Vanity Metrics

Chris DeferioPodcast

In coffee, we like to see ourselves making progress and we check our state against certain metrics and goals that we believe, once reached, will transform our business and as bring satisfaction. Today on Shift Break we will be discussing vanity…

Don’t Hire on a Trial Basis

Chris DeferioPodcast

It happens in cafe all over the world. Baristas are hired on a trial basis to see if they are a good fit for the business. On the surface, this practice seems logical and, no doubt, may yield some positive results. But…I believe the practice of…

356 : 5 Barriers to Progress in Your Coffee Shop

Chris DeferioBusiness, Podcast

Many shops make sense on paper but in practice there is something missing. There are lot’s of unseen barriers to progress and success in your shop that get in the way of the best plans no matter how you rearrange the staff, equipment, hours, ingredients, etc. Today you and I will be chatting about five barriers to progress that are …

Do You Need to be the Best Barista in Your Cafe?

Chris DeferioPodcast

I have heard many times from owners that they need to be the best barista in the shop. The idea is that if they are not, then the staff will not respect them and it would compromise their leadership. As you might guess, this is a bit misguided. In…

355: Baristas! 6 Essential Qualities to Get Yourself Hired

Chris DeferioBarista Craft, Podcast

What are some of the qualities that potential employers most value in a barista and why are they important? Today you and I will chat about the answers and how they make a significant difference in how you are perceived and how you find fulfillment in a job. These are not just qualities that let you stand out in a …

Using Slow Times Well as a Barista

Chris DeferioPodcast

We all hate when a shift is slow. It can feel demoralizing, boring, and frustrate even the best barista. What if these times on the bar are not all bad though? What if instead of seeing these times as a waste, we saw them as an opportunity. …

354 : Management Master Class w/ Ryan Fisher of Erewhon Market, L.A.

Chris DeferioManagement, Podcast

Operations management is a distinct from cafe management. At a certain point in your coffee business’ growth it become necessary to have someone whose job it is to manage managers and oversee the operations of the retail shops. This is a critical role that is as much about leadership as it is about decisiveness and and systems. Today we will …