by Abby Henson | 12 Oct, 2017 | Blog, Sales Figures
S4Labour are continuing our sponsorship of Propel events with the final Multi-Club Conference of 2017. The conference will take place on Wednesday 1st November at the Millennium Gloucester Hotel in London.
We will have a stand in the refreshments and networking area and will be available throughout the day to discuss controlling costs, driving greater sales, improving HR processes, and just about anything else of interest.
The day will as ever see a host of informative and inspiring speakers from all sectors of hospitality taking the stage. Amongst them will be Darrel Connel of investment fund Imbiba, which backs several S4Labour clients, and Richard Boon, founder of burger concept Hubbox, who recently signed up to use our labour scheduling and HR software. The full schedule for the day can be viewed here.
Operators of multi-site companies can claim two free places at the conference, which will also provide ample opportunities for networking with some of the industry’s most skilled and visionary figures.
As demonstrated by the summer conference, Propel events are always a fantastic opportunity to hear from and interact with hospitality’s best people. We’re looking forward to seeing many S4Labour customers – old, new, and future – there.
by Abby Henson | 11 Oct, 2017 | Blog, Sales Figures
At S4Labour we work with over 100 of Britain’s best hospitality organisations, ranging from award-winning single site and small multi-site operators right up to some of the country’s best-loved national brands.
There are numerous reasons why they find us to be the perfect partner in ensuring their sustained success, but don’t just take our word for it, here are six reasons to work with S4Labour, backed up by testimonials from six of the very best operators around.
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1 – Control Labour Spend
With rent increases, business rent hikes, and a rise in commodity prices all too familiar to today’s hospitality industry, keeping costs down in other areas can be critical to profitability. Labour is often the biggest cost to operators, but one that can be typically reduced without diminishing sales by identifying overstaffing and promoting better deployment. S4Labour makes this easy, leading to savings of 10% on annual labour spend for many of our clients.
“Since the introduction of S4Labour we have had total control over our labour, allowing us to make educated decisions on staffing. It is the best addition to our set-up that we have made this year.” – Patrick Gray, Ops Director, Kua Aina
2 – Drive Record Sales
S4Labour is not just a tool for reducing overstaffing. By using its intuitive labour demand graph to identify and rectify overstaffing, its users can drive increased sales by ensuring attentive service and maximised upselling opportunities. Record sales, coupled with tight controls on labour, result in maximum profitability.
“Your labour system is doing wonders at City Pub Co – well done!” – John Roberts, Founder, City Pub Company.
3 – Improve HR Processes
People are at the heart of any hospitality operation. S4Labour’s extensive HR module allows users to quickly and easily manage the human side of their business, making everything from managing holiday accrual to staff contracts run more efficiently than ever before.
“We couldn’t have won without S4Labour” – Chris Carsons, CEO, Deviate Bars, Winner of Best Turnaround at the Great British Pub Awards 2017
4 – A Fully Integrated System
We understand the numerous systems that contribute to running a successful hospitality business. We partner with EPoS firms, training providers, payroll bureaus, property management systems, and others to ensure our clients have a seamless, integrated solution.
“We use Zonal for our EPoS system, and the fact that S4Labour run a seamless integration with Zonal for importing sales figures has always been a real benefit. Our accountant has found S4Labour’s payroll export to be a hassle-free way of ensuring staff are paid correctly and on time.” – Clive Price, Managing Director, Barons Pub Co.
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5 – Designed by Operators for Operators
S4Labour was created by people with a wealth of hospitality industry experience across all industry sectors, with our management team having held senior positions at leading brands including Mitchells & Butlers, Whitbread, and ASK Italian.
“It is clear that the program has been designed by actual restaurateurs for true life operations, as opposed to theoretical programs that serve very little purpose in the real world. This is a very refreshing change.” – James Kerry, Owner, The Winery
6 – Quality Ongoing Relationship
Our clients regularly tell us how much they value the quality of the ongoing relationship they have with S4Labour’s people. With first-rate trainers, account managers dedicated to helping your business succeed, and a seven day support desk service, an experienced professional is always on hand to help you get the best results.
“The training provided was extremely efficient and help and support has been ongoing. S4Labour is a key tool in our labour management and in increasing our productivity and efficiency.” Darren Rumbelow, Operations Manager, Albion & East, Part of Imbiba Partnership
by Abby Henson | 26 Sep, 2017 | Blog, Press & News
Following the appointment of three new senior employees, S4Labour are delighted to welcome to the company the four members of our graduate programme for 2017.
The quartet, who took up their positions at our Oxfordshire head office earlier this month, are Ross Atkinson, Ben Nestel, Jess Stacpoole, and George Tuvey. They were selected from a large pool of applicants after displaying in interview the talents deemed necessary to become valuable members of a dynamic, growing business.
The programme, now in its second year, will see the graduates rotating through four three-month placements in our account management, sales and marketing, development, and finance teams, concluding in a likely promotion to a permanent role in the department in which they have displayed most aptitude and most enjoyed working.
The Square & Compass, near Harrogate, where our graduates gained key experience
George, fresh from completing an Economics degree at Lancaster University, previously spent a week on work experience with S4Labour. He was swiftly convinced that a longer term position was right for him, saying, “During my previous placement I really enjoyed the atmosphere in the office and was very impressed by the direction the company is taking.”
We firmly believe that being able to successfully help our clients solve their labour challenges is rooted in a thorough and detailed understanding of hospitality operations gained only through first-hand experience. This ethos has been quickly grasped by the graduates, who spent last week working at one of our Malvern Inns pubs, furthering their exposure to front of house, kitchen, and managerial roles within the industry. The experience was a valuable one, according Jess, a Biology graduate from York University, who called it “a fascinating insight into the reality of labour management in the industry.”
