A bustling bar is the aim of the game (excuse the pun) at community sports clubs; whether that’s during halftime or at the end of an innings.
Why? Because while the sport itself is obviously top priority, the income generated from bar sales can provide a huge boost to overall club funds which can be channeled back into the sport itself, it’s a win-win.
That said, a busy bar is a scenario that can put your hospitality skills to the test, with speed and efficiency of service having a direct impact on turnover. We’ve all been in that situation of queuing for what feels like forever to get a drink, and it puts you off going back, right?
So what can you do to make sure you knock it out of the park every time and reap these all important rewards? Selecting the right card terminal is mission critical and at TJB Services, that’s where we can help. In this article, we’ll discuss:
The impact of modern card terminals on efficiency
The importance of speed
Mobility and why it matters, and
The verdict from sports clubs who’ve optimised their bar service.
Without further ado, let’s get stuck in.
The impact of modern terminals
It’s no secret that the technology behind card payments has come on in leaps and bounds in the last decade. Gone are the days where every transaction required you to input your pin, and thankfully, the process has improved significantly.
Is size everything?
Alongside this, we’ve seen a noticeable shift from small iPhone-sized terminals with touchpads to larger, touchscreen terminals and it’s no surprise as there are two key benefits:
They reduce errors, and
Speed up price entry.
The result
These modern larger screens and easy to use interfaces allow staff to navigate the entire payment process swiftly, leading to quicker transactions, reduced waiting times, and ultimately more satisfied customers. And it’s not just the customer who comes up trumps, but fewer errors makes your life easier (and more profitable) too.
The need for speed
The benefits of the aforementioned speed of newer terminals is not limited to user interaction alone but also transaction processing speed - another key component in optimised bar service.
What is transaction processing speed?
In a nutshell, it’s the time it takes to confirm a payment has gone through - a critical factor in improving service.
Newer terminals offer faster processing speeds which means less time waiting for confirmation on your end, allowing you to serve the next customer more quickly. Faced with an ever-growing queue of thirsty punters, anyone who’s worked a bar knows every second counts when things get busy.
Good to know: Delays in payment processing can result in financial losses and reputation damage whereas reliability indicates commitment and strengthens customer trust.
Mobility matters
Remember a time before smartphones when ‘housephones’ were the norm and to chat with a pal you had to stand in the kitchen attached to a cord while your whole family listened in?
The evolution of technology has, thankfully, made that a thing of the past, and the same goes for your card terminals.
Be free
Fully mobile terminals with WiFi and 4G/GPRS capabilities (like the ones we offer at TJB Services) free you from the confines of the bar, allowing you to take payments anywhere on your ground.
Not only does this increase your capacity to generate revenue at peak times, but it also serves as a backup solution in the event of any Wi-Fi connection issues at the main bar terminal.
We’ve got your back - with a mobile terminal, you're always ready to take payments, no matter what the situation.
The verdict from sports clubs
At TJB Services, helping sports clubs reach their full potential is our bread and butter, but don’t just take our word for it, the feedback we've received from sports clubs that have made the move to larger, modern, mobile, touchscreen terminals has been overwhelmingly positive.
Our clubs have reported significant improvements in service speed, which translates into increased turnover during peak periods and an overall better customer experience.
Both bar staff and customers are happier, leading to a more enjoyable club environment and ultimately a more profitable club, what’s not to love?
Key takeaways
To summarise, the right card terminal can make a substantial difference to your club's:
Bar service
Speed,
Efficiency, and ultimately,
Bottom line.
As technology continues to evolve, it's worth considering how the tools you use impact your service and whether an upgrade could provide a much-needed boost to your bar operations.
Ready to optimise your bar and boost your bottom line? At TJB Services, we not only offer a free merchant service bill assessment service (to show you where you could be cutting costs) but we can also advise you on the best terminal options suited to the individual needs of your club.
To learn more or get started reach out to Chris at chris@tjbservices.co.uk.
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