Kopitiam is one of the defining culture in Singapore, barely 10 years ago, most of the Kopitiams in Singapore are owned and managed privately. Today, most of them are owned by one of the few major players and the role of the kopitiam assistant takes a brand new meaning. In the past, kopitiam assistants are expected to clear and clean the table while taking drinks order from customers who just sat down. They need to have eyes of an eagle to spot customers sitting down in the eatery and memory of an iPod to recall the orders of regulars. Today, there's a whole new meaning to a kopitiam assistant sales assistant recruited by the kopitiam food courts. I shall try to provide a guide on how to be a successful sales assistant in the modern food courts (self-service or not).

1.) Make lousy coffee - Canned drinks can yield at least 80 cents profit compared to coffee or tea that can garnered about 60 cents profit. Besides, if customer get stomachache can blame on the can drink mah. Canned drinks also easier to serve (no need to brew), and reduces burn related MCs.

2.) Finding substitute - When a customer order a drink that is not available, bring a similar substitute drink and claim that the drinks are the same. This will increase drink sales and even if the customer stops patronising us due to poor service, chances are they will go to another food court owned by us too.

3.) Team work - Work as a team and stick as team. No matter what happen, don't walk around taking orders. By standing together at the counter makes it easier for customer to spot you and walk to the counter to place orders instead. This includes taking meals at the same time during peak hours.

4.) Quality of work - Do not attempt to take multiple orders at the same time. Take an order from a table and return with their drinks before taking another. This reduces mistakes and also enhances your claim for (2) above.

These are some of the qualities that made the Singapore service unique and wish you all the best in your new job as a food court sales assistant.

Tagged:singapore kopitiam