Ya Kun’s origins can be traced back to 1994 when Loi Ah Koon first opened a coffee shop. He offered coffee, tea, eggs, and toast. In 2001, Ya Kun International was officially established in Singapore. At present, Ya Kun has a total of 32 outlets in Singapore and 27 franchise outlets across various parts of Asia such as Indonesia, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, and the Philippines. The company promotes a family-style work environment and follows a “promotion-from-within” policy. Teamwork is highly valued at Ya Kun, with employees supporting each other not only within their own outlets and departments but also across different locations.
In Ya Kun, the top management serves as role models to foster a culture of teamwork. The organization follows a flat structure where employees feel at ease approaching their superiors to address concerns or offer suggestions. The recruitment process for outlet staff involves advertising job openings in Chinese and English newspapers, as well as posting recruitment notices at the outlets. Interested applicants are then invited to participate in an interview process comprising two rounds, one with the senior area manager and another with the operations manager.
The main criteria in screening job applicants at Ya Kun is their level of commitment and willingness to work shifts. Other desirable qualities include integrity, diligence, and honesty. Prior experience in the food and beverage industry is not a requirement as Ya Kun believes that the necessary skills can be taught to those who are committed and willing to learn. After being selected, applicants undergo 2 weeks of training and a 3-month probation period. The majority of Ya Kun Singapore’s outlet staff are over 30 years old because mature workers generally display better work attitudes and a higher level of job commitment.
The staff at the outlet consists mainly of Singaporeans, along with employees from Malaysia and China. Alongside full-time workers, there are part-time employees who assist in the absence of full-time staff members. The outlets operate from 7 A.M. to 11 P.M., with staff working in 8-hour shifts. Approximately 10 staff members per shift are present at each outlet. Ya Kun emphasizes positive attitude and character when hiring, resulting in a committed and hardworking workforce.
The main attributes Ya Kun seeks in selecting store managers from the outlet staff are loyalty, honesty, and fairness. These qualities contribute to the staff’s happiness and commitment to the company, resulting in excellent customer service. However, the recruitment process poses a challenge for Ya Kun as finding individuals with the right attitude is crucial, since technical skills can be easily acquired. Unfortunately, some applicants were not open to working shifts, which made it challenging for Ya Kun to hire them. It’s important to note that shift work is unavoidable in the food and beverage retail industry.
