The Forgetting Curve, What It Is, Why It Matters & What To Do

The forgetting curve hypothesizes the decline of memory retention in time. This curve shows how information is lost over time when there is no attempt to retain it.

Why is it relevant to you?

For yourself, use these insights to develop a system to fight the forgetting curve. If you lead a team, then bake this into your processes.

Actionable Insights

The key here is to retain the knowledge. Start with acceptance. Just because you saw a product demo once or you had a lecture or training program, does not mean you will retain that knowledge and neither will your team.

• You have to put in a process to consciously review the learned knowledge.

Simply put, you should make sure you review regularly to make learning stick.

Find out more about spaced repetition - A Simple yet powerful methodology to learn and retain knowledge using flashcards. There are tons of apps too.

Real-World Examples

For Chefs / Kitchen Teams - When trying to share, teach a new recipe to the team.

1. Ask your team to read a recipe.

2. Do a demo of the recipe the next day. Take pics or make a video.

3. Have a discussion on the recipe, dish, the next day.

4. Ensure there is a review: 3 days, 7 days and 21 days from the first time the recipe was demonstrated.

5. Use the pics or video for the review. Ask questions. Take a quiz.

6. Do a repeat demo if the team is unable to remember details.

For Front Office Service Leaders / Food & Beverage Service Leaders

You can use an electronic version or pen & paper.

1. For your regulars or repeat guests, make cards with their names on one side and details on the opposite side. These could be preferences, standing instructions etc

2. Get each team member to start with one card from the stack. If they are able to answer correctly the card moves to a box they need to see only after 21 days. If not, they need to see it again the next day.

3. Do this, till you are out of cards.

You can use the same methodology for any knowledge across any team.

Want to make this WOW?

• Reward people for remembering stuff.

• Allow people time on shift to do this.

• Start small. Make a deck of just 10 cards with the most important things you want your team or yourself to remember. Once you ace these 10 cards you will know the power of the method. Expand as & when required.

If you need starter ideas, do reach out to p.bedi@eclathospitality.com

👋 We put out small, enjoyable, actionable insights regularly. These are for hospitality & service leaders.

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