Early in my business career, I did everything myself. I was the cleaner, the decorator, the bartender, the FOH, the kitchen staff, the manager, the marketer, the accountant, and even dealt with the stock, the landlord, the staff and the customers. Basically, if we compared this to an F1 team, I was the mechanic, the driver, and the team director.
In my point of view, there are 3 main parts in the Bar and Restaurant business:
(1) The vehicle(mechanics), (2) the drivers, (3) the directors.
The Vehicle is your actual bar and restaurant. There are many things that make up this vehicle: till, sounds system, PDQ, lighting, kitchen equipment, bar equipment, online booking system, toilet, theme, product, CCTV, menu etc… All these are required to be looked after by different mechanics.
The Drivers are the managers in your vehicle. They are the ones who actually run the shift. They make certain decisions on the track based on the team’s direction. Their job is make sure the team cross the finish line, in a good position, at every race. They will keep racing as long as the vehicle can still move (if you know what I mean).
The Directors are dedicated to ensure that every part of the team is functioning in the best way possible, They give directions and instructions efficiently, whilst continuously improving and helping the vehicle and the drivers.
We regularly get confused about what our actual job role is. In an F1 team you won't see the directors driving the vehicle. This is a very important point to understand. You may often notice that an owner has taken over the driving seat, making the drivers and the team confused. This always turns out to be an unhappy ending.
To be able to grow a business, sometimes we need to learn how to "LET GO". You can't be the driver and grow your company at the same time. Once you understand this concept, I believe your company will start growing. Remember we are constantly trying to grow our company; it’s not just for 1 race.
If you are not happy with your driver (how he/she is driving), you need to think back - Have you given them clear instructions? Have you explained enough about your direction? How can you prevent the same mistake in the next race, or from the next driver? Is the vehicle fit enough to drive?
It is essential to look at the result. Maybe YOU are the only one having a problem with the driver because the way they are driving is not the way you are used to.
Don't forget, you are no longer the driver. Instead, what you need to make sure is that the company is growing. The most important part is crossing the finish line.
Are you ready to “LET GO”?
Remember, building a great team is the main goal. You can only do so much. Don't limit your business potential.
"If everyone is moving forward together, then success takes care of itself."
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