Breaking the Turnover Cycle: Empowering Employees through Training and Progression

In this episode of #localbites, we speak with Gina Ratliff, Managing Director of Foxy Loxy Cafe. Gina's journey from Manhattan to Saloma led her to discover her passion for bartending and crafting cocktails. Now overseeing a cafe chain with six unique locations, Gina shares the challenges and strategies behind managing multiple cafes while maintaining their distinct identities and common thread of craft coffee. 
We explore the complexities of managing six cafes, focusing on branding and customer experience. Gina emphasizes the importance of prioritizing employee satisfaction and training, resulting in reduced turnover and a team that aligns with the cafes' values. Cross training plays a vital role in delegation and flexibility within the team. 
Gina also discusses empowering employees, fostering trust, and creating a culture of accountability across different levels of management. She provides insights into the recruitment process and measuring candidate potential. 
In conclusion, this episode offers an inside look at managing a multi-location cafe chain. Gina's expertise in building unique identities for each location provides valuable lessons for entrepreneurs in the hospitality industry. Tune in to gain insights into effective team management, employee training, and more, and learn how to cultivate a successful cafe chain without compromising individuality.

[00:00] Show intro [00:35] Intro to Gina at Foxy Loxy [01:19] Six cafes, six identities, six branding strategies [06:02] The challenges of managing six cafes[09:24] Why did Gina start with the employees instead of the customers?[11:24] Using staff training to avoid high turnover[20:35] Cross training to delegate roles: positive and negative [25:22] Effective communication among the team members[29:57] Delegating responsibility and ensuring trust through the levels[35:16] Attracting and measuring potential employees[39:11] The impact on the customer side [41:54] The best lesson Gina has learned[43:27] Wrapping it up