Starbucks Baristas: The daily grind
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Just got promoted to shift last week! For all you stellar shifts out there, what’s some advice you can give me? (self.starbucksbaristas)
submitted by bigdumboldthrowaway
esaeklsg 11 points 2y ago
Communicate with and observe your baristas to see what they need from you. Some work better with lists (more specific than the CSR cards) and some work better more independently. Some want to know what you’re doing when you’re working on shift tasks and some don’t care. Some might have a medical issue they don’t talk about as much that makes xyz harder for them. Make sure you make space for them to tell you what they need from you.
When you have to coach explain the /why/. Also don’t be afraid to say “I think xyz but I’ll have to double check.” Baristas can often be told contradictory things from different shifts and that gets real frustrating real fast. Don’t be the shift that is teaching something incorrectly and trying to act sure about it. On that note, don’t take word of mouth for truth. Look up the papers/weekly updates / recipes.
Don’t forget breaks; if breaks are gonna be at an odd or late time for whatever reason, give your baristas a heads up.
When you have to coach explain the /why/. Also don’t be afraid to say “I think xyz but I’ll have to double check.” Baristas can often be told contradictory things from different shifts and that gets real frustrating real fast. Don’t be the shift that is teaching something incorrectly and trying to act sure about it. On that note, don’t take word of mouth for truth. Look up the papers/weekly updates / recipes.
Don’t forget breaks; if breaks are gonna be at an odd or late time for whatever reason, give your baristas a heads up.
xFreebutter 10 points 2y ago
Keep a cool head and realize that most of the time you are going to be the difference between the baristas have a good shift or a bad shift. Be the SSV that baristas get happy to see on the schedule, not the one they dread seeing and then you will find that your job gets *much* easier.
ajd0224 6 points 2y ago
Congrats! Best advice i can give is to trust yourself and realize that you are the voice between the sm and the baristas so remember to not talk down but to stay involved with the baristas, you are their leader not their boss.
Another thing is to think on your toes and problem solve and try not to bother your sm with every problem you encounter, figure it out and do your best (they will be grateful you aren’t calling at 6am on their day off because of something silly that wasn’t an emergency )
End of the day remember this. You got this, there will be good days and bad days but either way tomorrow is a new day and a chance to approach it a new way. Congrats on the raise and promotion🤙🏼
Another thing is to think on your toes and problem solve and try not to bother your sm with every problem you encounter, figure it out and do your best (they will be grateful you aren’t calling at 6am on their day off because of something silly that wasn’t an emergency )
End of the day remember this. You got this, there will be good days and bad days but either way tomorrow is a new day and a chance to approach it a new way. Congrats on the raise and promotion🤙🏼
Itchy_Refrigerator_1 5 points 2y ago
Don’t keep people in the same spot. Let your employees explore different positions and push them out of their comfort zone. Every barista has it in them to do DTO and bar! Don’t just keep them planted in bar for weeks on end. I understand times matter and during peak we need our strongest players in the best positions, but that doesn’t mean you can’t play around before and after peak.
Also I understand how tempting it can be to talk to your fellow barista’s about a certain person (gossip), but as a shift you need to separate your emotions and not talk bad about your employees. It creates a toxic atmosphere for that person and honestly hurts the crew. Talk to your shifts, but not in front of everyone.
Congratulations!!!!
Also I understand how tempting it can be to talk to your fellow barista’s about a certain person (gossip), but as a shift you need to separate your emotions and not talk bad about your employees. It creates a toxic atmosphere for that person and honestly hurts the crew. Talk to your shifts, but not in front of everyone.
Congratulations!!!!
writer_savant 5 points 2y ago
Congratulations on your promotion!
bigdumboldthrowaway [OP] 3 points 2y ago
Thank you so much!!
writer_savant 1 points 2y ago
You’re welcome. :)
sevgi_ 2 points 2y ago
Tell your baristas what time their breaks will be, ask them how they are feeling on the positions you assigned and stay consistent.
