By Jerome Mortel, COO of Sumo Sushi & Bento

In the ever-evolving landscape of the hospitality industry, maintaining high service standards is paramount to ensuring customer satisfaction and business success. At Sumo Sushi & Bento, we have long recognized that our greatest asset is our team. The role of continuous staff training, and development cannot be overstated when it comes to delivering exceptional service and creating memorable dining experiences for our guests.

Staff training serves as the foundation of excellence in any hospitality business. It equips employees with the necessary skills, knowledge, and confidence to perform their roles effectively. From understanding the menu and mastering culinary techniques to perfecting the art of customer service, comprehensive training programs ensure that every team member is well-prepared to meet the high standards set by the organization.

At Sumo Sushi & Bento, our training programs are designed to be thorough and ongoing. New hires undergo a rigorous onboarding process that covers everything from food safety protocols to customer interaction techniques. However, training does not stop once the initial onboarding is complete. We believe in the importance of continuous learning and development to keep our team motivated, engaged, and up to date with industry trends.

Adapting to Industry Changes

The hospitality industry is dynamic, with trends and customer preferences constantly evolving. Continuous staff training enables our team to adapt to these changes swiftly and effectively. Whether it’s incorporating new culinary trends into our menu or adopting the latest technology on our website or app to enhance customer experience, our training programs ensure that our staff is always at the forefront of innovation.

For instance, the recent surge in demand for contactless dining and digital payment options has necessitated a shift in how we operate. Through targeted training sessions, our staff has become proficient in using these new tools, ensuring that we continue to provide seamless and efficient service to our guests.

Enhancing Customer Experience

Customer experience is at the heart of the hospitality industry. Well-trained staff are better equipped to anticipate and meet the needs of our guests, leading to higher levels of customer satisfaction. Training programs that focus on soft skills, such as communication, empathy, and problem-solving, empower our team to create positive and memorable interactions with our customers.

Building a Strong Team Culture

Continuous training and development also play a crucial role in building a strong team culture. When employees feel valued and supported in their professional growth, they are more likely to be engaged and committed to their roles. This sense of belonging and loyalty translates into better teamwork and collaboration, which are essential for maintaining high service standards.

We believe in recognizing and rewarding our team’s achievements. Regular feedback sessions, performance reviews, and opportunities for career advancement are integral parts of our training programs. By investing in our staff’s growth and development, we create a positive work environment where excellence is the norm.

Investing in our Manpower

The role of staff training in maintaining high service standards cannot be underestimated. We are committed to providing continuous learning and development opportunities for our team. This commitment not only ensures that we deliver exceptional service to our guests but also drives our success in the competitive hospitality industry while fostering a culture of excellence that sets us apart.

By Peter Bahorecz, Partner And Chief, Networking Officer, SunMoney

In today’s rapidly evolving financial world, where innovation is constantly pushing the boundaries, the intersection of renewable energy and blockchain technology has produced something truly remarkable: renewable energy-backed tokens. These tokens are not simply another addition to the list of digital tokens; they represent a manner for reconciling sustainability with contemporary finance, giving you an elegant and also stable asset class to invest in — no matter if you’re a seasoned investor or possibly new-to-investing. However, like any financial instrument that has withstood the test of time, their success depends on three key elements: security, transparency, and trust.

Security: The Unshakable Pillar of Renewable Energy-Backed Tokens

Security isn’t just a feature—it’s the bedrock of any credible digital asset. SDBN tokens are seamlessly blending avant-garde digitized assets and the power of the sun. The SDBN token is designed to be a bridge between traditional investments and the dynamic world of crypto, offering a level of built-in security that sets it apart from other digital assets. These tokens, specifically, backed by SunMoney Sonal Group’s solar power plants are not some abstract investment similar to shares; their value is supported by real-life, sustainable, and profitable on-power renewable energy generation. The smart contracts governing SDBN tokens are thoroughly audited to maintain the highest standards of security and reliability. In the complex regulatory environment of Dubai, where token issuance is governed by the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA), compliance partner, VAF Compliance plays a crucial role by guiding UAE-based entities, like SDBN, through the intricacies of token issuance and ensuring compliance with VARA regulations. By providing expert assistance in the preparation and refinement of whitepapers, they act as a strategic partner, managing the regulatory relationship, and helping in navigating the compliance landscape with confidence, ensuring innovative financial products like the SDBN tokens meet all necessary legal standards. Continuous monitoring of VARA and MICA regulation changes further ensures that SDBN tokens remain compliant with the latest industry standards, providing peace of mind for all investors.

