Opening, Pre-Opening, and Post Opening Chapter 12

Grand Opening. Final stages are critical, you will need to dig deep Grand Opening! Final stages are critical, you will need to dig deep! The following are actions you might need to take in the following weeks after opening.

Pre-Opening DEALING WITH EXPERTS AREAS OF CONCERN Accountants, lawyers, marketing firms, consultants They all want to build relationships. You pay for the relationship hourly. Price shopping is nearly impossible. You have a big decision to make. Pre-Opening AREAS OF CONCERN You must be comfortable with the expert. Ask for the hourly rate and how billing is done. Avoid the leading question ‘how are things going?’ Question the bill if it does not seem right. If the relationship starts to not feel right, STOP!

SERVICE CONTRACTS TYPES Real estate agent, trash, phone service, uniform/ linens, pest control, alarm company, credit card companies WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR Auto renewal Sales of their company- terminates the contract at your option Sales or closure of your company- they become baggage Term Fix prices- no change for the term of the contract Any service changes starts a new term. No Way! Default- how to cancel SERVICE CONTRACTS

Just before opening REVIEW YOUR GRAND OPENING CHECKLIST Store Manager- is that you? Head Baker Construction status Punch list Contractors warranty Staff- hire 4 weeks out- interview 6 weeks out Social Media Set your pay policy Cleaning & Setting the store Training is key- take it seriously, give them time and tools to succeed Grand opening social media, press release Check your register and CC equipment Make sure supplies are flowing Set the store! Clean, walk, observe Set plan o grams for cases and production sheets Just before opening

More on opening  Invite people for lunch Things do go wrong Friends Family Local businesses Give incentive for opening days Find a Small Business Development Corporation Consultant- they are free! More on opening  Things do go wrong Equipment can break Construction can take longer than expected Try to relax Do not lose your cool. For every second you lose your cool, it takes an hour to repair the damage.

What if something happens to you? EMERGENCY NUMBERS What if something happens to you? Your staff?

Emergency Police Emergency Nonpolice Hospital Staff Emergency Numbers Plumber, electrician, contractor, etc

Opening the doors! Opening do’s Have a plan for each area Protect your cash. Encourage communication Share information that’s selling with the team Record when items are sold out. Listen to customers Have pockets! Take breads Look for issues Recap results Opening the doors!

Opening the doors! Opening don’t’s Run the store or run errands Talk on the phone Run over your supervisors Visit with salespeople Gossip Express frustration Use foul language Opening the doors!

What is a Runaway? MANAGE A RUNAWAY - If your sales are far greater than you expected, get help! Call any additional deliveries and services Find people that can help short term- even from another bakery Call a temp agency Revisit/ Adjust production Revisit store hours Revisit sales staff Ask friends and family for help! What is a Runaway?

Post opening Expect to make changes!! Adjust production Decide on what needs attention first, second, third Stay on top of labor! Ask some of these questions pg 251 Walk your store daily Post opening Adjust production Make sure you record customer requests Increase top sellers Decrease non sellers

BIG MISTAKES Production Review Questions Bakers want to make what they like, how they like it A new store is a baby for at least a year. Don’t back off of training team members. BIG MISTAKES Review Questions Pg 254 Pg 255