During the United Kingdom’s Spanish restaurant boom that began before 2000, I met a genuine Spanish-born restaurateur. Javier and I became very good friends over the next ten years.

A franchisee of what was then uniquely Britain’s top Spanish theme restaurant chain, Javier was outgoing and, above all, he was ambitious. He was the kind of entrepreneur who would be a captain of such an industry.

A SUCCESS STORY: Javier had a clear-headed business strategy that proved to be successful.

Focused, the friend who was born and raised in Segovia had a single-minded aim. Such would be the success of his Liverpool-based restaurant that he would achieve his lifetime ambition.

After we sat down at a table together, he opened his laptop. For the next twenty minutes, I gazed in awe at the splendours of Segovia, just north of Madrid.

A PARADOR FOR JAVIER: Then my friend got to share his dream with me. Javier would make such a success of his Liverpool restaurant he would live his dream.

Showing me a picture of a once stately home nestled beside a lake near Segovia, I guessed it was a former stately home, perhaps of a Spanish nobleman.

Eventually, he told me, he would use the fortune made in the Liverpool restaurant to purchase this remarkable luxury pad and turn it into a Parador.

Look it up: Paradors are not budget hotels. These hotels are state-of-the-art refurbished former castles, nobleman’s homes, abbeys and stately homes worthy of kings of Spain.

HERE IS A TIP: Javier’s strategy whilst working towards his dream was to make certain that every one of his Liverpool restaurant’s waiting on staff pocketed their tips.

The strategy was a clear winner. He told me this policy motivated his staff so much that they worked harder at drawing trade and keeping clients well fed and happy, and that many bought homes or paid for their university fees with their hard-earned gratuities.

SO, HOW DID HIS RESTAURANT WORK OUT?

Javier’s 150-seat restaurant was always packed. When I arrived with friends, there was often a queue at the bar; as often as not, happy high-paying customers would queue at the door for up to an hour to be called to their table

THE OUTCOME: My friend’s restaurant was second only to his London rival, which, anyway, had more tables than his Liverpool restaurant. Eventually, Javier sold his franchise and bought his parador in Segovia.

NOW A SAD STORY: I am also friendly with restaurant owners in Costa Blanca, Spain. No names, no pack drill, as they all have one thing in common.

Meanness that would make Ebenezer Scrooge cringe. These luckless and dumb business flops paid well below the minimum wage, never paid for extra hours worked, and cheated on the staff’s holiday pay. Worst of all, they pocketed and handbagged the tips that grateful customers gave to the waiting staff.

YOU KNOW HOW SUCH MISERLINESS WORKED OUT, DON’T YOU?

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Their poorly motivated, unappreciated waiting staff, including cooks, often left for greener pastures. Replacing staff, especially hardworking, loyal staff, is very expensive. This, in turn, negatively affects the restaurant’s business.

These hapless Ebeneezer Scrooge business owners who worship above all else the cash register and its meagre contents are losers. They barely scratch a living.

If you want your business to prosper, be like Javier. If you haven’t got the brains to be like my friend, then business – any business- is not for you.

MICHAEL WALSH was a leading executive for Britain’s venerated Guild of Master Craftsmen for twenty years.

Over those two decades, the business doctor analysed and coached hundreds of small business owners who, thanks to his tutoring, became big and successful businesses.

If you wish your business wherever in the world, then grab a copy of Michael Walsh’s BUSINESS BOOSTER. It will be the best investment you ever made.

THE BUSINESS BOOSTER Michael Walsh, during 20 years as an executive of the Guild of Master Craftsmen and Federation of Master Builders, helped thousands of businesses to increase profits whilst reducing overheads. EURO WEEKLY NEWS business advice columnist. Perfect gift for the self-employed, wherever you are in the world. https://michaelwalshbooks.wordpress.com/