At the heart of this security is a rigorous Know Your Customer (KYC) process, ensuring that tokens do not end up in the wrong hands. Customers undergo a comprehensive KYC, which includes PEP and blacklist checks, eliminating the risks of supporting illicit activities such as terrorism, human trafficking, and money laundering. Moreover, security elements are embedded in the smart contracts to protect investors—particularly those new to the crypto space—from losing their tokens to fraud or technical mishaps. And if an investor loses access to their tokens, SDBN has the capability to replace the lost tokens and burn the originals, ensuring the investor’s assets remain secure.

Transparency: The Lifeblood of Trust in Asset-Backed Green Cryptocurrency Tokens
For asset-backed renewable energy tokens, transparency is crucial to building and sustaining investor trust. Without it, even the most innovative financial products can struggle to gain traction. These asset-backed tokens are built off the blockchain technology, providing a level of standard transparency which conventional financial systems can never do. All transactions are recorded on a public ledger, and it is open to view or validate by everyone. Moreover, blockchain technology makes it even more secure by providing a decentralized, immutable ledger that makes fraud nearly impossible and ownership crystal clear. It does not just add a feature, but opens an interesting possibility for investors to look at their money and investments. By combining tangible assets with the transparency and security of blockchain, SDBN tokens stand out as a smart, secure choice in the evolving digital finance landscape.
Transparency in renewable energy-backed tokens extends beyond blockchain, by providing regular updates and performance reports filled with deep drills into investments. Instead of investing and crossing their fingers behind the scenes, investors in this case are given details on the solar power plants that back their investments, showing performance metrics from energy production all down to financial returns. SunMoney Solar Group has implemented global compliance measures, including quarterly health checks by an external compliance company, to ensure legal adherence and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) protocols are strictly followed. This sort of information and transparency allows the investors to make well-informed decisions and increases their confidence with regard to the security and worthiness of their tokens. Moreover, our bottom-up approach to governance reflects our commitment to transparency. Investors are kept informed about key decisions and developments, ensuring they have a stake in the future of their investments. This isn’t just about appeasing investors; it’s about fostering a community of engaged stakeholders who are directly involved in the success of the project.

User Adoption: Unlocking the Potential of Asset-Backed Renewable Energy Tokens
As such, while a discussion of what such tokens are and what they might mean is all well and good, asset-backed green cryptocurrency tokens will never realize their full potential unless they are also intuitive, accessible, and widely embraced. SunMoney Solar Group has tackled this challenge by designing a platform that’s as user-friendly as it is sophisticated. Whether you’re a seasoned investor or dipping your toes into digital assets for the first time, the SDBN platform makes investing straightforward and understandable. It is not just an aesthetic design but a means of eliminating barriers to entry, making it accessible to more people in the investment world — especially those who have been neglected by conventional financial infrastructures. These tokens are made even more attractive by further partnerships with established financial institutions, as they add layers of credence and credibility. Meanwhile, efforts to foster a vibrant investor community ensure that users are not navigating this space alone. Instead, they are part of a supportive network where they can share insights, ask questions, and grow together.

The Strategic Impact of Asset-Backed Green Cryptocurrency Tokens
The organic growth of the renewable energy industry is readily apparent as companies realize the strategic advantage offered by asset-backed renewable energy tokens such as SDBN. These are not ordinary investment vehicles: they differentiate themselves via the underlying policy used to generate financial return, which intertwines combined sustainability principles with profits. Each SDBN token is backed by a portion of an operational solar power plant, making it fully collateralized and measurable. This is not about trading the highs and lows of cryptocurrency, it’s about delivering an ironclad business model that earns investors a decent yield from clean power generation every day. When markets are prone to fluctuations, this type of down-to-earth investment is very attractive. SunMoney Solar Group is quite forward-thinking and intelligent in the use of these tokens. By linking the value of the tokens to real-world assets, a financial product that appeals to a very wide audience is created, from hardcore crypto investors to cautious and conscious ones seeking stable and sustainable options. The regular, stable returns offered by these tokens make SDBN an attractive choice for those who want to invest not just in financial growth, but in the future of our planet.

