Training people is hard in any job, just make sure to ask what their learning style is so you can take a more hands on approach or a visual approach, whatever will help them.

It was my first week and I am having a lot of fun but it really feels like a lot of information all at once!

For some reason I'm having a hard time getting hot bar down. My trainer is super nice and would show me the drink first then I would tell him how to make the drink as he made it then I would make it myself. Really helped me get in a groove.

1. It will take a few times training different people for you to improve your skills to the point where you're able to become a really good barista trainer. I've trained six partners so far and it was only in by the last two that I felt I really knew what I was doing. Don't sweat the small stuff if you make small mistakes.

2. Always ask yourself am i setting up this journey for success? Yes or No? A big thing for me was training a barista while we had a busy floor and my attention would sometimes go and drift towards customers. If anything comes up and you are unsure if you should leave your barista trainee to do something always ask yourself is me doing this setting up my green bean for success? If the answer is no Let it Go and rely on your partners to deal with Cafe issues.

3. Figure out your green beans learning style! There's an exorbitant amount of information in terms of recipes on cold and hot bar that's your green bean is going to need to learn. Are they a visual learner in the sense that writing things down solidifies their memory? Are they an auditory learner will they have to hear you tell them the steps to do it to really solidify the knowledge? Do they just have to see you do it and then do it themselves? The latter is going to be the majority of people so always rely on that one if unsure.

4. Prepare, prepare, prepare! If you're going to cold bar, make sure nothing is going to impede your ability to train your green bean. So do you have enough ice to get you through the training? Do you need to make any backups of refreshers or teas? If you're on hot bar do you have enough milks? This may not be an issue but it can really throw off your rhythm and confidence if you don't feel prepared.

5. Be super super friendly to your green bean. It was on almost fact that every barista that started off felt the feeling of overwhelmingness in their first few weeks days and months. Even if they're not doing everything perfectly give them constant positive feedback and encouragement. Even more, befriend them and use downtime especially during CS training to get to know them and familiarize their self to make them feel more at ease and more likely to ask questions and be honest about where they are at.

6. Recognize and accept that you are going to make mistakes as a trainer. You will probably forget one or two topics in every area of training on your first go around. That is okay. It's not important that your trainee gets 100% knowledge of everything but rather that they have a solid foundation of 50-70% by the end of the training sessions, and know where to go or who/what to ask for bridging that last 30% gap.

7. Always ask questions clarifying understanding. "Is what I'm saying clear?" "Do you have any questions?" "Do you want me to show you again?" Etc. Etc.

Hope this helps!! Have fun!!

my advice: don’t be afraid to check the recipe cards on store resources. when i was training every time i made drink i got told 3 different ways to do it. i eventually just ignored everyone (including my trainer who told me the wrong thing on numerous occasions) and checked the recipes when i was unsure. it’s been a life saver

Be sure to not criticize them for mistakes. If you’re going to drill one thing in their head drill the correct day for times.

I’m a new trainer too and I love it so far! I make sure to show my trainees where they can find helpful resources, like recipes & whatnot in the iPad, recipe cards etc. Also if your store has a list of tasks for CS I’d point that out too!

I also have been writing the amount pumps and shots on cups of each size and put em on top of the mastrena when we do hot bar

Omg I start training people next week and I’m so excited but I have already been helping semi train people for a bit and may I recommend stickers as a reward. Let them know they are doing great. Tell them about how you struggled on similar things too when you first started it always makes them laugh. As much hands on as possible it works great if they look nervous ask if they want to sit and talk things over for a minute and ask them how they like their coffee and make them a drink I loved that my trainer did that for me we literally had coffee and went over some stuff it really helps make someone feel more welcomed

i’ve trained about 4 baristas, and have been nervous every single time. but here’s some tips that have helped me with each person i’ve trained. in no particular order :,)

1. know theyre learning style! chances are there’s gonna be a lot of info dumping on them in one sitting. some people like to know WHY we do things and require a little more explanation for them to not only understand but also remember what you’re telling them. ask them straight up about it and figure out where their comfort level is!

2. like i mentioned, it’s probably gonna be a lot of information dumping which makes it really hard for people to remember information right out the gate. but i’ve found that my trainees are more likely to remember what they learn if we space out their computer training. so instead of having them spend an entire shift (or more) on JUST computer training i have them do 1-2 modules based on what we are covering for the day. for example if i’m ready to teach them bar, i have them do the ‘quality assurance’ ‘espresso’ and ‘beverage sequencing’ in barista basics and then we get to be hands on with everything they just read.

3. if you find that your trainee doesn’t take well to info dumping in general, recognize that training is an ongoing process beyond the 5 days you spend with them. you don’t need to explain EVERYTHING right away, just get them the basics so that they can become comfortable and then start throwing in the other skills as they work more shifts. for example, when i teach customer support i give them the basics of what needs to get done (cups lids milks trashes) and after our training as they get more comfortable in the store i’ll lead them into doing things like filling our backup cabinets.

3. along with that, plan out what you’re gonna do on what days!!!! i know a lot of trainers that have either never heard of the training plan, or never used it. but it can honestly be SO helpful. the key to using it is looking at what shifts you guys have together and determine based on the day of the week / time of day what position to teach on which day. for example, i work at a high volume drive through store so it’s really hard to teach people espresso bar when we are in the middle of a rush, so if we have a shift during peak hours i’m gonna plan for us to learn customer support or front register on that day instead of espresso bar.

4. lastly, one thing my supervisor told me once that has stuck with me everytime i’ve trained somebody is : train the barista you want to work with. starbucks is a very team built job. the barista that you want to work with is gonna be the one that pulls their weight, works hard, supports other positions, and can be flexible in any area. so lead them to be that partner because you’re the one that’s in control of teaching them how your store runs!