QR Codes. You've seen them... those odd-looking, square symbols with pixelated, black-and-white designs. They are not a new technology but with the recent proliferation of smartphones and free …

(A Guide for Global Leadership) My first job was at my dad's toy store when I was 7 years old. We sold lots of other things as well, but all I remember was the toys. At 7 working in a toy store was a …

Have you taken a look at the 2012 Restaurant Industry Forecast? If you don't have a copy, you'll want to get one. If you have a copy and haven't read it, you'll want to make a point to take the time …

The training of our employees in detecting counterfeit currency, or the device we use to authenticate currency, just paid off. A counterfeit bill is detected! So, what do we do now? Do we confront …

33,528 (no relationship to mountain elevation) is the number of times "innovation" was mentioned in quarterly and annual business reports last year alone according to a Wall Street Journal (WSJ …

While we're still waiting for the FDA to hand down the final version of menu labeling regs, we can take a look at what's on restaurant menus right now. That's exactly what two Rand Corp. researchers …

If you're tossing and turning at night thinking about healthcare reform, increasing minimum wage or whether or not you should start a Facebook page for your business, I have bad news. These trends …

Part 1 of "Is it real or counterfeit?" gave practical tips in teaching cashiers how to detect counterfeit currency. Anti-counterfeit technology has been embedded in U.S. currency. Tips on detecting …

Employees using their own devices (smart phones, tablets, PCs) actively use the technology they're most comfortable with, which has a positive impact on productivity. Some organizations are creating …

I've worked many years for tips. I began my restaurant career when I was 14 (don't tell the Labor department). I've been a busboy, a waiter, a bartender, and manager. My brothers were chefs, my …

Phone systems are the lifeline of most pizzerias. For those who conduct most or all of their business via take out and delivery, the phone is the direct and sometimes only connection with customers …

I had an absolute blast, as always, at the National Restaurant Association Show in Chicago last week. I reconnected with old friends, met some awesome new people, and had a great time talking about …

With the impending menu labeling laws expected to go into effect sometime this year, restaurants are scrambling to meet the criteria, and more than 200,000 restaurants will have to comply by …

"Good morning! Thanks for calling XYZ Company; how may I help you?" "Hi. This is Susan down at the bank." "Oh, Hi Susan; How are you?" "I'm fine thank you, but I'm afraid I have some bad news for you …

We all know that our friends and families influence us if they give us a recommendation…or a 'stay away!' …for a vendor or business. And those recommendations have proliferated in the …

I know this sounds like the old joke about a light bulb or a chicken crossing the road, but the way some restaurants operate, the joke is on them. There are many restaurants that have their servers …

Your bags are packed and you're ready to head to the 2012 National Restaurant Association Show in Chicago May 5-8. You've probably made a list of those vendors you'd like to see, or if you're a …

* Get caught up, read Part I first. Toys The Hype: Toys in kid's meals entice children to eat fast food. Research: According to the CDC, in 2009-2010, the prevalence of obesity in children and …

From the moment a customer dials your number they should be engaged. When your phone line is busy, or your staff too busy to do more than simply take orders, you can and will miss out on …

How do you recognize "true" innovation, and who practices it? I recently noted that a leading hamburger chain received an industry "innovation award" for its retooled hamburger sandwich. This is a …