By Naji Haddad, VP – EMEA at Deliverect

In today’s competitive market, staying ahead of the curve is crucial to using essential cutting-edge technology for restaurants to thrive. Modern technology is transforming every facet of the restaurant business. From automating tasks with robotics to utilizing software for inventory management and customer service, these solutions empower restaurants to operate more efficiently and profitably, reshaping the entire industry.

Nowadays, new restaurants, ghost kitchens, and virtual food brands are popping up at every corner, making our industry the most competitive it has ever been; using the right tech is the way to reduce financial waste and elevate financial efficiency in the coming years.

Consolidating tech into a Comprehensive Solution

While tech integration is crucial, it shouldn’t burden restaurants with excessive costs or complexity. Many restaurants make the mistake of overinvesting in new software and even hardware solutions without first analyzing their needs, goals, and focus areas.

For example, one of the major focus areas for any growth-oriented restaurant would be to consolidate its tech and use a solution to seamlessly aggregate online orders, manage menus, track data, and reduce redundancy across your Point-of-Sale (POS) system.

This streamlines workflows and provides a unified overview of all incoming orders, especially for restaurants with multiple sales channels.

Always aim for a lean tech operation where you use only a handful of critical tools that provide as much bang for your buck as possible.

Protection of Revenue: Reducing Failed Orders

One of the critical aspects of financial efficiency in restaurants is reducing failed orders. This not only affects revenue but also customer satisfaction and loyalty. Having a solution that seamlessly integrates all your equipment, from online ordering systems to kitchen appliances, helps in reducing errors and ensuring orders are fulfilled accurately and on time.

By leveraging technology to streamline order processing, track inventory in real-time, and minimize manual errors, restaurants can protect their revenue by avoiding costly mistakes that lead to dissatisfied customers and lost sales opportunities.

Moreover, implementing predictive analytics and machine learning algorithms can further enhance order accuracy and reduce the risk of errors, contributing to improved revenue protection and customer experience.

Financial Tracking: A Cornerstone for Success

Effective financial management is paramount. Beyond tracking revenue and sales, restaurants require meticulous expense management and year-round financial analysis.

Financial monitoring and meticulous analysis are the foundational pillars of data-driven decision-making in this business, giving you a competitive edge. It all starts with the right accounting software that will provide you with a comprehensive overview of your accounts receivable and accounts payable, along with detailed reports.

This software should provide comprehensive overviews of accounts receivable and payable and detailed, granular reports – both at the micro and macro levels – to identify seasonal and annual cash flow trends.

Using Technology to Optimise Labor Costs

Everything is becoming more expensive. From logistics, food, packaging, equipment, and compliance to labour, training, and talent retention, restaurant owners desperately seek ways to cut their expenses.

Task automation is key to optimizing labor costs in restaurants. By automating repetitive tasks such as order processing, inventory management, and reporting, staff can focus on higher-value activities like customer service, menu innovation, and strategic planning.

Automated scheduling tools can also help in optimizing labor allocation based on demand patterns, ensuring adequate staffing levels without unnecessary overtime or understaffing situations. This not only improves operational efficiency but also enhances employee satisfaction and reduces turnover rates.

Investing in staff training on using these automated tools effectively can further maximize their impact on labor cost optimization and overall business performance.

Investing in the Future

The restaurant industry is becoming more competitive than ever, but that doesn’t mean that small businesses or up-and-coming brands can’t build long-term success and stability. However, by embracing technology for operational efficiency, cost optimisation, and strategic growth, restaurants of all sizes can thrive with this competitive edge in 2024 and beyond.