Tag: bartenders

Increase Your Earnings with Suggestive Selling and Upselling

Published on by TAM of NevadaLeave a comment

Many individuals in the hospitality industry depend on their tip money for the majority of their income. There are several ways to net bigger tips, increase customer satisfaction and impress your manager by netting bigger sales. It’s not rocket science, a higher tab very often equates to a higher tip, and what service professional doesn’t want to increase bar sales, and in turn, their own tips? Providing excellent customer service in addition to responsible beverage service is one of the most important duties of a bartender or server. In addition, try these tips to raise the bar even higher and increase your earnings:

  1. Upselling is one of the most popular and effective ways to increase your earnings potential, as long as it is done the right way. One example is if your patron orders a drink that can be made more than one way. If a mixed drink comes in a standard size or large size, it would be acceptable to ask if they’d like to order the larger size. Similarly, you can promote your top shelf liquors. If a patron asks for a mixed drink, ask them if they’d like to select the premium option. A simple, “Would you like your Cosmopolitan made with Grey Goose?” is an easy way to upsell your offerings without being pushy.
  2. Suggesting premium beverages or signature drinks over well drinks is another easy way to increase sales. A patron can get a well drink anywhere in town, suggesting one of your establishment’s signature cocktails or a drink that is very popular with other patrons can instantly boost the bar tab, and your customer gets to try something new and exciting.
  3. If patrons ask for beverage suggestions, provide information on what you like, ask them about their drink preferences and make suggestions based on their individual tastes, and also be knowledgeable about wine selections and pairings. A service professional can help make a guest’s night-out extra special with some extra attention and a few simple suggestions. For more information on food and wine pairings, check out our blog post, “Bon Appetit! Food and Wine Pairings 101.”
  4. Drink sales aren’t the only item to focus on; menu upselling is also a great way to increase your sales. Try offering your bar patrons an appetizer or entrée to go with their drinks. A simple, “Would you like to try some buffalo wings to go with your beer?” is always a good tactic.

TAM® of Nevada loves to hear suggestions from students and other industry professionals. What suggestions would you give servers on ways to net bigger tips?

© 2011 National Hospitality Institute®, TAM® of Nevada

 

Substance Abuse – An Alarming Trend Among U.S. Teens

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Did you know that according to a new report from National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) at Columbia University, about 50% of high school students smoke, drink alcohol or use drugs? (WebMD). The sheer number of teenagers who are experimenting with these substances is alarming, and even more alarming is the likelihood that many of them will become addicted. TAM® Card Holders and hospitality professionals are often the first line defense against underage access to teen drinking. Are you doing everything you can to help prevent teenage drinking?

Retailers and off-site sales professionals should be diligent about checking IDs as well to make sure teenagers are not trying to purchase liquor with fake or borrowed identification. To learn more about recognizing a fake or borrowed ID, refer to our blog post, “Are Minors Using Fake IDs and Sneaking Past You?” Most establishments also have a guidebook, like the I.D. Checking Guide, for validating various forms of identification. Ask your manager if you have a guide like this in your establishment and refer to it if needed. The I.D. Checking Guide can be purchased from TAM® here.

In addition to diligently checking identification, there are some other easy steps one can take in both retail and on-site establishments to help prevent teen access to alcoholic beverages such as storing alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages in separate display cases, making sure containers are labeled clearly and properly, and double checking that your guests are being served exactly what they ordered in on-site establishments. For more ways to help curb teens’ access to alcohol, refer to We Don’t Serve Teens’ suggestions.

What policies have you instituted at your organization to deter teen drinking?

Resources

Nearly Half of U.S. Teens Smoke, Drink Alcohol, or Use Drugs – WebMD Health News

Stopping Teens’ Easy Access To Alcohol – We Don’t Serve Teens

© 2011 National Hospitality Institute®, TAM® of Nevada

Club Drugs: A Growing Problem in Casinos and Industry Hot Spots

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Drug use continues to rise in our casinos, clubs, pools, concert venues and bars. The Gaming Control Board has alerted casinos and other establishments that this behavior will not be tolerated (State of Nevada Gaming Control Board). Is it possible to deal more effectively with this growing problem? Use of club drugs such as ecstasy, ketamine, GHB, and others is on the rise and establishments are tasked with working to keep patrons safe, so it is imperative that staff knows how to spot and deal with these risky behaviors. Do you know how to spot and effectively deal with customers who are under the influence of drugs?

As a bartender or server, there are certain things you should watch for to spot any patrons who may be engaging in and promoting dangerous drug use:

  • Watch for customers who are behaving erratically or exhibit symptoms of possibly being under the influence of drugs such as loss of coordination, dizziness, fainting, confusion or slurred speech (SAMHSA).
  • Be alert. If you suspect that your patron may have smuggled in and used club drugs at your establishment, you should treat them just as you would with someone who has had too much to drink. Alert your manager or supervisor so that they can intervene if necessary.
  • Remember, some club drugs such as Rohypnol may be lethal when mixed with alcohol and/or other depressants (National Institute on Drug Abuse). Given this, it is even more important to gauge a customer and situation before serving an alcoholic beverage.
  • Always check your employee handbook or company policies regarding how your employer handles these types of situations. You need to be aware of both company policies and you may have to report any suspicious behavior or anything that makes you uncomfortable to a manger. There may even be rules dictating that the person is escorted safely off of the property.

You can learn more about managing patrons from seasoned industry professionals with real-world experience by taking the Techniques of Alcohol Management (TAM) ® course offered by TAM® of Nevada. How have you chosen to identify and respond to situations of club drug use?

Resources

© 2011 National Hospitality Institute®, TAM® of Nevada

 

Are You New to Nevada? You Must Complete Nevada-Specific Alcohol Awareness Training

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TAM CardAlcohol education cards from out-of-state won’t transfer in Nevada. Industry professionals should complete alcohol awareness training with TAM® of Nevada to meet local requirements.

Are you a new resident in Las Vegas? Welcome to Nevada! Workers are drawn to this great state for its booming entertainment and nightlife industry, and all of the hospitality jobs that come along with the action.

Have you already received job-related alcohol training in another state? We often receive inquiries from out-of-state students asking if their alcohol education cards and education are valid in Nevada. Unfortunately, liquor laws are specific to the states, counties and municipalities, so no, alcohol licenses are not transferable. All individuals hoping to work in the beverage sales and service industry in Nevada must complete an alcohol training program that has been approved by the Nevada Commission on Postsecondary Education. TAM® of Nevada is an approved provider, and the only official provider of TAM® Cards in the state of Nevada.

Individuals that need to obtain their TAM® Card can complete their training online or in a traditional classroom environment with our certified instructors. Additionally, we now 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 on Tuesdays between 9:00am and 5:00pm. Likewise, classroom-based training is available at several convenient times throughout the week, including Spanish classes on Tuesday evenings. Check out our alcohol awareness class schedule to find a class that is convenient for you!

© 2011 National Hospitality Institute®, TAM® of Nevada