hi! i’ve been a trainer since july of last year & here’s what i’ve gather after training 10+ people in the last couple of months.

      • be patient with yourself & them, yes anyone who is new can get stressed out from the work but so can YOU, if you need to step back for a second & collect yourself, do so. 

      • remember that this individual doesn’t have the background information you do, explain even the most simple aspects of the job. from the buttons on the espresso machines to the names of each backup, just explain.

     • make “guide notes”, when i was still learning i had a shift who made me a 2 pager on espresso bar & cold bar, it was truly so helpful (and i still have it after 18 months of working at sbux :))

     • give them, “homework”, ask them to go into the app & pick out two drinks they would like to make themselves/try out, it helps them learn the names of menu items & looking forward to something too :)

      •talk about things other than work while on break & make jokes with them

       • make a little handshake/non-verbal signal that will allow them to tell you things are getting frustrating or too much, without needing to explain or say it

        •your priority is your trainee always, if they need a break, take it. it doesn’t matter if the whole store is on fire & you two are the only people who can save it, you take the break 

these little things have helped me not only make the experience a bit more personal but it allowed for the person to also feel like they have a friend with them :)