 Posts |
I'm done trying to help.
If you use the search function on the Café' this topic has been hashed out a LOT. Try tips in restaurants or something of that nature. It has all been said before ad nausium.
Danny Doyle
<BR>Semper Occultus <BR>In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act....George Orwell |
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alexa Veteran user NJ 393 Posts |
If it were me, I would be on the payroll. If you're not good enough to be working for money like everyone else in the restaurant, then you shouldn't be working at all. I also think that in this curcumstance, the manager isn't taking you seriously. Ask him what is his busiest night and go in for the 6-8 dinner shift, or ask him what his slowest night is and tell him to advertise your services which works to both of your advantages. Hope this helps as a starting point.
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roham92 Regular user 173 Posts |
I think you should accpet the tips because some people might also think its rude if you don't, its a way of thanking you for what you did, there is a difference between asking for tips and accpeting them. You should not ask for them but certainly accept it once you get it. I suggest you put togehter a certain schedule for the busiest time and make sure that the manager takes you seriously so you can get somewere.
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Lee Darrow V.I.P. Chicago, IL USA 3588 Posts |
If you work, you should be paid. Period.
You are poisoning the well for ANYONE else who ever wants to WORK there. And being young is not an excuse. "The worker should be worthy of his wage" and making $50 in tips shows that you KNOW what you are doing. Now approach management and offer them your services on a regular paid basis - use the search function to find out how to price yourself and the best to you - you have both hands on the bucket and you are heading for the well! Lee Darrow, C.H.
http://www.leedarrow.com
<BR>"Because NICE Matters!" |
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onebark Regular user Atlanta, GA 141 Posts |
Quote:
On 2006-07-16 17:14, Esteban wrote: Estaban, it is not your abilities or skills that they may doubt. Youthfulness can be a hurdle, but it is the way that you carry yourself that could cast doubt. Even mature adults have to master their 'presence,' and unfortunately we don't have youthfulness to blame for our failures to strike confidence in other people. A young man who commands attention and fills the space - one who is noticed by his personality and confidence - can do great things. Of course, depending on your age, you may have not had enough growing time to develop your presence; and luckily, since you are young you can really work on it and perfect it. Maybe you already have some of it. Best advice - find a mature adult who has a strong presence and watch him for a long time. See the way he carries himself. Don't copy him, just bask in him. Try to understand why he makes such an impression. Then go and be yourself! Oh, and charge lots of $$$ too. |
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onebark Regular user Atlanta, GA 141 Posts |
Quote:
The managers tell me to just come in "whenever" and they love having me. However, I feel very unprofessional not being on a schedule and just coming in "whenever" and performing. And another thing.... Make your own schedule. Write it down. Give it to the management and say, "Thanks again for allowing me to improve your customer's experience. Here is my schedule. Please have a look at it let me know what dates will help your business the most." |
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Esteban New user 6 Posts |
Excellent Advice onebark. I wanted to approach the manager with a schedule and now I know how.
Thank you |
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onebark Regular user Atlanta, GA 141 Posts |
You are very welcome, Esteban. And back at'cha - you helped me sharpen my pitch!
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illuzns Regular user My Room in Va. 104 Posts |
I've been working a restaurant contract gig for the past 5 years now. One thing that I have found that has always helped me is to see if they have any type of customer service survey or email address for customer relations that the customers use to contact the home office for comments on their visit. If they have either, then this is a really great tool for you to use to keep your contract or perhaps even extend it into adding another gig at one of their other locations as well.Many of these companies use these email addresses or customer service surveys to see not only how their certain locations are doing,but many times if a patron goes to the trouble of recognizing a particular person or location, it helps get the managers their bonuses.You can use that to your advantage, because the manager will obviously have no problem with you subtley influencing guests to give the home office their opinion of their visit.It only benefits him if they say they had a really enjoyable time.(Obviously you would only want to do this when you have a great response to your presence by a particular patron.)By doing this it also gets your name into the corporate office regularly via emails or surveys and it's amazing how well this actually works.I met the president of the chain that I have been performing for at a special awards dinner they had (Which I was invited to)and when I was introduced to him, he said "So.... you're the magician I keep hearing about." Trust me, this works!!! Hope it comes in handy for some of you that try it.PM me and Let me know your thoughts.
Illuzns |
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Lee Darrow V.I.P. Chicago, IL USA 3588 Posts |
Hmmmm... customer response card on the table... swami ginnick... I can see some "unscrupulous mentalist types "stacking the votes" for themselves THERE!
:lol: But, in all seriousness, if there IS a customer satisfaction survey, USE it, by all means! This is one of the BEST tools to help you keep your job. And to get that raise, or extra night that you want, more hours, or other perks... Lee Darrow, C.H.
http://www.leedarrow.com
<BR>"Because NICE Matters!" |
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JustinVisible Elite user South Jersey/Philadelphia Areas 453 Posts |
And if you told the one manager you weren't going to take any tips, then don't.... What I have done in the past, especially demo hours, is when someone offers me a tip I say "thank-you, but how about instead of this, you can tell the management on the way out how much fun you had and how entertaining I was...." It DOES work. It has worked for me. Try it out and see for yourself............Cheers. JPV
"If they laugh, it's funny..."
