Overcome Staffing Shortages

Staffing shortages are endemic. They are affecting every business sector and in many ways, the food industry has suffered the most. According to the National Restaurant Association, the food industry remains about 1 million jobs below pre-pandemic levels.

Because of this, food establishments have had to adapt. Enticing workers with greater pay and benefits, simplifying the offerings on a menu and reducing the hours of operation have helped some businesses endure the shortage but unfortunately, despite these changes, many businesses have still had to close.

Unless your business implements this one key strategy, overcoming staffing shortages will continue to threaten the livelihood of your business. Even if you are currently fully-staffed, the threat of a shortage will always loom. What is this strategy?

Automation.

When my business re-opened during the pandemic, we were severely understaffed. Understandably, many people were scared to return to work. Many of the safeguards put in place did little to dissipate their fear. On top of that, many people were being incentivized not to work through hand outs.

Automation directly addressed the staffing shortage we faced head-on. By taking on tasks previously handled by staffers, automation allowed us to work with less. By changing our POS system, we were able to eliminate tedious tasks and automate repetitive ones. By implementing online ordering and using a delivery app, we were able to utilize the resources of a third party platform and service. By eliminating cash transactions and implementing automated payment systems, we reduced the demands on the staff which freed up their time to do other duties.

There were so many other aspects of our business that could have been automated but once we implemented the aforementioned changes, there was no need for more automation. However, every business has different situations and solutions.

From automating inventory management to food ordering to marketing, having these options will allow you to direct your workforce to concentrate on the tasks you deem most critical. Human interaction will always remain crucial in a service-oriented business but integrating technology can help, and maybe even save your business, during these trying times.

Are you currently experiencing staffing shortages?

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