Minnesota Municipal Beverage Association Newsletter
(September 20, 2015 - September 26, 2015)
 Click Here
for the
As I See It...

We are in the process of hiring part time and seasonal/temporary employees (again).

It's one of the most difficult tasks we face.....the decisions made will impact our work, and even personal, lives on a daily basis.

Some things to consider:
 
1. Prepare Questions in Advance

We expect applicants will show up to the interview fully prepared.

The same holds true for us as interviewers.

Always make sure to review the position you're interviewing for and prepare a list of basic questions in advance.

It's tempting to skip this step, or rely on the same old questions, but draw your motivation from past hiring mistakes!

Take the time to do it right now.

Also, you want to make sure new hires will "fit in" to the culture of your store.

To help you assess this, add a few questions to your list that are outside the box.

Ask them to describe their ideal work environment, name one thing they would change about their previous position, or share one thing that makes them want to jump out of bed each morning.

Not sure what you should ask?

Contact any MMBA Director or Paul for some ideas.

2. Know What You Cannot Ask

While you're compiling your list of interview questions, keep in mind some common questions are actually inappropriate and cannot be asked.

In general, you should focus on asking questions that are directly related to the job, rather than fishing for personal information.

Not sure which ones you should avoid?

Contact MMBA or ask your City Administration for some guidelines.

3. Take Notes During the Interview

Do you tend to rely on your memory?

Don't be concerned that taking notes will detract from the interview or make you look unprofessional.

By taking detailed notes, you'll help yourself recall important information afterward.

These notes will come in handy as you evaluate applicants and identify the best one for the job.

4. Listen

Along with taking notes, another good practice is to let candidates do the talking.

To quote my father, "In any meaningful conversation, we should speak less than 30% of the time and listen for at least 70%!"

Don't be in a hurry to get to the next question.

By the time you hold an interview, a lot of time and effort has already been spent.

Focus on making it all about the person you're speaking with.

After you introduce yourself and review the position, you can begin asking the questions you prepared earlier.

Resist the urge to speak.

Give the candidate enough time to answer and provide sufficient information.

Ask follow-up questions to get clarification when needed (or to simply show interest and keep the dialog going). 

5. Involve Your Team

Once hired, your new employee will interact with other staff members more often than with you!

So why not include your team in your interview process?

Allow a couple of employees to sit in and get a feel for the candidates.

Have them take notes and share their impressions on each candidate.

Our employees are the basis of our profitability (and sanity)!

Spend the time necessary to focus on your hiring process!

Best Wishes for a Successful Holiday Season!

Candice Woods
Hutchinson
Did You Know?

In the following areas, the use of electronic
cigarettes is subject to smoking restrictions and
prohibitions:

* Licensed day care, including family home
daycare during hours of operation

* Health care facilities and clinics


* Buildings owned or operated by the state of Minnesota

* Buildings owned or operated by cities, counties, townships, and other political subdivisions

* Facilities owned by Minnesota State Colleges and Universities and the University of Minnesota

*Buildings and vehicles owned or operated by public school districts

* Facilities licensed by Minnesota Department of Human Services

* Facilities that are licensed by the Minnesota Department of Health and also subject to federal licensing requirements

The Minnesota Clean Indoor Air Act does not prohibit the use of electronic cigarettes outdoors, regardless of distance from
building openings such as doors and windows.

Click Here for More Information
Ellendale Position Opening
Jobs

The City of Ellendale is accepting applications for a highly motivated individual to manage and direct the Ellendale Municipal Liquor Store off-sale, on-sale and kitchen operations.

Preferred candidates will possess experience in customer service, three years management experience, experience in retail pricing methods and inventory control, bartender experience, experience in retail sales promotion marketing, proficiency with office equipment and computerized cashiering system.

A high value will be placed on the ability to perform effective promotions, marketing skills and food handling knowledge, abilities and certifications.
 
Minimum requirements for the position are: 2 year certificate from college or technical school or a minimum of 2 years bartending with supervisory experience; accounting or management related training; 2-4 years' experience in liquor store operations and/or food management; must be at least 21 and be eligible to be bonded; ability to obtain State Health Department Food Service License; and considerable knowledge of business management practices.
 
Wage depending on experience.

Full job description and application can be obtained by e-mailing 
[email protected] or by stopping in the city office or the Municipal Liquor Store.

Applications are due by October 4, 2015.

They can be mailed or dropped off at the city office at 106 6th Ave Ellendale MN

Looking to Avoid Bar Scene, Edina Ponders New Places for a Drink
Edina Logo

By
Paul Groessel , Sun Current

Edina could have new liquor license rules on the books by January.