S4Labour CEO Alastair Scott is thrilled by the appointments, saying, “We see our future very much as a graduate-led business, with senior roles filled by those who have shown the attitude and attributes needed to quickly gain internal promotion. This will give them the expert knowledge of our operations necessary to provide the exceptional level of service our customers have come to expect.”
Our graduate recruitment for 2018 will begin later this year and will be advertised both externally and through our Careers page. For general enquiries about the programme or working with S4Labour, email info@cattonhospitality.
by Abby Henson | 11 Sep, 2017 | Blog, Press & News
The kids are back at school, there’s a chill to the air, and while we may still be blessed with the odd fine day, autumn is in the air. For most in hospitality, the end of the summer season brings renewed staffing challenges.
With sales likely to drop, tightly controlled labour spend once again becomes the order of the day. But all is not lost; for shrewd operators, this time of year brings opportunities to continue to generate healthy profits and ensure their business is structured from long-term success.
A reduction to footfall and takings is likely to mean there will be less demand for staff. However, rather than having to cut employees’ hours – a move that is never popular – for many, the chance to schedule fewer total hours of labour will arise organically.
Many young workers will return to studies
Earlier this year, our study into 23,000 people employed at over 100 organisations found that 89% of all hourly-paid workers in hospitality are under the age of 25. Many of these are students who work to fund their studies (and social lives), so the start of a new academic year will typically mean student-workers will want to work fewer hours or move on altogether. This provides a perfect opportunity for managers to save hours without aggrieving the staff who have likely worked hard all summer.
Improving your understanding of sales patterns within your business will also reduce the need to shorten hours without straying from a tight labour percentage. Darker nights encourage earlier dining, so be sure to amend shift start times to reflect this. If you can identify times in your trading week when you are typically understaffed, they provide a perfect chance to improve your labour percentage. Resist the temptation to just “get by” with a skeleton crew. The increased sales opportunities encouraged by attentive service will often justify having the extra body on shift many times over.
The changing weather brings changes to consumer tastes, which for many will mean a refined F&B offer as autumn takes hold. Salads and summer cocktails give way to heartier choices. This brings a chance to review the composition of your team. Do you have enough experienced labour in your kitchen to deliver new, more preparation-intensive dishes? Can your bar team cope with the increased demand for hot drinks? September is a great month for recruitment, as quality employees will be available following seasonal contracts, and any new staff you do take on will be well into their stride come the busy festive season.
Too early? Not a bit of it
And that festive season will soon be with us. It may be months away, but it isn’t too early to start planning for Christmas. The festive market is increasingly competitive, with the best operators exploring all advertising channels, not least social media, to promote their seasonal offers. Delegating tasks in this area to tech-savvy team members can be a very effective way to boost hours, while simultaneously ensuring Christmas is as profitable as it should be for all in our industry.
Finally, we must be realistic. At this time of year, there are going to be gloomy days and nights when customers just aren’t coming through the doors. In the spirit of silver linings, however, these can be seen as an opportunity to complete all the ancillary tasks that are side-lined in busier months. A thorough deep clean is always a good idea, while ensuring outside areas, including furniture, are protected from the harsh weather ahead is a valuable use of time. If you’re lucky enough to have an old-fashioned chimney, it’s probably time to arrange for it to be swept.
In today’s climate of rising costs for hospitality, it’s necessary for operators to make the most of the autumn, not just see it through. Following the guidance above will put you in the best position to make this time of year both profitable in itself and beneficial to the longer term health of your business.
by Abby Henson | 11 Sep, 2017 | Blog, Press & News
S4Labour are exhibiting at the Bar & Pub Show at Olympia, London, from October 2nd – 4th.
Come and find us next to the Bar & Pub Hub
The three-day event, part of the wider Hospitality Show 2017, will bring together professionals from all sectors of the industry.
We are exhibiting from stand WF51, situated right next to the Bar & Pub Hub at the heart of Olympia’s West Hall. It will, as these events always are, be a pleasure to come together with so many people who are as passionate about our industry as we are.
We will be delighted to speak to any operators about their labour challenges and how S4Labour can help, and would like to invite any existing customers in attendance to come and catch up. It’s always great to renew acquaintances with clients old and new and discuss how we can continue to support their businesses to drive sustained success.
Attendance is free for those who register in advance.
We look forward to seeing you there.
by Abby Henson | 8 Sep, 2017 | Blog, Press & News
The champagne corks were popping as two S4Labour customers saw off stiff competition to take wins at the Great British Pub Awards 2017.
Temple Brew House’s award has taken pride of place amongst their beers
City Pub Company’s Temple Brew House, in London, came out on top in the prestigious Beer Pub/Bar of the Year category, while Rumba, in Macclesfield, part of DV8 Bars, was crowned a worthy winner of the Turnaround Pub of the Year award.
City Pub Company signed up to S4Labour in January 2016, and use the system to control costs and drive sales across all their 33 sites. Co-founder John Roberts is a particular fan, saying “Your labour system is doing wonders at the City Pub Co – well done!”
DV8 became S4Labour clients the same month. The year and a half since has been an excellent period for the company – who operate cocktail lounges in Cheshire – culminating in success at last night’s awards show at the Hilton, Park Lane.
In total, no fewer than eight S4Labour customers were vying for trophies across five categories.
We are dedicated to helping the best operators from across all sectors of hospitality get even better. Catton Hospitality’s Director of Customer Services Andrew MacDonald hailed the success, saying, “It’s a pleasure too see our clients reap the rewards of the hard work and dedication, which coupled with S4Labour’s insight and support, is always a winning formula.”
Congratulations to the winners. We’re already looking forward to more in 2018!
