Judging from your reviews, we can see that you enjoy our food and the great people you meet here. We’ve put together a few tips on how to deepen friendships in the restaurant so that it all works out on the patio and in the kitchen.
1. Creating a community
It’s important to build a community where you understand each other, not just in terms of work, but also as people. “Gatto Matto is a family concept that brings people together who share the same values. It’s really important to have good team chemistry. We’re delighted to see our bubble expanding to include the affiliated companies we’ve partnered with. I see a unique connection with each company, whether it’s a family winery, an art house, or any of our vendors. We’re here to support, visit and inspire each other. It’s also a great way for us to spend our free time,” says Silvia Biskupičová, Gatto Matto’s marketing manager.
Terézia Hubčíková is another colleague who feels happy about it: “I had absolutely no expectation that my manicure, for example, would be covered by the company benefits, or that my co-workers and I could go and do some yoga. I’m excited to build on our already great relationship in this way.”
2. Organising team-building
Viktória Benčová, Gatto Matto’s HR manager, says that team-building is about sharing time, having fun, creating a positive atmosphere and communicating. Team-building events are also great for helping new team members to settle in more quickly and get to know their colleagues better, which leads to a more harmonious workplace. “Examples include our orchard picnic, the 12-kilometre Devín run, and a barbecue where we enjoyed good food and sport. A lot of the time, ideas for team-building come from colleagues,” she says. Take a poll and ask the team what sort of activity they’d be most interested in.
“My personal favourite was the team-building exercise in Trnava, where we visited our friends at the Magula family winery and our acquaintances at the Sessler brewery. We enjoyed some delicious food, sampled some great artisan wines, and learnt something new. After the tasting, the fun continued with bowling and pool,” recalls Dominik Huba, bartender at Gatto Matto Panská.
3. Taking care of colleaques
It’s really important for any company, especially one that’s family-owned, to take a genuine interest in its team members. Believe me, they notice. “From day one, my co-workers were there to help me with pretty much everything. Sometimes after work we’d go out for a beer or to get some exercise. So I got to know not only the team, but also a lot of new places,” says Dominik Valovič, manager at Gatto Matto Ventúrska.
The bar manager at Gatto Matto Panská, Anar Rzaiev, who joined us five years ago from Ukraine, also appreciates this level of care: “The company gave me a job and a place to live, which made it a lot easier for me to get started in Bratislava. The people here helped me and believed in me. Right away, I knew this was a team worth sticking with. I feel like I’m making good progress and I want to give back to the company.”
4. Company standards
As Peter Cibulka, the chef at Gatto Matto Rusovce, says, you have to be able to adapt your standards. The expectations of both management and other employees are considered. “I’m glad that we have rules, fixed working hours, undisturbed rest with my family, and a stable income,” he says.
It’s important to give your employees a solid foundation to lean on. Michal Michulek, manager of Gatto Matto Rusovce, says the company did a great job of handling the tricky situation during the pandemic: “They gave us job security, which meant we had the money to keep our home life running smoothly. Not all businesses did that, and I know I can turn to these people any time.”
5. Growth and learning
Make sure that every team member has the chance to develop. “We’ve got an internal training system in place at Gatto Matto locations. Our staff get regular training that helps them get better results, handle situations correctly, manage stress and look after their mental wellbeing. The latter is very important. It’s also a chance to show what I can do,” says manager Juraj Čechovič.
The initiative-minded Branislav Kováčik also seized this opportunity: “I spent a year and a half working as a waiter. I’ve always been a solid team player and enjoyed sharing my experiences with my colleagues. The management team noticed my efforts and offered me a job as a training instructor. I’m grateful that they saw potential in me. Today, my role is to train the new recruits and oversee the ongoing training of permanent staff.” In summary, we’re aiming to build a solid team that works together seamlessly. This provides a pleasant atmosphere in the restaurant, which our guests notice and feel at ease in. This is the dining experience we’re aiming for and we want to inspire others to achieve it too.
All the latest articles can be found in the BLOG at www.gattomatto.sk. Here we give you the low-down on what’s going on behind the scenes, and share the latest news, tips, recipes and stories of the great people behind the Gatto Matto concept. Follow us on social media to stay at the heart of the action.