Your training staff is the core of your business, as they are the creme de la creme of your staff. It is important not to underestimate the power that your training staff has over your staff. They are leaders and are looking for answers on a number of issues by other staff members. To maintain a motivated training staff it is important that, as a manager, you continue to develop your trainers as leaders and keep them motivated in the food service or hospitality industry. There are several ways to maintain motivation in your training staff including monthly meetings, trainer outings, and offering them opportunities to be leaders.

Use regular meetings for trainer input

Whether you are in the hospitality and resort industry or restaurant and food service industries, it is critical that you routinely ask for your trainer’s input and opinions on the business as a whole and try to make changes accordingly. This may range from opinions on how to keep bread baking consistent to a different method of managing a wait or handling customer complaints. They will often speak up with opinions that several other staff members have asked them to inquire about. Monthly meetings are excellent ways to keep them speaking up to management about rules, policies, and other changes that need to be made.

Brandon Holland, a trainer manager, likes to give his trainers small assignments. One that he especially enjoys is purchasing copies of the book, How to Win Friends and Influence People. Trainers were to read a chapter per month and they discussed the chapters at their monthly trainer meetings. The book discusses how to be a leader and how to motivate people. Trainers are often used to delegate information from managers to employees and they must be able to do so without sounding condescending toward their fellow employees. They should also be able to have an opinion on which employees would make excellent additions to the training staff. Meetings are also excellent opportunities to play short motivational games and team-building activities.

Take your training team out for a night of fun and team building

Trainer outings are also excellent opportunities for trainers to enjoy each other’s company and learn more about each other. Take your trainers out to a nice dinner, go to the movies, play paintball, put-put golf, or do other activities that they enjoy. This is an excellent opportunity to forget about the restaurant, hotel, or resort. These outings allow employees to talk and interact without the worries of their hospitality jobs. Outings are excellent for showing your appreciation for all of their hard work and help. Employees as a whole need to feel that they are appreciated, but if you are able to keep your training staff feeling appreciated they will be willing to work harder and will encourage others to do so as well.

Build motivated trainers with easy tasks

Trainers will also benefit and build their leadership abilities by having specific responsibilities. In the restaurant or food service industry, you can give your trainer restaurant jobs such as maintaining the uniform inventory or updating sales contest results on a regular basis. This gives them specific functions and employees know exactly who to go to if they have questions concerning that trainer’s area. Trainers should also be given the responsibility of developing employees for becoming trainers themselves. They should help each other prepare individuals for induction in the training team by discussing with them training policies and having them help with the training of new employees.

If you have one trainer in particular who works above and beyond the call of duty, consider taking that individual under your wing and give them a title such as Training Coordinator. If this individual has intentions of remaining in the company and possibly pursuing a management position, this is an excellent opportunity for the trainer to learn the systems involved in your business.

Keep everyone motivated!

Motivated trainers can make or break your staff. Keeping them motivated will keep your staff motivated. Other employees see them enjoying their jobs and working to make the workplace a better environment for all. They are often very enthusiastic about sales contests and other functions. They should all have the same vision and goals for the business and they will be able to help managers in a variety of functions that will take less stress off of you as a manager. Use your trainers wisely and keep them motivated and you will see positive changes in your staff as a whole.