Author Archives for Kirk Smith

Food and Beverage Operations Update

Food & Beverage Operations
Please remember the following operations will begin on Monday, July 29th:

On Monday, July 29th, the Monticello Grill will serve hot dogs, bar sandwiches, and beverages from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m.  The Monticello Golf Shop will serve beverages and snacks prior to 11 a.m. and after 4 p.m.  Highlights of the remainder of the operational plans are listed below:

Operational Highlights Beginning July, 29th:

River Grille:

  • The River Grille is open Tuesday – Saturday from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. On Sunday, the River Grill opens at 8 a.m. and closes at 8 p.m.  The River Grille remains closed on Mondays.
  • These operations include a new Sunday a la carte breakfast/brunch menu served from 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. In response to member requests and operational performance, the a la carte menu replaces the Sunday buffet.
  • The River Grille offers new Wednesday evening dinner service and Sunday evening dinner service.

Monticello Grill:

  • The Monticello Grill is open Monday and Wednesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. The grill remains closed on Tuesdays.
  • Monticello is open for lunch service to primarily support golf operations.
  • On Mondays, the Monticello Grill offers bar service, with hot dogs, bar sandwiches, and beverages.  The lunch menu is served Wednesday – Sunday.
  • Prior to 11 a.m. and after 4 p.m., snacks and beverages are available for purchase in the golf shop.
  • All breakfast service is discontinued at Monticello, including Sundays. Should demand for Sunday breakfast service significantly exceed capacity at the River Grille, we will consider opening Monticello for breakfast in the future. In the meantime, the plan is to provide a similar breakfast menu at the River Grille on Sundays. We encourage your church groups to attend and support the new Sunday breakfast service, beginning on August 4 at the River Grille.

Spread Goodwill and the Good Word
Please support your community and the new food & beverage operations offered. Watch for future communications regarding special menus, programs and events.  Our desire is to make your River Grille the first place you consider when you are looking for a great place to eat. Tweaks to the menu are ongoing and new training programs are coming in August.  Menus offering lower price options and the always popular “comfort foods” are already being introduced. The food & beverage team is working hard to make the River Grille an operation we can all be proud to share. Please encourage your friends and neighbors to do the same.  If we all support the food & beverage operations, we can sustain and grow this service for our community. 

“No Problem” or “My Pleasure”

 

My Pleasure

The article below titled “No Problem” from the late and great Zig Ziglar is a strong reminder of how important word choice is when engaging with members, guests, visitors, and our own team members.  When you have an opportunity to deliver service (moment of truth), how do you respond? How are we perceived as a team and as a community by your response?  Is the tone positive or negative? Consider a visit to any Chick-Fil-A.  As a fast food restaurant, they could decide to remain average like the rest of the fast food industry.  Instead, you will hear phrases like “it will be my pleasure to serve you at the window” and when asking for that extra container of Polynesian sauce, the answer is always “my pleasure”.  The same consistent service can be found at any franchise you may visit. Serving others with an attitude of “my pleasure” is not just a training program for Chick-Fil-A…  It is hardwired into their culture.

What similar phrases do you like to use or have made a positive impression on you when visiting other businesses? How can we rise above average in our own opportunities to deliver service?  Please share ideas/comments below.

All the Best!

Kirk

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No Problem

By Zig Ziglar

Frequently when we ask someone who is in a service capacity or, for that matter, a family member or friend to do something, they will say, “No problem.”  The request might have been as simple as, “May I have some salsa for my omelet, please?” and the response will be, “No problem.”

Let’s think about that response.  It’s universally accepted that we associate the word “problem” with a problem, which most of us don’t consider positive.  However, the person is really saying they will be pleased to handle the request and they will have “no problem” in complying.  The question is, why not respond in a positive way like, “Certainly.  I’ll be glad to take care of that for you,” or, “Yes, indeed, and it will take only a minute.”  In fact, just this past Sunday Bill Flanagan had a commentary about this very phrase on CBS’s Sunday Morning program.  Click here to read his opinion.

The English language is truly fascinating and has many twists and turns, including oxymorons. For example, someone might say, “it’s the same difference,” or another person might talk about “jumbo shrimp.”  As we reflect on those word turns, it becomes obvious there is a certain amount of confusion in communicating what is really meant.  There is an old negative expression which says, “Those things which can be misunderstood will be misunderstood.”

When we explore words we realize we’re talking about communication, and when we talk about good leadership, we are really talking about the ability to clearly communicate a message.  Without the ability to communicate effectively, very few people understand what is expected of them.  However, the decisive leader, the one who gets things done, is an effective communicator.  Think about it.  Study effective communication skills, learn to apply them and you will have a “leg up” on the leadership ladder.  SEE YOU AT THE TOP!

– Zig Ziglar

Roof Repairs for Monticello Clubhouse Scheduled July 24 – July 26

Next week, July 24 through July 26, C.E. Bourne Roofing Company will be making repairs to the Monticello Clubhouse roof. The repairs will consist of removing 4” of stucco from the sides of the cupola and replacing the flashing on the cupola and around the roof waste stacks. This should be a 1 or 2 day job and should not interfere with business or the club schedule. This repair has been delayed due to the rainy conditions and the contractors schedule.

Thought of the Day – Communications

“Communication is not about saying what we think. It’s about ensuring others hear what we mean.”

In other words, communications is a two way street.  We must clarify our message and ensure the person or audience we are attempting to communicate with understands the message.  Communications that is not properly understood is just noise.

Thought for the Day:  How can we better communicate with people we come in contact with today?  Let’s be sure our message of being a great place to live and work comes through in all that we do and say.