I was interested to read the article on motivation (Caterer, 15 June, page 26). When I started in the trade I was a management trainee with J Lyons and Co. Henry Gluckstein, who was a director, told us all the only motivation you needed was to see satisfied customers leaving your unit - motivate yourself with extra special service to the customer, and be proud to be part of the team.

As with Peter Tyrie of the Eton Collection, we were multi-task managers. We would go from being toilet cleaners to unit manager and back again in 24 hours.

Over the years I have never forgotten how great it was to work with a good company. I have always taught managers who worked for me how to do my job. Why be frightened of everyone knowing what an important part of the team they are? Money is not the be-all and end-all of motivating staff, it just helps.

When I had a large region of units to look after, it was the cleaner I wanted to know about before I arrived - it's the most important job in any establishment. Treat people like you would want to be treated, empower, praise, share good and bad and try to understand their lives.

To be motivated we need to be wanted and part of the team.

Dudley R Seale
Consultant, DRS Leisure, Minehead, Somerset

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