Catching the Clcik Happy Employees....Enterprise Computing

As your restaurant expands, there is a great possibility that you may choose to go corporate and soon, you could be considered a SMB or a service enterprise. A smb is a small and medium sized business that is smaller in size than an enterprise and typically does not have international presence. Nevertheless, these companies may use the same technologies that enterprises use, but on a smaller scale. In this day and age, I would highly recommend using the same systems as an enterprise since it could greatly behoove you! For today's scenario, we are going to assume that your restaurant really took off, you are now the executive manager of a corporate company...

When a company in the restaurant industry goes corporate, you are guaranteed to see multiple functional units develop. With head quarters all over the United States, you desire to have each unit functioning under the same set of standards and procedures. IST 195 taught you that maintaining a solid and secure network is imperative to making this happen! What many employees don't realize though is that every move they made while signed onto this network may be monitored. This is a major asset for you as the executive management to know and understand how this system works.

Employers are able to monitor an employees productivity, liability and even security using a surveillance system. You can track the sites that your employees are visiting on work computers, scan through their emails to make sure that pertinent information is not being leaked, monitor phone calls, and even watch for illegal online activities that could negatively represent your company. It is hard to believe that your company is at this risk, but it is also nieve to believe that none of your employees will try and take advantage of their scheduled work hours on a computer. With labor costs being the most costly expenditure for a restaurant, do not take the risk of lazy employees surfing the web.

The Power behind PowerPoints

Knowing how to use basic software programs is no longer looked at as a skill when in the interview process. Rather a mandatory necessity in order to succeed and make yourself a valid employee. Some of the greatest programs to become comfortable with are powerpoint, project management software, and application software.
Powerpoint is a presentation software that allows users to create aids to presentations; to communicate ideas, and messages. But now, powerpoint can do much more than that. Users have the capability to add pictures, graphs, clipart, and even sound to your presentation as well. These aspects enhance your presentation, keep the audiences focus on you and the topic, and can add much flare to your weekly report meetings. When creating your presentation, you may even set it to a timer so that the program will run itself and change slides to keep up with you. Yes, you will have to practice your presentation multiple times to ensure that you have the correct timing, but the tool is more than worth it as it can relieve nerves and have one less thing to worry about when you're up in front of a large group.
Project Management software is definitely applicable to all of the event planners in our industry as well. It allows its users to plan, track, schedule, and even cost a project that they are working on. This program has the ability to keep a record of reports, notes, graphs and charts, and even keep you on track with a calendar. Even restaurants can use this program fir catering events and staffing. It is a guaranteed way to stay organized and have all of the details of your project in writing. Although I have never used this program, I would highly recommend trying it out for yourself since it has such a great amount of potential, and a place in our hospitality home.
Different types of application software can be used for communication for your business as well. VoIP has become one of the greatest things the web can offer business professionals as they can now speak to other users using the Internet. This significantly cuts down on travel expenses for meetings, and conventions. Instead of having to catch the next flight to NYC to meet with the executive boss, you can simply log onto your computer. Businesses are relying upon this application software daily, and its saving them thousands of dollars. Plus, small businesses should be utilizing this capability as well. It can help you to network with others in the industry and to get your name out there in your target market.
The internet and software programs are not something to fear, rather a tool that will help you expand your business and promote efficiency if it is used correctly. Best of luck!