Keys To The Shop : Equipping Coffee Shop Leaders

SOPs FTW! In order for any operation to be successful it needs to be supported by a set of well crafted Standard Operating Procedures or SOPs. In many a cafe there is a great need for more thorough, clear, and relevant communication around the daily tasks as things often get lost in translation and quality, as a result, is inconsistent. In this episode we walk you through the process of understanding, creating, instituting, and enforcing effective SOPs in your shop. This was a topic requested by several listeners and I know, from my own experience with seeing SOPs in action, that this content will be very useful to effect positive change in your shop or to maintain a quality standard over the long haul. ENJOY! Links: OSHA Health Department Database Email me with comment, questions, and suggestions: chris@keystotheshop.com

Sleepwalking happens to us all at different points in our careers and for a variety of reasons. Though the reasons may vary the results are the same. Missed opportunity, lack of fulfillment, disillusionment, growth stagnates, we may even wonder why we are doing this in the first place! Today we will explore 7 of the main causes for why we check out for lengths of time and how we can wake up, become aware and be intentional with the work and opportunities that surround us. This episode is of profound importance an I hope you take the suggestions to heart as I know they have been powerful and effective in my own pursuit to stop sleepwalking through my career. Enjoy! Links: David Goggins Interview on Impact Theory Cole McBride Twitter

Pursuing personal growth and development is one of the cornerstones of success and fulfillment in work and in life. Often we can get into such a rhythm of the day-to-day at work that we forget that there is a whole world of resources at our finger tips. Jared Truby of Cat and Cloud Coffee talks with us today about how seeking personal development with tenacity and purpose has helped shape his life and gives key tips and insights on how we can more effectively pursue personal development through studying outside resources and maximizing our present opportunities. Who we are in the future depends on the decisions and we make everyday. It is my hope the this episode will help motivate you to take the reigns of your career and bring you closer to your goals. Enjoy! Links: www.catandcloudcoffee.com Instagram Books Recommended: "Getting Naked" by Patrick Lincionni "Legacy" James Kerr "Be our Guest" Disney Setting the Table by Danny Meyer Leadership and Self Deception by The Abridger Institute

Welcome to another Founder Friday! We are talking with Nathan Quillo, Founder of Quills Coffee. You will get to learn about the methods, values, and vision that makes Quills Coffee tick / The importance of buy-in and communication / What are some of the keys to their success / and the three things Nathan think every owner should do. This was a fun talk and Nathan offers up some really great tools and perspective that I think you will be greatly helped by. ATTENTION!!! Please Consider donating to The Memorial Fund for Quills Barista Francis Feeney: Link: Gofundme Links: Quills Coffee The E Myth Revisited www.keystotheshop.com

As we build our careers we take on more responsibility and authority. Building trust and helping build the community around you is a critical part of your success and how that plays out in your cafe will determine how it plays out in the industry. As a long time trainer and industry leader, Reggie Elliott has embodied these values. We get to talk about his career, how he helped build the coffee community wherever he was, how he trains baristas, and his advice for trainers, leaders, and whoever else has position of influence. Reggie is someone you should listen to. Enjoy! LINKS: Reggie Instagram Reggie Twitter DMV Coffee Restaurant: A Rakes Progress La Colombe

Conflict at work is inevitable but it does not have to take a negative turn. Hard conversations and confrontations handled well can actually enhance your relationships, the team in the cafe, and benefit our industry as a whole. This week it is an absolute privilege that we get to learn from world renowned executive coach and communications expert, Tom Henschel. In this episode Tom give us the tools and shows us how to use them to help work through both our inner and outer conflicts. I really hope you give this a couple listens and get the notes as well. Just like the conversations discussed here, skillfully handling conflict is crucial to our success. -Chris LINKS: www.essentialcomm.com Tom's Linkedin Page Recommended Book: Crucial Conversations

When people experience our coffee they are left with an impression that is largely made up of what they saw. What kind of impact does design have a customer's experience of your business? What are the keys to good design? What are the first steps you need to take to assess the state of design in your business? This week we are joined by the amazing designer Liz Chai. Liz works 100% in the specialty coffee industry and shares with us what she has learned about effective design for coffee. You're going to want to listen up! Enjoy! Links: www.chai.coffee twitter: @chaiamericano Instagram: @chaiamericano

It's the 50th Episode of Keys to the Shop and I had the opportunity to interview 5 people live at the Kentuckiana Coffee Champs Pre-lims this past weekend. In this 2nd edition of Baristas Speak Nathan Quillo, Sam Miers, Cimara Dunn, Matt Park, and Rita Kaminsky join me to give their thoughts on the role of the barista, lessons they have learned, and advice to current and future baristas all of which you will definitely want to hear. Let me just say...Thank you for listening to Keys to the Shop! 50 episodes later and there is still so much to talk about. It's been great to grow and learn along with you and I'm looking forward to what the next 50 holds! Links: - Nathan Quillo / Quills Coffee - Sam Miers / Kaldi's Coffee - Cimara Dunn / Quills Coffee - Matt Park / Plus Coffee - Rita Kaminsky / Snowdrift Coffee & Workspace

Are you wanting to start something in your town based a shared passion for coffee? Do you want to invest more into your existing community and want some tips from a seasoned pro? Today's guest will address those question and more. Jason Card is the founder of Journeyman Coffee in Tallahassee, FL and in today's Founder Friday episode we get to talk with him about building community where there is none, founding Journeyman, the importance of enthusiasm, humility, and lessons he has learned along his journey. Jason is such a wise soul and I hope you find this conversation helpful and inspiring. Enjoy! LINKS: www.journeymancoffee.com jouneymancoffee@gmail.com

Steve Cuevas of Black Oak Coffee Roasters is the 2017 U.S. Cup Tasters Champion and he is here to here to talk to us about learning to taste, tips for developing your palate, and talking to customers about coffee with confidence, and empathy. His approach to cupping and communicating about coffee to consumers is generous and refreshing and will inspire you to expand your approach too. Enjoy! LINKS: WWW.BLACKOAKCOFFEE.COM Instagram: @dreadfulvegan FACEBOOK Episodes Mentioned: EP 26: What Your Roaster Wants You to Know EP 44: Navigating Mistakes and Failure