The 10th and final HR Happy Hour (HHH) of 2024 brought together Singapore’s HR and operational leaders for an insightful and collaborative evening at Jyu Lae. Organized by StaffAny, this event was the culmination of a year-long journey of exploring Singapore HR trends, particularly in F&B hiring, restaurant practices, and strategies for attracting and retaining talent.
Featuring a fireside chat with Janson, CEO of StaffAny, and Lava, HR leader for Vitis, attendees delved into the challenges of managing teams in both fine dining and fast food settings. The discussion was complemented by interactive polls that provided unique insights into the priorities and concerns of the HR community.
Insights from the Fireside Chat: Fine Dining Meets Fast Food
Lava shared practical perspectives on F&B hiring strategies. “In fine dining, we focus on highly skilled individuals and programs to grow their capabilities,” she explained. Fast food, on the other hand, emphasizes speed and efficiency.
The importance of attracting talent through referrals and incentives was a recurring theme. Many fine dining hires come from referrals, supported by bonuses and a positive work environment. Innovative compensation structures such as sharing service charges among staff boost morale and show that success is shared.
Retention strategies also include investing in training, such as WSQ certifications and quarterly sessions with external trainers. Lava highlighted how these efforts align with broader Singapore HR trends, focusing on supporting leadership development and reducing burnout.
Key Takeaways from crowd sourced poll
During the event, an interactive poll was conducted to provide additional insights into restaurant practices and broader HR challenges:
- Hiring for Fine Dining Experience:
- 74% of attendees reported treating all candidates equally during the hiring process, regardless of prior fine dining experience. This suggests a focus on adaptability and potential over niche experience.
- Training Standards:
- The top-ranked method for ensuring service standards was having a solid learning and development (LnD) process, followed by strong management and probation systems.
- Job Trials as a Recruitment Tool:
- 74% of attendees supported the idea of using temporary staffing agencies or job trials to assess candidates before hiring permanently.
- Performance Reviews:
- Performance reviews were described as “tedious” by many attendees, with common pain points including the time-consuming nature of collecting feedback (53%) and ensuring objective evaluations (41%). However, 68% of respondents conduct reviews regularly, with digital tools like EngageAny and Google Forms aiding the process.
- Compensation and Benefits:
- 38% of attendees emphasized long-term incentives like bonuses tied to guest feedback as part of their strategy to increase satisfaction. Short-term rewards such as vouchers were also popular, with 32% using them to motivate staff.
A Year in Review: Building a Collaborative HR Community
2024 has been a milestone year for StaffAny’s community events, like the HR Happy Hour series, engaging attendees across 14 events in 3 countries. These gatherings have become a trusted platform for HR leaders and business owners to exchange insights on F&B hiring, explore modern operational practices, and share strategies for attracting and retaining talent in a competitive market.
Reflecting on the series, Janson remarked, “The Leaders Lounge and HR Happy Hour communities have grown into a vibrant space for learning and collaboration. This final event was the perfect way to close 2024 on a high note.”
Looking Ahead to 2025
As 2024 concludes, StaffAny is already planning for an even more impactful 2025, with events designed to address emerging challenges and trends in Singapore HR.
Stay tuned for announcements about upcoming sessions that will continue to spotlight the latest insights in F&B hiring, restaurant practices, and strategies for building resilient teams.
Thank you to everyone who made 2024 such an inspiring year. Here’s to more growth and success in 2025!
