Starbucks Baristas: The daily grind
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is it possible to learn shift stuff as a barista? (self.starbucksbaristas)
submitted by changbinsomnia
i just dont know what i want anymore. i think knowing how to do some or most shift stuff before apply/becoming a shift. i wanna see if i could actually deal with it before making the commitment.
5AV1OR 14 points 11m ago
It’s actually in the Ops to Excellence book that a big step from working towards a shift is attempting things like running a floor (with a SSV supervising/guiding) so OP i would definitely ask your SM about doing that! It’s lots of fun!!
changbinsomnia [OP] 2 points 11m ago
will do! i actually applied to be a shift and there was an interview ready for me but i backed out and he seemed fine with it. im afraid asking to do that so soon will look bad on me though :(
sadthrow420 2 points 11m ago
I think it’ll show him you take it seriously! You didn’t want to half-ass the position, so you backed out. It’s like a working interview. You try out the position, see if you like it and are good at it. He’d probably appreciate the thought you put into it
7beforeminutes5 8 points 11m ago
Some shifts will let you shadow them a bit and will mentor you. You just have to talk to one you think might be interested and see what they say
changbinsomnia [OP] 3 points 11m ago
got one in mind, thank u
OkFile6842 4 points 11m ago
My store actually trained me for months doing shift stuff before I actually interviewed and was promoted! It really made the transition from barista to shift supervisor a lot easier. Especially since my official training was really rushed
floofxs2 3 points 11m ago
Yes just tell your manager you are considering it as a possibility in the future and they’ll set it up so you can learn tasks during your shifts over time I’ve seen lots of partners do it that way. I was a shift at a different restaurant before SBs and honestly I don’t think they increase the pay enough for the volume of work that’s added. But it depends on the store and your future goals.
Flowerfuls 2 points 11m ago
No. You shouldn’t be doing most of it before being a shift. You’re not getting paid to do it and some might take advantage of that.
It’s mostly about mentality. Can you handle extra stress ? Are you ready for that? That’s what you should think.
It’s mostly about mentality. Can you handle extra stress ? Are you ready for that? That’s what you should think.
changbinsomnia [OP] 3 points 11m ago
idc about the pay if im being honest.. i just wanna know what i'd be getting myself into. if i become a shift.. i dont know whether i'd stay at my store or transfer. i work at one of the busiest stores in my state. im just getting nagged at by my parents about becoming a shift and i cant take it anymore. i dont really want to become one at the moment but i guess it's gonna have to happen sooner rather than later
Flowerfuls 3 points 11m ago
My parents nagged me endlessly too about promoting haha. Just make sure you want to… it can burn you out fast if it’s not something you really want to do. :(
changbinsomnia [OP] 1 points 11m ago
thats what im scared of
Perfect-Leadership58 1 points 11m ago
yeah! i’ve gotten to help with counts and stuff when it’s slow, i just asked the shift if i could help and insisted that it seemed like something i’d enjoy (i did)
Good_Pay_4439 1 points 11m ago
As a shift, I actively encourage any partner in my store interested in becoming one to shadow me when they can. I walk them through the SSV tasks they are able to perform and have them do those once they feel comfortable. The following tasks are things you can do without being a shift:
-Pull to thaw
-Run breaks (I usually give the person a list of who and when.. this is a way for them to get a feel of running the floor)
-delegate tasks (this is situation specific. I also make a list of who should do what and explain to everyone on Floor that I made the list and am giving it to the partner to delegate so they can build experience)
-count inventory
Things baristas CANNOT do:
Handle money. (Make deposit, pull tips, etc)
It's in the field ops excellence book what you should do to prepare for being a SSV. I love developing my fellow partners and that is also part of the path to becoming an ASM/SM. Show that you are invested in your team however you can.
It's also a really amazing bonding experience professionally speaking. I have a deeper and stronger working relationship with some of the newer SSVs at my store because I was part of them getting that position AND they felt far more comfortable and ready to do their new position when they were finished training.
Win/win in my book.
