Malc’s Monthly Posting

Making the best of what lies ahead for the local economy.

How to recession-proof your business

For cafés, restaurants, & other catering businesses, Easter is traditionally seen as the launch of the tourist season, a season on which many are completely reliant, – & in the current economic downturn many have their fingers crossed as they enter a make or break season.

“It doesn’t have to be like that!” says local expert.

Malcolm Harris, director of The Café Academy, a Cornish based company that specialises in turning around struggling or failing small businesses is confident there are many opportunities for the region’s retailers, [Read more…] about Surviving The Recession

In a recent report from one of the country’s most successful marketing experts, it concludes:
Most Advertising Does Not Work!

Some of the most… [Read more…] about Before you Advertise… Read this first

5 Things That Make a Bad Café or Restaurant

1. Unkempt shop front. Old, faded, tatty awnings, faded, dirty-looking plastic chairs, crumbling paintwork, near-dead pot plants & a badly written A-frame with an almost illegible ‘specials’ offering, then I’m sorry, but I’m not crossing the threshold.
   The establishment may well have a lush, comfortable & atmospheric interior with a great menu, superb service & a great dining experience, but if the approach from the outside is [Read more…] about 5 Things That Make a Bad Café or Restaurant

5 Things That Make a Good Café or Restaurant

1. Knowledgeable staff. Even if they’re busy, they notice you on arrival. A smile of acknowledgement is all it takes. They know the basics. If you ask what the soup of the day is, or are the eggs free-range, “I don’t know” is not the answer. You expect them to [Read more…] about 5 Things That Make a Good Café or Restaurant

One of the common oversights I see, is a lack of understanding of the TOTAL costs of staff when budgeting & pricing in the beginning.

What about your contributions to their National Insurance? What about their holiday & sick pay? In a very small operation, where there’s not enough staff to cover someone’s absence, you may have to hire more staff – paying twice fore the same job. These (& other issues) can make a vast difference to your running costs.
Make sure you have budgeted for this in your business plan running costs.

Understanding budgets & margins. Attracting & keeping customers is one thing, but [Read more…] about Common Oversights – Staff Budgeting