The Edina City Council reviewed the first reading of liquor law ordinance changes during its Sept. 16 meeting.

Liquor law changes have been mulled over during the past year, prompted by changes to neighboring Minneapolis' liquor law and restaurant industries' preference for regulations that match menu changes and customer preferences.

"I would tell you we would characterize this as substantial change," Edina City Manager Scott Neal told the city council during the meeting.

Currently, 60 percent of an establishment's sales must be food items.

Bar-area seating, happy hour specials and glass sizes are all regulated as well. If the proposed changes are approved, the new ordinance could allow taprooms, brew pubs and cocktail rooms in certain areas of the city.

Other main changes would streamline the ordinance language - intended to make definitions clearer and consistent with state laws - and make day-to-day operations easier for business owners, according to city staff's summary.

If the first reading of the new ordinance is approved, several steps would remain before the changes are officially adopted, finalized and put into effect.

Those steps include further review and feedback by residents, business owners and others.

Before outlining the proposed ordinance changes, Economic Development Director Bill Neuendorf said there are staples to the ordinance that will remain.

Edina will continue to be a municipal liquor community, he said.

Click Here for Rest of the Article
Biggest Loser Update

Here is an update on our first Biggest loser week.
 
We have 12 people doing the % lost contest.

Our first weigh in was yesterday and the group
lost 18.8 pounds already.

Others can still join, by contacting me.

They would just be a little behind

I think this is going to be a great contest!

Nancy Raines
Longville
Email Nancy

Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance.

Future Dates to Remember
2015 MMBA Regional Meeetings

September 30
Worthington Event Center

October 14
Radisson Duluth

October 15
Parkers Prairie Event Ctr.

October 21
Radisson Roseville

October 22
Austin Holiday Inn

October 28
Sanford Center, Bemidji


2016 MMBA Annual Conference

April 17 - 19, 2016
Arrowwood Resort

Ask A Director

Gary Buysse
Rogers
763-428-0163

Cathy Pletta
Kasson
507-634-7618
  
Bill Ludwig
Paynesville
320-250-3325
  
Candice Woods
Hutchinson 
320-587-2762
  
John Jacobi
Isanti
763-444-5063

Michael Friesen
Hawley
218-483-4747

Lisa Kamrowski
Nevis 
218-652-3135

Steve Grausam
Edina
952-903-5732

Tom Agnes
Brooklyn Center
763-549-3710
Brenda Visnovec
Lakeville 
952-985-4901
 
Bridgitte Konrad
North Branch
651-674-8113

 Karissa Kurth
Buffalo Lake
320-833-2321
 
Paul Kaspszak
MMBA
763-572-0222
1-866-938-3925
Click Here For Newsletter Archives 
Minnesota SMART

The SMART campaign: Supporting Minnesota's Alcohol Regulations and Traditions, is a renewed public education and grassroots advocacy effort in support of Minnesota's current alcohol regulations and three-tier system.

 

We believe Minnesota's current alcohol regulations are smart, balanced, and supported by many citizens and our local small businesses.    

    

They work well for Minnesota!

 

The SMART campaign functions to help you engage in advocacy efforts with state legislators and others in support of Minnesota's current alcohol regulations, and to oppose issues-such as Sunday alcohol sales.

We want to make it easy and effective for you to engage.

 

Take action and send an email to your state legislators today through the new SMART campaign website.   

 

We have sample letters and legislator contact information put together that is ready to go.   

 

  Click Here for the Website
Join Our Mailing List

Beverage Alcohol Training

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 Contact Bob Leslie at:
 
320-766-3871
 


Contact Gary Buysse at:

763-428-0164

My 12 Pairs of Legs
Athlete, actor and activist Aimee Mullins talks about her prosthetic legs.

 She's got a dozen amazing pairs - and the superpowers they grant her: speed, beauty, an extra 6 inches of height ...

 Quite simply, she redefines what the body can be.

 Click Here 
Ole & Lars Go Ice Fishin...
Ole and Lars go ice fishin.

 Ole pulls out his new thermos and Lars says to him, "Ole, whatcha got der?".

Ole says, "Well Lars, dis here's a thermos.
 
It keeps hot tings hot, and it keeps cold tings cold."

After awhile, Lars gets curious and says, "Vell Ole, whatcha got in dat der thermos?"

Ole says, "Vell Lars, I got a popsicle, and two cups a coffee."
 
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