EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT AT MCDONALD’S

McDonald's success is built on the highest standards of quality, service and cleanliness delivered to customers in each of its restaurants. Well-trained crew and managers are the first step to achieving these standards. It is company policy to provide career opportunities that allow employees to develop their full potential. This includes a comprehensive training programme for crew and operations management and career progression that enable a 'first job' employee to progress through to a senior management position through merit-based promotions.

The first stage of training is at the Welcome Meetings. These set out the company's standards and expectations. This is followed by a structured development programme that provides training in all areas of business. Crew trainers work shoulder-to-shoulder with trainees while they learn the operations skills necessary for running each of the 11 workstations in each restaurant, from the front counter to the grill area. All employees learn to operate state-of-the-art foodservice equipment, gaining knowledge of McDonald's operational procedures. The majority of training is floor based, or "on-the-job" training because people learn more and are more likely to retain information if they are able to practice as they learn. All new employees have an initial training period. Here they are shown the basics and allowed to develop their skills to a level where they are competent in each area within the restaurant. The time scale for this depends on their status i.e. full or part-time. They will also attend classroom-based training sessions where they will complete workbooks for quality, service and cleanliness.

After the initial training period all employees receive ongoing training. This is done using "Observation Checklists" for the station they are working at. The rating will go towards their appraisal grading. The restaurants do promote crew members to hourly-paid management positions that carry accountability for areas within the restaurant, or responsibility for a shift. Training and development is given in the restaurant and in addition the participants will attend regular development days. On successful completion of a management entrance exam, employees will attend a training course held by the training department at the regional office before returning to the restaurant in a management position.

MANAGEMENT DEVELOPMENT

The McDonald's Management Development Curriculum takes new recruits from trainee manager to Restaurant Manager. This consists of on-the-job training and opens learning development modules, supported by courses and seminars at the Company's National and Regional Training Centre. The Management Development Curriculum is aimed at persons aged 21 or over, either graduates or individuals with some previous management experience. It offers a direct route into restaurant management, through an intensive structured training programme. The Management Development Curriculum is divided into four key programmes:

·         Shift Management - developing trainee managers in the skills and techniques required to become effective in all aspects of running a shift.

·         Systems Management - targeting second assistant and newly promoted first assistant managers. This programme covers all areas of McDonald's systems, increasing the manager's business knowledge. It also develops individual techniques.

·         Restaurant Leadership - introducing managers to the key skills needed to become effective restaurant leader e.g. team-building, communication, and decision-making.

·         Business Leadership - focusing restaurant/general managers on the need to develop a business strategy that encompasses both internal and external factors.

Most departments in the regional offices offer restaurant managers opportunities to be seconded to work in the regional office. This gives an experienced manager the opportunity to develop and learn new skills, to see a different side of the business and to experience how each department's strategies have a role in achieving the company's goals.

SOURCE: DNA