ShiftForce Blog

If you're managing a shift-based team—whether in a restaurant, hotel, or manufacturing plant—then you already know the chaos that can come from a poorly executed shift change.

Running a shift-based business—whether it’s a restaurant, hotel, or manufacturing floor—means juggling schedules, people, and performance, often all at once. That’s where shift management comes in.

In the fast-paced world of shift work—whether you're managing a bustling kitchen, a busy hotel lobby, or a production floor—success doesn’t just come from showing up and ticking boxes. It comes from leadership. And great shift managers? They lead differently.

In shift-based industries like restaurants, hotels, and manufacturing, recognizing employees can feel like one more task on an already packed list, but here’s the truth: recognition doesn’t have to be complicated. A little appreciation can go a long way toward boosting morale, reducing turnover, and creating a workplace where people actually want to show up.

Shift-to-shift businesses heavily rely on effective and efficient communication. Without effective communication, shift changes, swaps, drops, updates, you name it, fall through the cracks and people are left wondering what was, and what could've been. Improving your team's shift-to-shift communication shouldn't be a daunting task. It should be a welcomed opportunity to find where you currently stand, how you can improve, and how you can run a more efficient shift-to-shift business.

Team management skills are crucial to run efficient and profitable shifts day to day. Sadly, many managers don’t see the value in these skills and neglect to practice them. Here’s one good reason to improve your team management skills - employee turnover. Poor management also leads to poor employee health, decreased productivity, reduced morale, and a damaged company reputation. Remember, employee’s don’t leave jobs, they leave poor managers. So, here’s 15 team management skills to focus on that will improve overall performance every shift! 

Great communication is the cornerstone of any successful business, especially for restaurants. With that many employees and shifts moving through the restaurant, communication often falls through the cracks. Yet shift-to-shift communication is an incredibly valuable key to success.