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About Jeffrey Summers
Expertise
I am the Founder & Owner of Restaurant Coaching Solutions, Inc. We have experience on any topic related to the restaurant & hospitality industry - from Menu R&D, Menu Engineering, Marketing Strategies, New Store Openings, P&L Analysis, Lease Negotiations, Staffing, Policies & Procedures, Building & Design, Site Location, Branding, PR & Promotions, Multi-Unit Development, and any other area effecting the operation of your business. Check us out on the web for more information at www.RestaurantCoachingSolutions.com or call us toll free at 877-535-2324.

Experience
I am the Founder & Owner of Restaurant Coaching Solutions, Inc. We have experience on any topic related to the restaurant & hospitality industry - from Menu R&D, Menu Engineering, Marketing Strategies, New Store Openings, P&L Analysis, Lease Negotiations, Staffing, Policies & Procedures, Building & Design, Site Location, Branding, PR & Promotions, Multi-Unit Development, and any other area effecting the operation of your business. Check us out on the web for more information at www.RestaurantCoachingSolutions.com or call us toll free at 877-535-2324.

Organizations
The National Restaurant Association Founded in 1919, the National Restaurant Association is the leading business association for the restaurant industry. Together with the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation, the Association's mission is to represent, educate and promote a rapidly growing industry that is comprised of 925,000 restaurant and foodservice outlets employing 12.5 million people. The Society of Hospitality Management The Society for Hospitality Management is an education and professional development association and organization serving the hospitality industry. The SHM is a network of hospitality professionals committed to the education, training, and professional development of employees at all levels in the industry. Through training and educational programs, products, and services, industry professionals grow personally and professionally and in the process improve the performance of the properties and companies they serve. The Gerson Lehrman Leisure & Lodging Council The Gerson Lehrman Group Councils are global networks of executives, physicians, scientists, engineers, attorneys, and other professionals who deliver expertise and decision-making assistance to businesses, governments and investment leaders from around the world. The Professional Business Coaches Alliance The Professional Business Coaches Alliance is a knowledge sharing and peer coaching organization that concentrates on the delivery of effective business coaching - with an emphasis on usable strategies and tools - for the small business owner. The International Council on Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Education Founded in 1946, the International Council on Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Education is the global advocate of hospitality and tourism education for schools, colleges, and universities offering programs in hotel and restaurant management, foodservice management and culinary arts.

Publications
My articles and opinion pieces have been featured on several industry websites, magazines, blogs and forums including: Building Better Restaurants.com RestaurantOwner.com RestaurantEdge.com FoodService.com Ezinearticles.com RestaurantReport.com Restaurant Startup & Growth Magazine American Express' Briefing Newsletter Nation's Restaurant News and tons more!

Education/Credentials
I hold degrees in Economics, English, Culinary Arts and industry certifications in Hospitality Management and Restaurant & Catering Management.

Past/Present Clients
Here's a list of some of the teams Jeffrey has coached! Hardee's Super X Drug Stores Connie's Pizza Burger King Chili's Long John Silver's The Purple Sage Bistro Applebee's Shoney's T.G.I. Friday's Century 21 House of Realty La Dolce Vita Pastries & Catering Wal Mart 5 Seasons Sports Clubs Wendy's Bennigan's Riverside Publishing Godfather's Pizza Ovations Dining & Entertainment Romaine's Stew's Microbrewery & Eatery Xerox Food Service Double D's Sourdough Pizza and literally hundreds of other Independent Operations.

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Cooking & Restaurant Management - new job

Expert: Jeffrey Summers - 11/6/2009

Question
QUESTION: I was recently offered a position as a full time restaurant greeter at nice hotel. I will be starting in two weeks; however, I have some questions/concerns that I'm not sure if I should bring with the manager up before I start. First, I plan on flying home for a week over Christmas. My boyfriend and roommate (who are both servers) say that I should not bring this up for a few weeks until I have established myself as a valuable worker to them; however, I feel I should share this information with them before I start. I don't know how big of a deal this is. The other issue is a second job that I have already begun. It is only 4-8 hours a week and they are flexible with me having a second job, they only request that I let them know my availability a week in advance. This job is in a field I am very interested in finding a career in and want to allow myself the opportunities they have to offer me. I am afraid that the hotel restaurant position might not be that flexible; but I don't want to come off too needy and demanding before I start the job. I really want to work both jobs, but I don't know whether I should approach the restaurant manager with these concerns now, or wait until I've started working and proved to be a good worker.

ANSWER: Why is this a problem? Why does it require so much thinking? You're already, quickly proving that you are not a "good worker" by failing to address important issues with your employer that may affect your ability to do the job.

You have deliberately withheld information about your employment history that can affect your ability to do the job - namely that you have a second job that may prohibit you from working hours you may be scheduled by your new employer. You should have included this on your application and whether or not you filled one out or no matter the level of incompetence by the hiring manager to do a proper follow-up, you are responsible for the omission(s). The same goes for the vacation.

If I was the hiring manager and you had communicated those issues to me beforehand, I'm sure accommodations could have been made. But now you have lied to him in order to acquire the job. This is the more important issue to me.

Of course you should talk to the manager about these issues. And get better roommates. You're probably stuck with the boyfriend.

It's time to grow up and start to at least act like you understand the expectations of a working adult to be forthcoming and honest about issues with their employer.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I forgot to mention some information when answering the question. First, I interviewed and was offered the job I am in training for AFTER my initial interview with the restaurant. When they called to offer me the position I DID inform them of the other job I already had and the number of hours they are going to have me work. They are absolutely aware I already started another job before I was offered this one. The problem is that neither job has really given me which specific days/times I will be working (and I did ask), therefore I don't know the best way to go about coordinating the 2. My 1st job (at a TV station) just said to let them know what hours I'm available one week ahead of time, but I'm just afraid of coming off as too demanding by asking the restaurant to make accommodations for me (like making a schedule earlier than normal) before I even start working. So, when I had my interview and they asked if there is any time off I needed AT THE TIME there was none. Since then I have acquired another job (which they know about) and purchased a plain ticket home for Christmas. I asked the person who called to hire me on the phone (who was not the manager) about taking time off at Christmas and she said to contact the manager personally. I in no way want to withhold information from the restaurant manager, but I am just worried that if I tell them about my Christmas plans they may revoke the offer. That's why I figured I could wait a few weeks and put in a time off (since it is only the beginning of November). If they see after a few weeks that I am a good worker (which I am) they will be more willing to keep me around even if they know I won't be here at Christmas. I am an honest person and want to do things right for them and for me, that is why I'm asking the question, and I do value my roommate and boyfriend's advice because they have worked in the industry for a long time and know the best way to go about things (and how the restaurant industry is different from others), but I do want another person's perspective as well.

Answer
Honesty also requires transparency. Tell them you are going home for Christmas and then make your own accommodations.

If you need something (schedules, time off, etc...) just ask when you need it. Not when it's 'convenient' for you to ask. Help them, help you with your issues by giving them as much notice and flexibility as possible.

And next time you want advice, give that person the whole story.

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