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TGI Friday's recently held its UK Bartender Championships, which was won by an employee from the Sheffield branch of the restaurant chain. So what are the benefits of companies holding such competitions and is it something that other firms could emulate? Bringing out the competitive nature in staff is a great way of motivating them and has positive implications for them, the company and the customers. Being named as the best TGI Friday's bartender in the UK takes a certain level of commitment and sees competitors pitted against a large number of people. The company is by no means a small one and therefore competition is strong and those wishing to take the title must practice their art. In doing this they are improving their skills to carry out the job, making them an important asset to the company and an impressive spectacle for the customers. Russ Ward, who won the title, is a master of mixing, shaking and flairing, proving that being a bartender can be about the show, not just getting the drinks. Being crowned the best bartender obviously comes with a certain amount of personal pride, which is then evident while doing the job, but also helps teams to bond. Anyone who gets anywhere near the final can feel a sense of pride, but as the stages go on a certain amount of regional rivalry starts to show. This is a great way to motivate staff, with the north wanting to do better than the south, and the east trying to outdo the west. The different branches of TGI Friday's got behind their representatives, making success something the whole restaurant can be proud of. Mr Ward said: "I can't believe I've just been crowned the TGI Friday's UK Best Bartender 2012 - it's all I have been thinking about for months. I'm so grateful for the support of my friends, family and the Friday's team members." Other industries are competitive in different ways, but competing to provide the best service can only be positive for all those involved. The winner of the UK heat then goes on to compete with the best bartenders across the world to achieve the overall title. Restaurants and bars can set up similar contests to great effect no matter what size an organisation they are. If there is just one restaurant then the staff can compete against each other, while even just two or three within the same locality can stage a local derby . For bigger chains of restaurants wanting to compete with each other, mystery dining visits can prove a useful way to identify which areas of service need improving . Having an outsider with knowledge of the industry looking at an establishment with fresh eyes can help to spot any necessary changes which may have gone unnoticed. Online feedback can also show where staff are performing well, which is just as important as negative comments as they may not be aware of how effective it is. It can also be used to train staff in the ways that have been successful for other members of the team.
