With digital platforms playing an increasingly influential role in the food and beverage industry, well-trained employees can make a substantial difference. As it’s no secret that restaurant employee turnover is a significant issue impacting the industry today, developing POS training programs for your staff is essential.
Creating these programs can be simple, but it may seem challenging without the right strategy in place. While younger employees may adapt more quickly to operating a modern cloud-based POS system, older employees may need help managing new technologies. These challenges can lead to delays in processes and disruptions in workflows.
If you’re currently dealing with this issue, fear not! In this blog post, we will share five essential tips to assist you in training your staff for POS technologies. Get ready to elevate your team’s expertise with these valuable POS training insights!
Why is POS Training so Important Today?
The modern restaurant landscape is embracing technology, with iPads, tablets, and cloud-based POS systems replacing traditional cash registers. According to Worldmetrics, POS systems are used in 37% of restaurants globally. It’s estimated that by 2024, 4 billion people worldwide will be using a mobile POS system, and by the end of 2025, mobile POS systems are expected to process over 40% of all retail transaction value.
These statistics highlight the growing importance and adoption of POS systems in the restaurant and food & beverage industry. They also underscore the industry’s shift towards digital solutions, reflecting its adaptation to the digital age.
Cloud-based POS technologies are not just the future, they’re also the present. Therefore, training employees to master POS payment processing, inventory data management, and rewards programs is a key aspect of staff development. This ensures that everyone can operate the POS system efficiently, reducing errors and improving the speed of service.
Employees Training in POS System Operations: 5 Essential Tips
However, POS training for employees sometimes gets overlooked due to the demanding nature of daily restaurant operations. Therefore, here are 5 tips that certainly will help you streamline the process and ensure your staff becomes POS system pros!
1. Craft a Tailored POS Training Plan:
Start by developing a training plan that caters to your specific POS system and your team’s needs. This roadmap will help you and your staff stay focused on the key areas that require mastery.
Here are some essential topics to consider including:
- System Basics: Mastering the user interface, navigation, and functionalities of your POS system (logging in, logging out, accessing different modules).
- Order Processing: Taking customer orders accurately and efficiently, applying modifiers, handling special requests, and voiding items if needed.
- Payment Processing: Accepting various payment methods (cash, credit cards, debit cards, contactless payments, mobile wallets, and gift cards) securely and following proper procedures for each.
- Inventory Management: Understanding how to locate specific menu items and ingredients within the system, managing stock levels, and potentially creating purchase orders (depending on your POS capabilities).
- Customer Management: Applying loyalty programs, handling customer inquiries and requests (e.g., refunds, discounts), and issuing receipts.
2. Equip Your Staff with Troubleshooting Skills:
Inevitably, technical glitches or user errors can disrupt the flow. Here’s how to prepare your staff:
- Common Issues and Solutions: Identify frequent POS system problems you’ve encountered or anticipate, such as system crashes, frozen software, or payment processing errors. Train your staff on troubleshooting steps for each issue, including system restarts, basic data recovery procedures, or contacting technical support if needed.
- Practice Makes Perfect: Simulate real-world scenarios during training. Inject “errors” and have staff troubleshoot them using their newly acquired skills. This builds confidence and problem-solving abilities.
3. Hands-on Learning is Key:
Theoretical knowledge is valuable, but practical experience solidifies learning. Here’s how to make training POS interactive:
- Practice Transactions: Encourage staff to practice processing transactions, refunds, and voiding items with each other. This allows them to experiment with different functionalities and identify areas where they might need more practice.
- Role-Playing for Confidence: Stage role-playing scenarios that simulate real-world customer interactions. These simulations can involve handling difficult situations, processing complex orders, or dealing with payment malfunctions. The more prepared your staff feels, the more confident they’ll be at handling real-life situations.
4. Modular Training for Busy Schedules:
Hank Boyer, President & CEO of Boyer Management Group, said: “Training that can squeeze into 60-minute segments, as instead of providing training that requires lengthy periods of time, may be advantageous due to scheduling and the cost of integrating workers not planned when the training occurs.
Since restaurant schedules can be hectic, here’s how to make training accessible:
- Bite-Sized Learning: Break down training into concise, modular units. This allows for short bursts of focused learning that can be easily integrated into busy schedules.
- Microlearning Modules: Consider microlearning modules – short, focused training videos or online resources that staff can access on-demand to learn a specific skill or refresh their memory on a particular topic.
5. Embrace Ongoing Support:
Learning doesn’t stop after the initial training. Here’s how to foster continuous improvement:
- Buddy System: Pair newly trained staff with experienced POS users who can answer questions and provide ongoing support. This mentoring relationship can build confidence and provide a safety net for troubleshooting.
- Stay Updated: POS systems are constantly evolving. Stay informed about software updates and incorporate refresher training on new features or functionalities. This ensures your staff remains proficient as the system evolves.
By incorporating these additional training strategies, you can equip your staff with the knowledge, confidence, and problem-solving skills they need to become POS system masters. This translates to a smoother workflow for your restaurant, improved customer service, and a more positive overall experience for your staff.
Invest in Employee POS System Training and Reap the Rewards!
Investing in POS training is an investment in your restaurant’s success. A well-trained staff that can navigate the POS system efficiently will help you streamline operations, improve customer satisfaction, and potentially reduce employee turnover – a win-win for your business.
