Happy, friendly, fun, cheerful...all words you want associated with your business, yes?

Sometimes you've chosen well with staff who smile and share their enjoyment of life. And occasionally a gloomy character slips through: it's been months since they saw the lighter side of anything, but their speed or efficiency saves the day.

This has been a tough year, and through it all you're job has been to keep smiling while customers feel anxious and gloomy. OK, not all the time, but more than 2008! There are many ways to 'build in the fun' so it doesn't depend on having a comedian at the bar.

Seasons Greetings! Thanks for the hard work you've put into making 2009 a happy year for customers, and all of us here at Profitable Hospitality. Here's to a very successful 2010!

• Cheerful music: a happy, lively beat that lifts the spirit. There's a billion-dollar music industry designed to create enjoyment. South American music comes to mind immediately - who helps you put your music mix together? A skilled DJ can help with selections, or staff at a small music retailer.

• A friendly, hand-written note on the account as it goes to the table: this was standard at my cafe and staff swore that it helped with tips.

• Share some humour on your website: most of them are so serious and self-important! Here's how Spirit House Restaurant shares their sense of humour in the Fun Stuff section of their site.

• Calendar Events: you'll find hundreds of great options in the Promotions Calendar - some funny, some more serious, and all creating word-of-mouth.

• Desserts make us happy: a sweet ending to the meal. Something creamy, rich with chocolate or juicy, fruity. Does your selection tempt people to 'sin a little'?

• Joke of the Day on your blackboard (eg >>>) - would it be so hard?

• Tell us about happy customers and events: let's face it, they're happening all the time when you serve hundreds of people. Take some inspiration from the great blog by Little Red Bike Cafe.

• Staff parties: It's hard to fit them in at this time of the year, but don't forget to do something generous and memorable; sometimes smaller, regulare events have more impact than a big bang once-a-year.

• Happy people to work with: Negative Nick or Nasty Nancy can cause lots of damage if left unchecked - are they the reason Happy Harry left after a few weeks? Anyone need to move on in January?

• Recognition makes us happy: thanks for a job done well or in difficult circumstances. Congratulations on exam results or for handling a crazy customer. Usually it's verbal, but a short 'Thank You' letter will be highly regarded (and kept). Useful examples ready to use in the Downoad Center.

• Fortune cookies? They may not fit your cuisine, but they can raise a smile...

• Well-organised work spaces make staff happy: when they arrive for a shift, all the equipment is clean, working and ready to go. Fridges stocked and work lists waiting. Anything to improve next year?

• Time off makes us happy: with friends, familiy and pets. Balancing hard work with relaxation - sure to be ways to make more 'me time' in 2010...

• How do you rate the big happy smile on job applicants? Paul, the smart owner of Green Zebra told me recently that he immediately hired a girl who giggled all through the apptitude test in her job interview: where there's a spark, make sure you grab it!

• Help make other people happy: staff and business contributions to a World Vision sponsored child, Oxfam or a local community group - they lift everyone's spirits.

• And finally, money helps to make us all happy! Good pay, tips and bonuses make staff smile, and a full till at the end of the shift makes the hard work worthwhile. Your profit strategies for 2010 will give you the resources to buy equipment, repaint the walls, pay more for a better manager and afford the holiday you deserve.

  We'd love to help you make next year the best year yet - Profitable Hospitality membership is a gift for the boss!

More Fun: enjoy a selection of funny restaurant videos at the bottom of this page - share them around >>>

Join us for the annual Trends Tour to Chicago and Las Vegas in May 2010.
Information and pricing now available - for early bird savings, bookings must be finalised by 31 December.

Smart Staff Management with Profitable Hospitality Resources:

220+ Staff Management Forms & Documents - standard industry formats ready to use.

Staffing & Human Resources Dept is a goldmine of indepth information and advice.

1st Class Members have support and practical resources in every area - it's an investment with a fast return - Join Online Now or by Fax or Invoice.

Check margins with Profitable Recipe Manager. On CD or instant download - accurate recipe costing is another essential 'business basic'.

2009 & 2010 Training & Events Calendar

NEW: 25 Great Ways to Promote your Hospitality Business Online - Melbourne 15 March, Sydney 7 April, Brisbane 14 April - full day workshops.

NEW: 25 Great Ways to Promote your Club Online - Sydney: 17 February 2010 - full day workshop.

NEW: Food & Beverage Alive: Queensland 2010 23-24 March 2010 in Brisbane. Two intensive days for club professionals.

Starting a Cafe or Restaurant Workshop 27 February in Sydney; 13 March 2010 in Melbourne

With warm regards -

Connect with Ken Burgin on Twitter!

Restaurant Videos to raise a laugh...

Big Night: the customer who is always right:

Selling Wedding Flowers: hopefully your sales are more subtle than this!