Critical-Specialist4 2 points 2y ago
Congrats! Long time food service guy here. Been with Starbucks for 1.5 years. Became a shift in June. My best advice always is to not let the things from each day bother you. If you have a abd day or shift just remember that no matter what, the day will end, the doors will lock, and the craziness has an endpoint. No need to add extra stress on yourself.
Be prepared, ask questions, double check your knowledge and know that each day is a chance to make it better than the last!
Be prepared, ask questions, double check your knowledge and know that each day is a chance to make it better than the last!
resentnothing 1 points 2y ago
Also be mindful that some baristas will feel entitled to be coddled, and they will expect you to drop whatever you're in the middle of (even if it's making a drink, or helping out another partner) and help them immediately because they lack patience and maturity, and they will cry about it in an attempt to make you look bad because they don't comprehend that even SSVs are humans.
RoaringDragonite 1 points 2y ago
The faster you can do your book work the more time you can be on the floor. If you’re not doing the order or on break. Don’t be in the back. Be on the floor. If the baristas can see you then they know you can help if they have any questions.
If you go to the back for a time. Let the baristas know they can shout if they need help and you will drop everything for them.
Also. You’re going to have to do a lot of conflict resolution. You work for starbucks. You know how bad our customers can be. Just try to keep in mind that whenever a barista gets into it with a customer and you have to step in that that’s probably the xth shitty human they’ve had to deal with in however many minutes. You’re the fresh face who can deal with it and shield them. The baristas are your babies. Protect them.
If you go to the back for a time. Let the baristas know they can shout if they need help and you will drop everything for them.
Also. You’re going to have to do a lot of conflict resolution. You work for starbucks. You know how bad our customers can be. Just try to keep in mind that whenever a barista gets into it with a customer and you have to step in that that’s probably the xth shitty human they’ve had to deal with in however many minutes. You’re the fresh face who can deal with it and shield them. The baristas are your babies. Protect them.
bigdumboldthrowaway [OP] 2 points 2y ago
Thank you!! This commend definitely helped me because I always have been feeling weird being on the floor because I always think I should be doing a shift task at all times.
RoaringDragonite 1 points 2y ago
The best way to do it is multitask. You’re counting the safe? Also be on register.
You’re doing milk counts in the morning? Restock their fridge if it’s missing anything.
Counting pastries to see what you need to pull? Also do the warming.
The most important part of your job is setting the tone of the floor. If the baristas see you killing it and helping a little bit everywhere you go then they’ll take your example.
You’re never gonna ask them to do anything you wouldn’t do. Same idea that you’re never gonna ask them to work harder than you are working. So the harder you work. The more they’ll see that you’re busting your ass. Tbh when I first started as a shift I was worried about my baristas not doing what I asked them to. But if they see you working hard and helping them. They will want to help you too :)
Oh also one other note. I know starbucks is very “coach in the moment. When you see something you should immediately correct it”
But for the most part “time and place” matter too. Not a lot is so important that it needs to said then and there. A lot of the time it can be said when you connect with them at the end of their shift. Try to limit it to one or two coaching in the moment per shift. And the rest can be brought up gradually.
You’re doing milk counts in the morning? Restock their fridge if it’s missing anything.
Counting pastries to see what you need to pull? Also do the warming.
The most important part of your job is setting the tone of the floor. If the baristas see you killing it and helping a little bit everywhere you go then they’ll take your example.
You’re never gonna ask them to do anything you wouldn’t do. Same idea that you’re never gonna ask them to work harder than you are working. So the harder you work. The more they’ll see that you’re busting your ass. Tbh when I first started as a shift I was worried about my baristas not doing what I asked them to. But if they see you working hard and helping them. They will want to help you too :)
Oh also one other note. I know starbucks is very “coach in the moment. When you see something you should immediately correct it”
But for the most part “time and place” matter too. Not a lot is so important that it needs to said then and there. A lot of the time it can be said when you connect with them at the end of their shift. Try to limit it to one or two coaching in the moment per shift. And the rest can be brought up gradually.
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