Arizona State University Alumni’s Post

Excited to be attending Restaurant Leadership Conference next Monday (well really Sunday) in Phoenix. This is my favorite conference of the year for a couple of reasons. I find the hallway connections are always great (the people you bump into at this conference are the widest array of concept's and scale). There is a nice mix of vendors as well and there is time to dig into items (whether that's with existing vendors or new potential vendors you can actually have time for a conversation). Informa Connect has clearly put a ton of thought into making sure there is enough time for these informal periods and the opening day activities are always fun (did a tequila tasting/cocktail making class last year and the year before some go kart racing). The drinks sessions, lunch periods etc. all facilitate and foster this seamless mixing. Finally I find that it's at a great time of the calendar right after Q1 has ended and we have been able to assess what's going right so far this year and what isn't. I find that other attendees are in a similar boat and thus the conversations are more vibrant and more focused. I do strongly suggest that operators of all sizes attend conferences like this one as the learning and development allows you to gain knowledge faster and from those further along the scaling journey than you are. Make time to work on your business rather than simply in the business as it will make you a far better operator. Not a sponsored post in anyway but just wanted to share my thoughts. Drop a comment below if you are attending as I'd love to see you there.

Flashback to last Friday when I implemented a bespoke "Effective selling skills" training session with the Glamorgan Brewing Company tele-sales team. 😱 Despite it being Friday 13th, there was nothing scary about the hugely positive vibe you could feel from everyone in the business, but particularly the course attendees. 🌍 The business is putting Welsh beer back on the map with their fantastic range of ales such as #welshlager and #jemimaspitchfork across both U.K. and export markets. 🍻 I was gutted that I was driving and couldn't accept the kind offer of sampling some of their award winning beers, maybe next time. However, the visit reminded me of how exciting this industry is, and I look forward to seeing the future continued growth of the business, partly I hope, on the back of a newly invigorated tele-sales team. This training was made possible by Menter a Busnes, so I hope i can work again with them to help other businesses in Wales in the future Thanks to Tyrone Pope and Richard Anstee for putting their trust in me. 🙏 🌟 Part of my services as a 🔌 "plug in sales leader" 🔌 is to help you upskill your teams. Please message me if you want to discuss any upskilling needs your team may have, either in my home country of Wales or further afield. 🌟 #brewing #sales #training #leadership #freelance

Sabert Chicago's workforce stands as a pinnacle of excellence, navigating the intricate challenges of crafting the renowned McDonald's sandwich clamshell and the iconic Starbucks coffee sleeves. Their journey is not merely one of production but a saga of pioneering processes and refining their artistry across time. The depth of expertise within the Sabert team, embodied by seasoned operators and industry professionals, propels them into a league of unparalleled production, quality, and efficiency within the realm of food service packaging. They have set a standard that remains unmatched, a testament to their unwavering commitment to excellence. Despite the claims of ostentatious sales professionals, the truth remains clear: Sabert Chicago's production processes reign supreme, leaving competitors in their wake. Their leadership in the industry is not a mere title but a reality that places any other group below them, emphasizing that anything less than the best is simply not enough in this competitive landscape.

There's been a through-line across Coors' #history, through Prohibition, family tragedies, world wars and the light #beer wars: the primal need to survive. Each generation of #Coors leaders has found different ways to make an impact, and with foresight and determination kept the brewery alive during dark and difficult times. My latest on the blog is a good one, if I do say so myself.

🛒🤨 Trust in Leadership: Share Your Perspective! 🗳️🤔 💡 Do you trust Woolworths CEO Bradford Banducci's assertion that not stocking Australia Day merchandise is solely a commercial decision? Given the past contribution to the Yes campaign, are there concerns about corporate interference in public opinion? Dive into the conversation on 4MySay! 🤝🌏 #CorporateTrust #PublicOpinion

