4
Sam
Passive observation lasted a week until I couldn’t sit by any longer.Considering I’d already been approached by a few local media sites for comments on my return and my subsequent plans for the bar, it was time for me to stop watching and start making changes.
Most importantly, I’d updated the lagging point of sale system.With expedited delivery, the installation wasn’t an issue.The issue was training.
And other words starting with “T.”
It didn’t thrill me to pigeonhole Tiffany as a problem.I liked to believe that people were fundamentally good at their core.
But.
That fact never stopped them from being capable of some incredibly bad things.And Tiffany might be able to get under my skin, but I’d been doing this a hell of a lot longer.I had stamina.Patience.Time.
I could outlast her.
Hell, I’d spent the last nine years dealing with larger-than-life egos.And I had always loved a challenge.
As expected, not everyone had been pleased to come in early to learn the new system.Interestingly, Tiffany and Devon had picked it up quickly and had taken point on getting the others across the line.
Devon was a natural, which I could already see.Harry’s comments about his reliability hadn’t been exaggerated.As he sat across from me in the office, I was pleased with his confident, respectful air.
“I’ve poured over the last two months of sales, and I see an issue.”
“Okay,” Devon said slowly.
“It’s obvious that Tiffany’s one-offs sell well—not a surprise since that appears to be the main draw for customers.How long would you say it takes to make one on any given night?”
He thought for a moment, then offered a half-shrug in response.“For Tiff, a minute or two.For the rest of us, on average, probably five to ten minutes.”
That’s what I expected.And I appreciated that he included himself in that and didn’t call anyone out.He’d definitely make a good manager someday.
I nodded.“As of tonight, I’d like to reduce the more complicated cocktails.Take it down to a single special for the night, and we’ll rotate it each day.”
That much time per drink was fine if you were running a small bar with limited capacity.But my goal was to boost numbers and sales.And you couldn’t do that if you were slowing down serving for a single drink.
“Sure.If that’s what you think is best.”
“Also, explain the ice sculpting to me.”Yesterday, I’d watched in horror as Devon had spent time personally shaping a cube of ice into a smaller cube of ice.
Completely ridiculous.
“Ah.Yeah, that’s a real pain in the ass.It’s just for the look, really.”
Blinking slowly, I let my internal rage subside.Snobs and their aesthetics.It wasn’t Devon’s fault.I could pinpoint very quickly whose idea that must have been.
“In that case, let’s cut it.If we need to, I’ll buy new molds.But in the meantime, I don’t want the team wasting time on chipping ice.”
“Got it, boss.”Devon stood, then paused.“Have you told Tiff about this?”
“I have.”Saying that it hadn’t gone over well was the understatement of understatements.
A sharp laugh escaped him before he quickly turned it into a cough.“That explains some things.”
Watching Tiffany training the team was not a sight I was prepared for.She was both in her element and almost a completely different person.Gone was the competitive opponent, and in her stead was a patient, supportive guide.
I followed Devon out into the bar and stood to the side, observing Tiff.It made sense now why the staff looked up to her beyond just her accolades in the field.She was a natural leader, confident and assured.
