Author: TAM of Nevada

Make It Your 2013 Resolution to Renew Your TAM® Card

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TAM02_057Alcohol awareness cards expire every four years, are you due for renewal in 2013? Renewing your TAM® Card or alcohol awareness card has never been easier. Additionally, if you have obtained your alcohol awareness card from a different provider in the past, you can still renew with TAM® of Nevada. Why not complete the best training available and trade up for an official TAM® Card?

Please use the following information as a “cheat sheet” of TAM® Card renewal information, and pass on to anyone you know who may benefit from these details.

  1. Contrary to popular belief, there is no such thing as a “shorter” class for students who need to renew their alcohol education cards. State law mandates that students must complete the ENTIRE program following specific topics and curriculum every four years in order to remain in compliance. Plan on dedicating about 3 hours to your course, followed by a short exam.
  2. Online or on-site, the choice is yours on which option fits best with your lifestyle and schedule. Classroom training is NOT required; you can take your alcohol awareness course online. You’ll receive the same great training and a valid TAM® Card with either option.
  3. We now also offer open lab time on Tuesdays for students who would like to complete their alcohol awareness training online, but do not have access to a computer. Students are welcome to visit our training center and use our computer lab to complete their training every Tuesday between 9:00am and 5:00pm.

TAM® is the industry-leading program for responsible alcohol server training and is approved by the Commission on Postsecondary Education in Nevada. Don’t accept substitutes. Trade in your old card and get a new TAM Card® today.

We look forward to seeing you soon!

© 2013 National Hospitality Institute®, TAM® of Nevada

Wishes for Safe and Happy Holidays from TAM of Nevada

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TAM CardLas Vegas is a city that knows how to throw a party. Bars and restaurants all across town are preparing for a week of successful and festive holidays promotions. With everyone getting revved up for the holiday season and big holiday parties, what does that mean to you as a server, seller, security officer, operator or establishment owner? You need to be prepared.

  • Servers and sellers should be extra vigilant in checking identification and observing guests. Be sure that your guests are not over-served and are getting enough food and water while they are enjoying their alcoholic beverages. If one of the guests in a group you are serving becomes intoxicated, check with other guests in their group to make sure that they have a safe ride home. If necessary, let any guests know that AAA will offer Tipsy Tow service with a one-way ride to drivers and their vehicles, up to 5 miles, at no cost on both Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. Rest assured that tow service will only be provided to a driver’s home and not to any other drinking establishment or similar location, so you know your patrons will get home safely.
  • Security Professionals should note that big party nights equal higher energy levels, increased levels of excitement and overindulgence. Be visible and interact with your establishment’s guests to defuse potential issues. Be extra diligent when checking IDs to ensure that you keep the underage out of your 21 and over establishment! A recent decoy operation during a “Santa Pub Crawl” in Reno resulted in a 91% compliance rate for establishments checked for selling alcohol to minors, which is great. But, regardless of the impressive compliance rate, there were still establishments which failed the check. Don’t let your guard down this holiday season (KOLO 8 News).

We would love to hear from you! What other recommendations do you have for keeping the holiday celebrations fun and safe for your guests?

TAM® of Nevada is wishing all of our students a safe and happy holiday season and New Year. If you could like to come in for a TAM® Class or proctored exam next week, our holiday hours are as follows:

  • Monday 12/24 and Tuesday 12/25 – CLOSED.
  • Wednesday 12/26 through Friday 12/28 – Open 8:30am-5:00pm. Classes at 9:00am and 2:00pm.
  • Saturday 12/29 – Open 8:30am-5:00pm. Class at 9:00am only.
  • Monday 12/31 – Open 8:30am-5:00pm. Class at 9:00am only.
  • Tuesday 1/1 –CLOSED. We will reopen for regular business hours beginning Wednesday, January 2nd at 8:30am.

Resources

© 2012 National Hospitality Institute®, TAM® of Nevada

Teen Drinking: National Survey Shows That about 75% of Underage Nevadans Do Not Drink

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teen-drinkingA new survey from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration says Nevada comes in just below the national average for underage drinking with roughly 1 in 4 teens admitting to illegally imbibing. The National Survey on Drug Use and Health found 24.5% of Nevada residents between the ages of 12 and 20 drank liquor in the previous month.

While Nevada numbers fall below the national underage drinking rate of 26.6%, and give the state the 13th lowest rate in the country, this is still an alarming trend. As a service professional, what can you do to reinforce the message that underage drinking is not OK and the majority of underage people do not drink? What more can you do to help prevent underage drinking and keep things safe?

It only takes a minute to check an ID and prevent a minor from entering a bar and buying a drink. Additionally, gas stations, grocery stores and liquor stores are all places that teens turn to in order to purchase liquor, and staffers at those establishments should also take steps to ensure they are doing all they can to prevent illegal sales.

The first defense for sales professionals is a thorough knowledge of local and state laws, and mandatory alcohol awareness training. Alcohol awareness training from TAM of Nevada will teach you how to spot fake, altered and borrowed identification, which is popular with teen drinkers. Also remember that TAM Cards expire after four years, contact TAM® of Nevada if you need to renew your training. Officials may ask to see your alcohol awareness card during an alcohol compliance check.

Resources

 

  • State Estimates of Underage Alcohol Use and Self-Purchase of Alcohol: 2008 to 2010 – Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

 

© 2012 National Hospitality Institute®, TAM® of Nevada

Qualities of a Top-Notch Service Professional – How to Project A Positive Image and Attitude

Published on by TAM of Nevada2 Comments

As a server or bartender, you’re often the first, and last, staff member a customer encounters. Your interactions will set the tone for the evening so you want to greet your customers warmly, and leave them reflecting on a positive experience once they head for the door. You only get one chance to make a first impression, so make sure it’s a great one. Professionalism and competence are very important, but so is projecting a positive image and attitude. There are a few simple steps you can take to boost your image and set the tone for a positive evening.

  1. Reflect a neat and clean appearance. Your company may have a dress code, or you may be required to wear a uniform, so always follow company procedure. Additionally, a hospitality professional should remember to keep fingernails clean and trimmed if they are handling food and beverages, and keep long hair pulled back or styled. By projecting an air of professionalism, it makes both you, and your company, look great.
  2. Maintain an engaged and positive attitude when waiting on guests. By remaining focused and attentive, your guest will pick up on your can-do attitude. Take it a step further by providing suggestions and answering any questions from the guest. They will appreciate your tips and suggestions on what’s best if they’re deciding between a few options.
  3. Remember to check in on your guests. Dropping off a drink or meal and disappearing only to return once they’ve finished is bad form. Check back to make sure your guests are happy, and when you ask, “How’s everything?” listen to the answer. If something isn’t right, do what you can to fix it. If you notice a guest with a half-full drink, ask if they would like another. Just remember to serve responsibly, never over-serve a guest.
  4. Be mindful of your body language. Service with a smile goes a long way towards putting your guests at ease. For additional easy body language do’s and don’ts for hospitality workers, read our blog post, “Set the Tone and Increase Your Earnings with Positive Body Language.”

Making small changes to your routine to make sure you’re treating each guest like they are appreciated and welcome is the first step toward becoming a first-rate hospitality professional. Additionally, providing stellar customer service is likely to net you greater tips and also impress your manager or supervisor. What other tips would you give someone looking to excel the in hospitality industry?

© 2012 National Hospitality Institute®, TAM® of Nevada