Before employing people in your bakery business in Nigeria, there are 10 basic factors to consider.
Nigerians love baked goods and they consume them a lot. From bread to cakes, and pastries, they enjoy these baked products. This means that your bakery business will always have a market it serves.
Your delectable pastries alone will not make your bakery business successful. You need quality staff. There are things you should look out for when employing staff for your bakery business especially if you operate in Nigeria.
Your staff are the gears that keep your business machine running smoothly. You should be intentional about the staff you hire, they contribute so much to the success or failure of your business.
From bakers who bring your unique recipes to life, decorators who add creativity, and marketers who spread the message of your business, to cleaners who maintain an inviting environment, every role is important.
Running a bakery business isn’t only about baking a cake and selling it. There are important things you need to put in place.
Your staff is the heart and soul of your business, carefully select them. Even the most skilled baker will not function optimally without a reliable team.
It is one thing to bake, it is another to get your beautiful creation to your customers. In this article, we will show you 10 things to look out for when employing staff for your bakery business in Nigeria.
What Should You Look Out for When Employing Staff for Your Bakery Business in Nigeria?
Your bakery business will be successful with the right staff in place. How do you select these ‘right’ staff? That is the question we will answer here. Here’s a list of things you should consider when hiring staff for your bakery business;
1. Skills and Experience
Skills and experience are very important factors. Imagine hiring a baker who has not baked before, except you are going to train the person first, you’ll have funny loaves coming out of your oven.
Hire staff who know their onions and are skilled enough to create beautiful products in your bakery.
When looking for staff with skill and experience, look out for the following:
Baking Expertise
This might seem obvious, but assess the level of baking experience needed. Determine the kind of bakers you need. Do you need bakers who can create classic loaves or unique pastries?
Look for relevant experience on resumes and references who can vouch for their abilities. Beyond that, taste their baking expertise. You must approve of the quality of their products before getting them to your customers.
Also Read: 15 Food Business Ideas You Can Start in Nigeria
Customer Service
If you want to make your bakery a friendly business environment, you should consider customer service skills. A friendly and helpful demeanor is essential for anyone interacting with customers. During interviews, assess their communication skills and ability to answer questions. Check also their overall pleasantness.
You can lose customers as quickly as you gain them by the way your customer service personnel handle their issues.
Attention to Detail
Employ staff who pay attention to details. Baking is a precise art. The staff you’ll hire should demonstrate keen eyes for detail. They should have the ability to follow recipes meticulously and ensure that their presentation is top-notch.
You’d have to let them try out the task they’ll be assigned to and assess how they fare.
Teamwork
Running a bakery is a collaborative effort. Your staff should be able to work as a team, from the production unit to the distribution unit. Assess how comfortable candidates work with others, especially in a fast-paced environment.
2. Knowledge of Local Tastes and Preferences
Nigerians have a variety of local tastes and preferences, and since your market is here, you should hire staff who understand these preferences.
You can’t afford to make pastries and bread that the market will not accept. Your staff should demonstrate good knowledge of local tastes and preferences. Look for candidates familiar with popular Nigerian pastries and breads. This can help with menu development and customer recommendations.
You are at liberty to create your signature products, but while at it, ensure to offer local favourites. This should depend on the environment your bakery is located.
3. Interest in Training and Development
During the interview section, look out for candidates who are open to training. Give priority to candidates who consider developing and improving their skills important.
Be willing to Invest in your staff’s development. It fosters loyalty and ensures they can excel in their roles.
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4. Communication Skills
Your staff should have the ability to communicate effectively. Effective communication is key for teamwork and customer service.
You can assess their ability to communicate during interviews by engaging them in role-plays. Your bakery business needs effective communication to thriver Look for clear and concise communication.
5. Problem-Solving Skills
Things can go wrong in a bakery. Look for candidates who can think on their feet and solve problems efficiently. Problem-solving is a critical skill that your staff should possess.
Assess how calm they can be in the face of problems. You can do this by painting scenarios and asking for their responses.
6. Positive Attitude
A positive attitude sets the tone for a productive day at work. A positive and enthusiastic attitude can create a more enjoyable work environment for everyone.
Hire staff who bring positive energy to the work environment. This energy is transferable and can attract the right customers to your business.
7. Professionalism
Look for candidates who present themselves professionally and understand the importance of maintaining a positive image for your bakery.
Unless you want to run a lowly bakery, you need image promoters. Your staff should embody what you represent
8. Hygiene and Food Safety
Maintaining a clean and hygienic environment is paramount in the food industry. Your staff must understand this. What you are producing are consumables, so hygiene is pertinent.
Look for candidates who demonstrate a strong understanding of food safety practices. Hire staff that maintains good hygiene and gives food security the utmost priority
9. Motivation and Work Ethic
Find out what drives the desire of the staff you want to hire to work for you. Your staff should be motivated to work. A dedicated team is essential for any business.
During interviews, assess the candidate’s passion for baking and their desire to learn. Look for a strong work ethic. Consider punctuality, initiative, and a willingness to go the extra mile are valuable qualities.
Also Read: Where to Buy the Best Shawarma in Aba
10. Tech Savviness
The world has gone the tech way and you’ll be left behind if you do not key in. Test the tech knowledge of the candidates you wish to hire. Technology can streamline processes and improve efficiency in your bakery.
If they don’t have tech skills, you can find out their inclination towards or away from tech. Do not hire people who do not want to improve with changing times
By following the points highlighted in this article, you should be well on your way to having a thriving bakery business. You should be able to penetrate and dominate the market given that you have the best team working for you.
