Shift Manager Review

I am basically a deputy manager. I am responsible for the day to day running of the premises on every level, from BOH to FOH and including clerical duties. Myself I normally close the pub, (which is a club on Fridays and Saturdays). So I run dinner service, and all the normal hospitality jobs each night. I then count all tills, log the hours worked and then set the alarms and lock up.

It has mainly been developing existing skills I have found. It is very easy whilst working to ignore the bigger picture and just concentrate on each individual shift and simply 'getting it done'. Working with Jo has reignited my interest in the job and has also taught me to look further into and see the bigger picture at my workplace. Also several phrases and simply ideas/changes have been rather useful.

I really enjoy the programme. I attended university over ten years ago and feel that I have a forgotten a lot of what I learnt in my degree. The brain is just like a muscle and if you don't use it, it atrophies. I also really enjoy having something to put my focus into. My trainer is also quiet relaxed but still proficient which I find really helps me study and enjoy learning.

It appears to be very well organised. I get email reminders from my teacher and from lifetime, which always keep me in the loop. I am able to access online resources as and when I need them which is pretty cool. Jo always texts me a reminder a week before our meet ups, so I can make sure the rota has been done to include my training. The print outs online and Youtube style videos are all pretty idiot proof too.

My employer has been extremely supportive. My manager was doing a degree himself, my KM just finished a NVQ and several other staff members have completed or are doing courses. So it is a very conducive environment in which to learn and hopefully better ourselves. I believe this is the case across the whole Wetherspoon estate.

My training provider has been extremely helpful. Our one to one sessions have been very informative and useful I feel and she set my mind at ease when I first started. My trainer is very good at responding to emails and normally if I send her a message she has replied within the hour or less, which has been really great.

So far my qualification has made me take a step back and view the business through different lenses. I can now see how things such as P&L and budgeting are of paramount importance. The course has also made me take another look at how the staff view coming to work and how the customers who we have view the pub. Looking at the psychology behind a conducive work environment has I believe made me alter the management styles and techniques I use for the better.

Well the team here is all very sociable, but I don't think going out to our local bar on a Thursday (all drinks £1.50 including pints of Peroni) really counts. In truth I like to keep my work life and personal life separate, as a manger I feel being overly friendly with your staff can lead to complications. We do have the annual company football and dart tournaments though and the team all play Xbox together and have a team? (sorry I'm not a gamer)

Yes

It is a company in which you can realistically progress if you're happy to work hard and put in the effort. Also in this economic climate there is a security to working in one of the top UK pub companies. As a manger I also feel I get some great perks such as Free shares, Free food on shift and a team which does work with and for you.

I don't think there's anything I can say which isn't common sense. Be polite, dress smart, learn about the company before you apply and be prepared to work hard. All training can be given on job. I myself always appreciate honesty, and if a person is humble then I'm sold.