Well Dav, regarding your latest question, we currently use fancy POS software. We used a standard till for many years though. Each one has its strengths and weaknesses. I would use either. They both serve the same purpose.

So Dav, this week I got my Robur-e. What a grinder! But after some very bad luck. We have two Mazzer Super jollies. 17 years of grinding between them. Never broken. This year I replaced the switch on the oldest one. 1 month ago, the same switch went on the other grinder. Then just last week, the same thing happens to the backup grinder. The old timer switches dont like being forced on and off 200 times a day it appears for on demand grinding. I bought a robur e for next day delivery. Beautiful!

Secondly, yes I pay my staff monthly, and also, I have some leverage when it comes to pay so no one can screw you over. Pay day is the 5th but the pay period is the month before from the 23rd to the 22nd of the last month. So have about 2 weeks to solve problems and make sure people are not doing what they want. It also gives time to account for till shortages if this arises.

You must be busy this next few weeks, have you found a barista yet? And trained them too? You mentioned about your support staff pool being students. I dont think you can rely on them. Having new and incompentent staff is so much trouble. Look for people who specify in their cv that they are looking for a coffee oriented position or a manger oriented position. The people who are seeking other things than money or just a job or mindlessly handing out cvs.

Has HasBean given you any training?

Alex