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illuzns Regular user My Room in Va. 104 Posts |
Just wanted to add, that I too believe that you shouldn't take tips if the premise was that you weren't going to originally. That being said,I do believe that you should be getting paid something. I realize that you want to get your name out there, but lets face it... You will want to get paid eventually. I believe that you need to go back to that one manager and speak to him about negotiating a paid contract. If you're magic is good,then it should be pretty evident to him that your services are worth adding you to their budget. If you use the survey idea I was speaking of, These can be a very persuasive way of proving your worth. Lastly don't be afraid of trying other restaurants. Also suggest a Kids night or Family night on an evening that the place is traditionally slower. Make yourself up a short flier with your intentions and how they will benefit this partucular venue.
Hope this helps . Illuzns |
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Dannydoyle Eternal Order 21219 Posts |
Contrary to most contentions "cusotmer survey cards" are not as powerfull a tool as you may think.
Just do your job and keep doing it right, that is the best tool. The reason I say that about the cards, well they can work against you pretty heave. 1 bad comment is all ya need to be out the door. Don't show up on them for a while for any reason and your in trouble. SO many bad things can happen as a result of them, that they far outweigh the good in my opinion. It sticks out in an owners head more when guests come up to him on the way out and tell him how great the experience was. Coaxing guests to do so is a fantastic idea. Then when he dosn't hear it he isn't expecting too.
Danny Doyle
<BR>Semper Occultus <BR>In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act....George Orwell |
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RicHeka Inner circle 3999 Posts |
I never used these cards.However,it is not because of the very logical reason's not to use them that Danny bring's up.At least not contiously.
My method is:Whenever I have a guest that very entusiastically tell's me how much they enjoyed the performance,I simply say:"If you could mention that to the Manager/Owner I would greatly appreciate it".That's it.I don't do it too often,just every now and then is sufficient and more realistic. Thanks Danny for once again shedding some light on something that looks good on the surface,but can actually be harmful to a performer. Best. Rich |
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Dannydoyle Eternal Order 21219 Posts |
Rich it is the same method I use. Makes perfect sense to me.
Danny Doyle
<BR>Semper Occultus <BR>In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act....George Orwell |
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magicmind Inner circle My fence has 20, 3218 Posts |
The "Restaurant Workers Hanbook" is a great book....you should check it out.
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illuzns Regular user My Room in Va. 104 Posts |
To each his own as far as the method to use. I believe it is agreed by all that it is important to leave a lasting impression on your audience in a positive manner. I'm not saying that my method of using Customer comment cards is the best way, but it has worked for me for the past 5 years that I have been performing for this particular contract. It may differ for others,but that is expected. We are not all the same in that respect.Contrary to what Mr.Doyle has stated, I have not had anything but positive comment cards sent in about my performances.(That is not saying that I won't ever have a negative one, but so far it has been an incredibly useful tool for me.)By the way, it also is important to have a good working relationship with the staff and management of whichever location you happen to be performing at(I am always made aware when anyone turns in a comment card with my name on it). But my advice, is from my own experiences and not from someone elses. I will agree with Mr.Doyle about "Doing your job right and doing it well" but if you're doing your job right, then chances are,you shouldn't be getting negative feedback about your performance, Right? Anyway, this is simply advice shared and whether you choose to use it is up to you. And lastly I will say that I too have customers comment to the managers on the way out the door at times. This is another very effective method of keeping your contract. Just do what works for you.
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Dannydoyle Eternal Order 21219 Posts |
Work long enough, you will indeed get negative cards. You will get people who cant wait to fill them out as such. You WILL bomb, have bad shows and mess up tricks. It is a fact of life.
Danny Doyle
<BR>Semper Occultus <BR>In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act....George Orwell |
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Lee Darrow V.I.P. Chicago, IL USA 3588 Posts |
While this may SEEM to contradict my earlier statement about customer feedback cards, it really doesn't. I suggest you make use of them IF they are already there, but do NOT, under any circumstances, PUT them there yourself.
Here's the reason - it's something that I call "the hacker's attitude" and it is becoming more prevalent in today's society. The Hacker's Belief states that the only person who really owns something is the person who can destroy it. as such, there is a growing group of disaffected people out there who will destroy anything simply because they can and simply to show that they "own" it in the Hacker's sense of the word. Unfortunately, the Hacker's definition of "own" is severely flawed. Proofs: Ask anyone who destroyed the Temple at Delphi and they will not, generally, be able to tell you. Ask them who the PERSON was who destroyed the historical Giant Buddha statues in Afghanistan and they will not be able to tell you, even though it happened in the last ten years. Ask them who destroyed Carthage, the Collossus at Rhodes, the Great Temple of Zeus at Athens and they will not be able to tell you. Ask them who blew up the giant swastica that was aop the Reichstag in Berlin at the end of World War II and they will not be able to tell you. Now ask them who build the Great Pyramid in Egypt. They will answer Cheops. Ask them who built the Panama Canal - Teddy Roosevelt was the man primarily responsible for getting the job done - along with a whole lot of workers. Ask them who designed Windows and Bill Gates will come to mind. Ask them who invented television and, after a bit of thought, they may well name Philo T. Farnsworth. Ask them who invented the lightbulb and Thomas Edison will be named immediately. But the Hacker mentality is the prevaling paradigm at the moment in certain demographics and that can lead a performer who relies on customer surveys as his or her ONLY source of job justification for management to get a rude awakening come review time. Make sure that you do not put all of your feedback loops on the same channel or wavelength. Use direct methods - ask the customers to SPEAK to a Manager if they enjoyed your work. Ask them to APPLAUD. Ask them to tell their SERVER. Ask them to drop the restaurant a note or a phone call (and if they have a cell phone (and are a friend) they can do this right now, if they'd be so kind!). Just some more ways to insure your income stream...! Lee Darrow, C.H.
http://www.leedarrow.com
<BR>"Because NICE Matters!" |
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