-Pull to thaw
-Run breaks (I usually give the person a list of who and when.. this is a way for them to get a feel of running the floor)
-delegate tasks (this is situation specific. I also make a list of who should do what and explain to everyone on Floor that I made the list and am giving it to the partner to delegate so they can build experience)
-count inventory
Things baristas CANNOT do:
Handle money. (Make deposit, pull tips, etc)
It's in the field ops excellence book what you should do to prepare for being a SSV. I love developing my fellow partners and that is also part of the path to becoming an ASM/SM. Show that you are invested in your team however you can.
It's also a really amazing bonding experience professionally speaking. I have a deeper and stronger working relationship with some of the newer SSVs at my store because I was part of them getting that position AND they felt far more comfortable and ready to do their new position when they were finished training.
Win/win in my book.
Affectionate_Fart 1 points 11m ago
So actually during my SSV training, the modules expressed that the shift is doing inventory, pull to thaw, and whatnot and that it should be delegated. You can delegate FIFO (rotation and facing product) but not the actual counting of inventory.
I also don’t agree with letting a barista run the floor because that can cause tension from other baristas as time progresses (there could be arching mentalities with partners). And this comes from someone who has assigned someone as CS role and not dictated they’re an “honorary shift”… I think shadowing what a shift does can be useful but the barista themself should not be doing the tasks.
I also don’t agree with letting a barista run the floor because that can cause tension from other baristas as time progresses (there could be arching mentalities with partners). And this comes from someone who has assigned someone as CS role and not dictated they’re an “honorary shift”… I think shadowing what a shift does can be useful but the barista themself should not be doing the tasks.
Good_Pay_4439 1 points 11m ago
Is it possible that there are different standards amongst districts or regions? I have been specifically instructed that I can and should do the things I listed to help interested partners develop by my SM and my RM. Everything I do as a SSV in that specific regard is done with the full knowledge and support of my SM and RM.
Our store is really great about communication and everyone has been on board with how we develop interested partners. Personally, I stay on the floor while the practicing partner is running the floor, so that may help as well. I can absolutely see how what you've mentioned could be an issue and I am sure with the right mix of temperament and personalities it will turn out that way. We've been careful, selective, and most of all...lucky.
Our store is really great about communication and everyone has been on board with how we develop interested partners. Personally, I stay on the floor while the practicing partner is running the floor, so that may help as well. I can absolutely see how what you've mentioned could be an issue and I am sure with the right mix of temperament and personalities it will turn out that way. We've been careful, selective, and most of all...lucky.
Affectionate_Fart 1 points 11m ago
I’m honestly not sure but only because I’m a new shift, as of Jan, and was not a shift when I was previously employed. But the way my shifts enlightened me on “progressing” to SSV was “You take initiative, are doing things that aren’t asked (like breaking down cold bar and wiping it while the SSV who is doing preclose cleans containers and pumps), communicating to CS that you’re low on something before you’re out, acknowledging and coaching as a trainer (to standard or ect.) …we were never expected to run the floor or tell others when to break or ect. And as far as I’ve really considered, the DCR/DRB are for SSV/SM to communicate and for the DM to see how things are going on a daily rate. Under the coaching section, I’ve written that I’ve coached someone and have see baristas read what they’re not supposed to just because they’re nosey. I wrote in the book because I don’t agree with blowing up my SM’s phone at 7pm or so…
Good_Pay_4439 1 points 11m ago
Complete side note: I completely adore your username. It's FANTASTIC!
Good_Pay_4439 1 points 11m ago
Personally, I've only ever had a barista "run" the floor if they choose to, and only in short increments outside of peak but I also assume not everyone would be comfortable or want to. That is an additional level of stress and responsibility. As for coaching I've seen that go really bad super fast when a barista wanting to show initiative does it the wrong way. (I'm sure anyone can make that mistake regardless of actual position.)
Everyone in our store looks at the book and DCR regardless of position but I think our store is, in certain ways, a strange outlier. We're the only corporate store in our area, and the nearest one to us is about a 40 minute drive away. Our SM has specifically told our leadership team that she has never seen any other store in our district operate the way ours does. So that may be a significant detail I left out.
Everyone in our store looks at the book and DCR regardless of position but I think our store is, in certain ways, a strange outlier. We're the only corporate store in our area, and the nearest one to us is about a 40 minute drive away. Our SM has specifically told our leadership team that she has never seen any other store in our district operate the way ours does. So that may be a significant detail I left out.
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