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Shaker Success

Title: Successful Beverage Management
Writer: Robert Plotkin with Steve Goumas
Publisher: BarMedia

Rating: Expert

An exceptional how-to book by the Robin Hood of beverage managers, Robert Plotkin takes the strategies of the richly profitable establishments and puts it into plain English so all bars can succeed. And he makes it so simple too.

Successful Beverage Management -- Proven Strategies for the On-Premise Operator ($39.95, BarMedia), is split into twenty-four bite sized capsules with well developed, often common sensical strategies. Most are punctuated with bullet points and charts so you can't possibly miss the point. Mr. Plotkin wastes no words on promoting himself or his expertise, instead the reader enjoys more than twenty years of experience without the ego.

The book also includes information on maintaining health code standards behind the bar, establishing pouring procedures, analyzing beverage operation, implementing safeguards to protect inventory, conducting market research, the mathematics of profit, standards on bar design for efficient movement and how to select well liquor.

Take a look at the chapters on Hiring Exceptional Employees and Maintaining A Positive Work Environment. The information presented in these sections is as useful for management as staff. Reasonable Expectations of your Bartending Staff outlines 10 simple groundrules for success in any sales environment, while Recruiting Qualified Applicants provides insights on getting your foot in the door or a bevy of energetic new bartenders at your feet.

BarMedia has created a web site, www.barprofits.com, that is based on this book, including sample chapters, free forms and tips to help simplify beverage management. This book is available online through www.barmedia.com.