Every year, new technologies emerge, and many of these technologies are designed specifically to help restaurants improve efficiency and boost profitability.
The capabilities of new restaurant technology are endless. Today’s restaurant software and technology systems can resolve long wait times, better manage supplies, and organize business operations.
The following are examples of the most recent new restaurant technology that are being implemented nationwide:
- Digital signs
- Digital menus
- Electronic payment system
- Mobile ordering
- Delivery-ordering and tracking
- Scheduling software
- Digital inventory tracking and automated purchasing tools
- Tabletop tablets
How will you leverage this new and upcoming restaurant technology?
Even more, how will you train your staff to evolve with this changing technology?
Keep reading to learn about a few techniques to onboard your employees for the next big rollout.
Table of Contents
New Restaurant Technology Training Techniques
Gather Important Training Materials
Implementing new technology means your staff will need to learn a new software system or piece of equipment.
A training manual sets the standard for how the technology should be operated. Also, proper training manuals ensure that employees have the appropriate knowledge to use the technology accurately, increasing efficiency, and business profit.
In this case, paper-based training manuals are most effective at communicating a message.
It is true—digital materials are often cheaper. Despite this, various studies support the idea that readers comprehend and retain more information from paper materials than a digital pamphlet.
In other words, you can cut costs with a digital training manual. However, you’ll pay for it later if employees don’t comprehend the information.
Design Your Training Initiatives
When training staff in new restaurant technology, it’s important to remember that everyone learns differently. Therefore, you may need to use a few teaching techniques during your training session(s).
For example, some people are visual learners, which means they learn best by reading or seeing pictures. Other people are auditory learners, which means they learn best by having someone explain something to them. Lastly, tactile/kinesthetic learners will learn best when given hands-on training.
Your restaurant likely has a mixture of every type of learner. Is it possible to accommodate every kind of learning within your training program?
For instance, the printed training materials provide an excellent basis for visual learners and serves as a reference for all employees during the rollout.
You may also consider creating a visual and oral presentation. Explain what your goal is regarding the new technology, how you intend to implement it, your plan for rollout, and how to operate the technology. This way, all employees are on the same page and ready to learn.
After the presentation, show the team how to operate the technology. If possible, have employees operate it themselves. That way, each person gets a hands-on learning experience. If hands-on instruction isn’t possible due to time constraints, consider scheduling a separate time for shadowing.
Train Your Managers First
When your leading employees become experts in technology, they can teach the other employees.
This way of training may be the best option for busy restaurants where there isn’t much downtime. Employees can work together to collaborate and learn while not putting too much pressure on one person to train the entire restaurant staff at once.
It may be best to host an educational, hands-on experience where the group leaders in your restaurant can become familiar with the technology. Once your group leaders become experts in the technology, they can teach the other employees using the training materials you printed.
Be Enthusiastic About Your Vision
It may be hard for older employees to catch on to the new equipment, and some may even resist some of the changes.
Be clear about how and when you intend the product to be used. For instance, if the new restaurant technology is meant to replace an old one, show how the new product will be part of a new routine.
Be positive about it and talk about how it will improve your company. When you show how exciting the new technology can be, your employees may be more likely to get involved in the process.
As an option, share the positive effects the new technology is having on your business weekly. It can help the staff see how successful the change is.
Print Your Training Materials Today!
If you have more than one restaurant location, you may consider getting a roll out kit, which includes all the printed material you would need for your restaurant changes.
For instance, do you need server cards, quiz sheets, new table tents, or menus? The right printing company can create everything you need for every one of your restaurant locations.
The Print Authority has custom roll out kits for any new restaurant implementations you may need. They can print custom training materials and other printed products and send them to any of your restaurant locations.
Their graphic design program, customizable web to print portal, commercial printing services, and binding services allow you to design and create exactly what you need to roll out your new restaurant technology.
In addition, The Print Authority has revolutionized the printing industry with their on-demand printing services. If you would like to print a continuous supply of products or would like to ship your training materials to different locations, on-demand printing may be the perfect cost-effective solution! You can make changes to your order without paying extra fees, avoid backorders, save on storage space, and order items when you need them.
For more information, contact The Print Authority today!
