ShiftForce Blog

Shift notes might not be glamorous, but they’re one of the most powerful tools for keeping your operation running smoothly. A good set of notes connects one shift to the next, prevents miscommunication, and gives your team a reliable record of what really happened. 

Every shift carries vital information—what went right, what went wrong, what needs follow-up. For restaurant managers, shift notes are the linchpin in connecting one shift to the next. Done right, they keep your operation smooth, your team aligned, and your service consistent.

In shift-based workplaces—especially restaurants, hotels, and other high-pressure service environments—drama isn’t just a distraction. It’s a drain. It eats away at productivity, morale, and trust. It creates tension between shifts, drives good employees out the door, and makes every manager’s life harder than it needs to be.

If you’ve ever walked into a shift where nobody knew what happened the night before—you’re not alone.

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.

Running a hotel is a little like conducting an orchestra—every section has to come in on cue, or the whole thing falls apart. One missed note, one misread shift schedule, and suddenly you've got a front desk scrambling, housekeeping short-staffed, or a restaurant that’s backed up when guests just want to relax.

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.

You're probably no stranger to the hiring process if you're a business owner or manager. That being said, as you look to fill positions that you may have created in order to follow post COVID-19 guidelines, or replace employees that found other work during the shutdown, you'll need a new hiring strategy. It's time to create your "new normal."

Let’s face it, the entire economy has been impacted by COVID-19. Many businesses have been or still are unable to function and others are operating at limited capacity. So it’s extremely easy to feel disheveled, disorganized, and unproductive. Luckily, there are a few things you can be doing to improve your business right now! This blog will outline a few different ideas to start implementing asap.

What is an on the job training program and why do you need it? Let’s start with the universal fact that high employee turnover negatively impacts a business. How do you reduce employee turnover? One way is to have an on the job training program set up. Investing the time and money to create an on the job training program means you’re investing in your employees. You know, the people who make your business happen! It doesn’t matter how big or small your business is, creating and implementing an on the job training program will benefit you.