The It’s
Good Business program is about changing views of alcohol
service in the tourism/hospitality industry. The consumption of alcohol
has changed. Public attitudes have changed. Laws and regulations have
changed. Employees and employers who serve alcohol need to understand
their
role in response to this new business environment.
Hotels, restaurants, clubs and bars
are looking at new plans for keeping or improving profits within the
changing times of alcohol regulation and alcohol consumption. Many
establishments are moving towards more responsible
alcohol service. The goal is to run a profitable business while reducing
alcohol-related problems. The main concerns are impaired driving and
alcohol-related lawsuits against both servers and licensed premises.
Hotels, restaurants, clubs and bars
are looking at new plans for keeping or improving profits with lower
alcohol sales. Many establishments are moving towards more responsible
alcohol
service. The goal is to run a profitable business while reducing alcohol-related
problems. The main concerns are impaired driving and alcohol-related
lawsuits against both servers and
licensed premises.
No doubt you are a busy person. Running a business in the tourism/hospitality industry can truly mean “being on the run”. So why should you be interested in a training programthat talks about responsible alcohol service and shifting attitudes towards alcohol?
This program blends good business
sense with good corporate citizenship. In putting this program together,
we talked to a wide range of managers, bartenders and servers. Many
of
them find themselves in a dilemma. They know the benefits and enjoyment
that good food and drink can bring to the people they serve. However,
they live in a world full of messages about impaired driving and other
problems related to alcohol. They know that occasionally or more frequently,
people leave their place of business after having too much to drink.
The fact that business people are concerned about an important social issue should not surprise anyone. Business people are the leaders in countless service clubs, charitable agencies and public causes. This is an issue the whole tourism/hospitality industry can get behind.
Note: The terms
patron, customer and guest are used throughout this manual and all
refer to a person who visits your
place of employment.
Getting the Most Out of This Program
Alcohol is sold at restaurants, lounges, nightclubs, country clubs, conventions, special functions, sporting events and bars. The places are different. The people are different. The circumstances are different. Each person who owns or manages one of these facilities faces his or her own special set of challenges. These differences mean that you have to use your own judgment and experience to get the most out of this program. With the possible differences in mind, here are some suggestions to make the most of this program:
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Remember that your goal should be to pull out the ideas that will work for you and your establishment.
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A number of strategies for profit maintenance and enhancement and responsible service will be covered in this manual. Think of them as items on a menu.Choose the best ones to tailor make our
own practical policies and plans. -
If an idea strikes you as not being useful, don’t discard it immediately. Often it can be adapted. Instead of thinking ‘this won’t work’, consider ‘how could this be adapted
to my situation?’ -
Use this manual and the ideas to brainstorm with your management and service teams. Look for other chances to discuss and firm up your strategies.
This program is not intended to be an exhaustive review of The Liquor Control Act or the regulation requirements for different types of licensees.
Take the time
to write down any specific regulatory questions as you think of them.
You can then contact the Manitoba
Liquor Control Commission or your liquor inspector to provide
you with the information you require for your operation. Their phone
numbers are listed below.
For complete information about The Liquor Control Act and Regulations,
or to obtain copies of the most recent ‘Liquor Laws and You’,
contact the Manitoba Liquor Control Commission Inspection Services
Office nearest you. The Liquor Control Act can also be viewed (and
printed) in .pdf format here.
| Telephone | Fax | |
| Winnipeg | 474-5585 | 453-5254 |
| Brandon | 726-6490 | 726-6776 |
| Dauphin | 622-2169 | 726-6776 |
| Thompson | 778-4145 | 778-7133 |
You may buy copies of The
Liquor Control Act and Regulations from:
Statutory PublicationsProvince of Manitoba
200 Vaughan Street
Winnipeg, Manitoba R3C 1T5
or
Manitoba Liquor Control Commission
1555 Buffalo PlaceP.O. Box 1023
Winnipeg, Manitoba R3C 2X1
