The coffee business has and always will be booming. There is something about the bean and the people that appears to be completely inseparable. However, that does not mean that everyone that ventures into this line of work will end up being successful. There are certain steps you have to follow if you’re going to be a successful barista and drive the sales of your business.
Other than being able to understand coffee and coffee drinks there are other steps that you will need to help you become a real barista. This is more so the case if you do not have any prior experience elsewhere.
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Grab yourself a worthy espresso machine
Even with all the experience and expertise in the world, being able to pull out a perfect brew without the help of a dedicated and highly sophisticated machine is very hard. It takes loads of time and man power. That is why your first step to being a good barista is investing in the right equipment. You need a place that offers plenty of varieties for your business and allows you to enjoy the accuracy, finesse and convenience that is brought by investing in such equipment. Espresso machines are expensive, so when you buy one you want to make sure you made the right choice, so reading product reviews is very important. One of the best places for you to get a great collection and in depth reviews of some of the best expresso machines is at http://www.siebland.com/
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Be customer friendly
When your customers come through the door, it is always nice to be courteous. Smile and greet them. If you can, also ask them how their day or morning has been depending on the time. Showing concern for your customers and being customer friendly is the one thing that keeps them coming back. This is one of the aspects of a real barista that should come somewhat naturally. The ability to connect with people is very critical to the survival of any business.
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When taking orders, listen to each step as-is
There is nothing more infuriating to a customer than having to repeat the order. The only other thing that could probably anger them even more is getting their order wrong. Unfortunately, with coffee, one wrong move and you have an entirely different coffee drink in your hands. To avoid this, make sure you listen to the orders as the customers dictate them. From the size of the cup to the number of espresso shots. Every little detail matters.
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Write it down
This is an important step. For the more experienced baristas, this step is not compulsory. But, if you’re new to the craft or your memory fails you, there is no shame in writing the orders down. The single biggest fail to being a real barista is getting wrong orders. If that means you write it down to avoid the same fate, then so be it.
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Be comfortable and calm
Being a barista is not easy. The pressure of delivering to expectation can easily get to you and mistakes can happen. If someone orders for a hot drink and you end up making a cold one, calmly apologize and make a fresh drink. Remaining calm will not only help you solve many customer disputes but also keep you from getting confused and keep your customers happy.
If you want to make money in the coffee making business, you need to be a barista and a good one at that. It does not matter if you’re working for your own coffee house or under employment, these steps to being a real barista will go a long way in helping you nurture yourself and become a force to reckon with.