2014 Coffee Training at If Coffee: Lessons Learned

When you arrive at a coffee shop expecting to train a team, and find only one person left standing after everyone else quit, you know the session won’t go as planned. That’s exactly what happened during a 2014 training collaboration at If Coffee in Nanjing — a situation many trainers and café owners hope to avoid, but few talk about.

In short: the training ran smoothly in atmosphere and planning, but failed in execution due to sudden staff turnover, overreliance on rigid teaching materials, and poor group engagement — all within just seven days.

The Setup: A New Café with Old Roots

The training took place at If Coffee, located at 18-888 Hubin Road, Jiangning District, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province. The shop could be reached by phone at 025-86181000. Visually, If Coffee had recently undergone a major transformation. Formerly operating under a now-defunct franchise model — possibly linked to the widely criticised ‘Island-style’ café chain — the renovation turned it into a comfortable, modern space. The surprise came not from the décor, but from what remained behind the scenes.

What Went Wrong: Staffing & Training Approach

The training was scheduled to begin on February 25, 2014, following a day of prep. This was the trainer’s — the author’s — first time delivering the newly developed course, and also the first time working with a long-established commercial coffee shop rather than a startup or café still in early phases. The goal was to elevate the team’s barista skills and overall coffee knowledge.

But then reality hit: two of the three baristas resigned before training began, leaving only the head barista. That immediately limited the training’s scope. Compounding the issue, the espresso grinder — an Italian-made machine dedicated to espresso — was clogged with old coffee debris due to lack of cleaning. The trainer disassembled and cleared the unit, resolving the mechanical issue, but human problems proved harder to fix.

The original training materials, while detailed, were relied upon too heavily. The trainer admits to delivering content in a dry, textbook-like manner, failing to adapt to the audience. Engagement dropped quickly, especially among non-barista staff who found the theoretical material unrelatable and dull.

The Turnaround: Using Visuals to Spark Interest

To salvage the situation, the trainer introduced video content midway through the week. By showing coffee-related videos — including latte art clips and the documentary Taste of Coffee — interest picked up, particularly among the female staff. Latte art videos, in particular, resonated and helped re-engage the team. This shift in delivery marked the only significant improvement in training dynamics during the week.

Unfulfilled Potential: Missed Topics & Equipment

Despite some progress, several planned topics were never covered. Most notably, the trainer wanted to demonstrate Dutch cold drip coffee preparation. Unfortunately, the shop owned a high-end, delicate, and rarely used cold drip setup that had been gathering dust on the bar. Due to the equipment’s cost, fragility, and low usage frequency, the trainer decided against using it — but deeply regretted not being able to introduce the concept or clean up the neglected machine. That omission became a key personal regret from the training week.

The training officially ended with some positive momentum on the final two days, but overall effectiveness remained low. The trainer reflected on the experience as more of a lost opportunity than a success, despite cordial relations with the café owner.

About If Coffee & Its Owner

The owner of If Coffee was described as serious, detail-oriented, and highly self-critical — a rare trait among café operators. Despite coffee currently being a secondary offering, the owner believed in its potential to become a core profit driver. The trainer expressed optimism about the shop’s future, citing strong local resident purchasing power, a once-established reputation, and the owner’s commitment to quality coffee as reasons for long-term confidence.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the original goal of the 2014 If Coffee training?

The goal was to train the existing staff of If Coffee — a newly renovated commercial coffee shop in Nanjing — in updated barista techniques and coffee knowledge, using a new training curriculum developed by the trainer. It was also the trainer’s first time working with an established business rather than a startup café.

Why did the training fail to deliver strong results?

Several factors contributed: two baristas quit just before training began, leaving only the head barista; the trainer relied too much on rigid, unengaging written materials; and non-barista staff showed little interest in theoretical content. Engagement improved only when video demonstrations were introduced midway.

What equipment issues came up during the training?

The espresso grinder was initially malfunctioning due to coffee grounds clogging internal gears and screws, which made fine adjustments impossible. The trainer fixed this by cleaning it out. However, a high-end cold drip machine was ignored because it was expensive, delicate, and rarely used.

What could the trainer have done differently?

The trainer acknowledged being too dependent on the training manual, not adapting to the audience’s needs, and failing to create an interactive or motivating environment. Introducing multimedia earlier and making the content more practical could have improved engagement.

What is the current outlook for If Coffee according to the trainer?

Despite the training challenges, the trainer was optimistic about If Coffee’s future. They praised the owner’s hands-on approach, dedication to quality, and belief in coffee’s long-term potential as a core offering. The surrounding neighbourhood’s strong spending power was also seen as a positive factor.

Was any part of the training considered a success?

Yes. In the final two days, showing coffee videos — particularly latte art clips and the documentary Taste of Coffee — helped re-engage the staff, especially the younger, female employees. That shift marked the only clear success in improving participation and interest.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Café Training

For a training-focused café like If Coffee, FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Humbera offers bright floral and citrus notes with a juicy body — ideal for practicing espresso and milk drinks. The Yirgacheffe is another excellent choice with vibrant berry and lemon zest tones, helping trainees dial in delicate extractions. Both single origins encourage focus on grind consistency, water temperature, and flavour profiling. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.