82. The Value of Doing a Climate Check on Your Coffee Business

The Coffee Experts Club Podcast

SUMMARY:

In this lively episode, Ben and Aaron share their insights on keeping a coffee business vibrant through regular "climate checks." The duo dives into the heart of any successful operation: the people. Ben and Aaron stress that a business isn’t just about profit margins or marketing campaigns—it’s built on relationships with employees, managers, vendors, and partners, all of whom need consistent attention to keep things running smoothly. You will also learn about quarterly check-ins as a way to maintain these critical relationships, sharing lessons learned from the tumultuous summer of 2020 when neglecting team communication led to frustration and unrest among their staff. They introduce the EOS 5-5-5 system, a straightforward framework for evaluating alignment with the company’s mission, clarifying roles and responsibilities, and tracking progress on key projects. By scheduling these check-ins, documenting discussions, and addressing issues early, business owners can prevent small problems from snowballing into major crises. Ben and Aaron also touch on the value of third-party perspectives, like those from their CoLab team, to navigate tough decisions and maintain healthy partnerships. For listeners ready to strengthen their own businesses, the hosts offer a free tool and video on conducting effective quarterly check-ins—just drop "quarterly check" on their socials to access these resources and start building a more connected, resilient team. Points Discussed:

• People-Centric Approach: Success in business relies on nurturing relationships with employees, managers, vendors, and partners, not just focusing on financials or operations.
• Quarterly Check-Ins: Regular evaluations, using tools like the EOS 5-5-5 system, help align teams, clarify roles, and address issues early to prevent escalation.
• Lessons from 2020: The hosts reflect on past mistakes during the pandemic, where a lack of communication led to team discontent, emphasizing the need for consistent check-ins.
• External Support: Seeking third-party perspectives can help navigate challenges and maintain healthy business relationships.

* Actionable Resource: Listeners can access a free tool and video for quarterly check-ins by messaging "quarterly check" on the podcast’s social channels.

Minute by Minute:

0:00 Introduction

3:31 Taking a climate check on your business

7:57 A lesson from not checking in with your baristas

12:55 The consistent maintenance and check ins of relationships

15:46 Key relational tips to remember