Tomorrow is my official go live day - Mai Sushi Area Manager covering from Oxford to Aberdeen. I took two days off last week to take time, energise and get ready. I watched America’s Sweethearts. Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. I’m empowered and inspired. Focussed. DCC have a culture - a lifestyle, a family. Based on results. Not emotion. Fact, supported with feelings of love and care. From 1000’s to just 36 women. High performers for 5 years if they want it. What a foundation to build on. I’m going into this week building a culture of respect, inspiration and empowerment. Built with integrity and care. To be that leader of a brand that people want to thrive with, empowered to deliver the best, standout as a winning team and be bold to work united. Our values at Hana Group are clear - we care, we act, we dare, we trust. I’m the fortunate one lead Mai in the North. I’m stoked to have this role and can’t wait to see what we deliver. Here’s an action for you. Watch America’s Sweetheart, reflect on how to build a winning team just like they did! Be that leader that everyone wants to be with, for your team. Not for you. #uniteandinspire #dcc #leaders #thrive

Here’s how you can incentivize your employees to take on more responsibility and become leaders in your company. Every month we get recognized in our sales meeting with Patrick for achieving specific milestones. This is a picture of me getting promoted for generating a generous amount of revenue for the company in the span of 60 days. “Everyone in your company craves recognition even the ones who act like they’re too cool to ever want it. I promise you they do.” - Will Guidara, owner of the number 1 restaurant in the world Eleven Madison. You have to make working at your company like a video game. Incentivize the right actions.

Leadership Shuffles 🔄 The winds of change are blowing through Samworth Brothers as Hugo Mahoney hands over the reins. After steering the company through the post-pandemic era, it's time for a fresh face at the helm. Meet Simon Wookey, the insider propelled from Chief Commercial Officer to CEO. With 35 years of seasoning in the food industry, Wookey's portfolio is as rich as the history of Samworth Brothers itself. From crafting sandwiches to crafting strategies, Wookey's career has been a smorgasbord of leadership roles, especially his notable 20 years with Greencore. His transition marks a strategic move, exemplifying the company's commitment to growth and sustained success. As we tip our hats to Hugo Mahoney's resilient leadership, Simon Wookey's ascent promises to bring a fresh yet experienced perspective to the executive table. Here's to aligning the legacy of past achievements with a forward-thinking vision! #Leadershiptransition #foodIndustry #businessstrategy #fmcg #foodmanufacturing

🍴 Yesterday, I had the pleasure of speaking with a manager at a local restaurant, a place my family and I have frequently visited over the past weeks. 🍴 Each visit has been a marked by exceptional service and excellence. What really stands out, however, is the restaurant's unwavering consistency. When I spoke to the manager about my experience she shared a valuable insight: "Consistency is key. It's part of our core values." ❤️ This simple yet profound statement resonated with me. In a world where change is constant, maintaining a consistent level of service and quality can be challenging. But it's this very consistency that creates a lasting impression and fosters customer loyalty. ❤️ This restaurant's commitment to consistency is a testament to their dedication and professionalism. It's a reminder that, whether in the hospitality industry or any other field, consistency isn't just about meeting expectations – it's about exceeding them, time and time again. ⏰✨ 🏆 Kudos to the entire team at FIRST WATCH, Champions Gate for consistently setting such a high standard! I believe if you apply this theory on areas of business, a focus on consistency will repay you accordingly. 🏆 #HospitalityExcellence #ConsistencyIsKey #CustomerExperience #BusinessValues #Leadership

Simple The word simple has been in my life lately. During the Savannah Bananas leadership trip, Jared Orton, the President, said we have a simple business and followed up that message with a simple but inspiring presentation. While at the Chick-fil-A Corporate Support Center following that Savannah Bananas trip, we stopped at the Chick-fil-A Restaurants gift shop (I mean, who has a gift shop in their corporate headquarters…pretty cool!). I picked up several books including How Did You Do It, Truett? which I read today. The book mentioned the word simple numerous times and had the message that I wanted to share: “Every day, though, we remember that the Chick-fil-A Chicken Sandwich is really a simple concept. We take advantage of our biggest opportunities when we keep it simple, focusing on serving great tasting food in a clean, wholesome environment with great customer service.” How can you do a better job to keep it simple for your team members and your partners or clients? That is what I’ll be working on over the next few days. #simple #inspiring #chickfila #qsr #atlanta #savannahbanannas #savannahgeorgia #brand #branding #brandagency #brandingagency #brandadvertising