Hi BTW - why do you ask? A bit of background information might provide a more considered response - but for me an ideal work environment entails one which is based on mutual respect for the contribution of individual team members combined with a broad cross-section of experience - so that staff and management alike are always learning from one another Also I think that you work environment should be one the fosters creativity and recognises the contribution of each of its members, combined with clearly stated goals and outcomes. A good work environment should also hum like a well oiled machine, should be fun to work in, and well facilitated with clear leadership and a clear leadership structure The needs of staff and their ideas in general should be listened to and openly discussed, and where possible implemented Likewise customers should be encouraged to give feedback and should be responded to with more than mere platitudes I walked into a coffee orientated joint on Brunswick Street yesterday and asked if it would be ok to put my bag down while I looked around (as it was heavy and also being an open bag was presumably easy to shoplift into) - and was told; "No, you can just carry it around." Seriously, no reason or explanation given, and no further customer service forthcoming! On top of which the coffee grinder was in operation for the whole four or five minutes that I was there, even though only one coffee was being prepared for one customer - calling into question what was going to happen to all the stale grind that was being produced - presumably enough for ten or more coffees? And it made me wonder: Is this what we aspire to as an industry or is this the pinnacle of customer experience that we should not only condone but accept as the norm? Seriously! We as an industry have a collective responsibility not only to service our customers but also to strive to be the best that we can be, and to raise and to exceed the expectations of the customer - and more that; to actively anticipate the needs of the customer before they even know that these needs exist! Combine that with innovation and cutting edge technology (and this doesn't have to cost the earth) - I think that the ideal work environment should be exceptionally well informed through personal endeavor, and that this information should be passed on firstly to all the staf members, and then to the customers, through product knowledge and product comparison The ability to adapt to your environment introducing swift and compelling change for compelling reasons is also essential as is the need for strenuous recruitment and a clear set of guidelines about what it is you are attempting to collectively create A need to recognise your target market combined with proven business principles and accepted industry standard protocol combined with a commitment to sourcing the best possible ingredients regardless of price is also paramount in my opinion, as is not losing sight of the collective vision that you and your team members are creating together... But that's just my opinion, others may differ... Peace Pat
