Sharon Brett-Richards, Dip CII.’s Post

My first job out of college was in a restaurant and working in the hospitality industry is an experience that has truly shaped how I approach my work today. So you can imagine my excitement when I had the opportunity to meet and lead a discussion with Joanne Chang (Owner of Flour Bakery and Myers + Chang). Joanne stopped by Fidelity earlier this week to answer a few questions and showed us the best way to frost cupcakes (for those of you who have yet to try Flour’s baked goods – stop everything you’re doing and get over there!!!) I think everyone in attendance would tell you how amazing Joanne is. Not only is her professional experience and resume incredible, but she offered up some great advice that I think can apply to everyone, no matter the industry you work in! Some of my favorite takeaways from our conversation: 1. So many baking mistakes are still edible. I LOVE this perspective! It’s so true and I think it applies across industries. Making mistakes is a part of the process and you never know which mistake might lead to an even better idea! 2. That which does not kill you makes you stronger. Joanne shared this as the best piece of advice she’s received and how it’s applied to her experience in the kitchen countless times! 3. The two things you need to succeed as a baker? Passion and patience. Joanne shared that not only are these two essential ingredients for a successful baking endeavor but are necessary for any successful hobby or career. Thanks for stopping by Fidelity and we can’t wait to see you again! #FidelityAssociate

I wasted the start of my career being selfish and stubborn. For 2 years now, I've been responsible for scheduling a team of 90 people & managing our restaurant's Labor metric. If I'm honest, my goal used to be: 1) Create systems. 2) Follow policies. This meant if someone asked for a favor 2 hours after the request deadline, I said no. Which at the time felt right, because I was simply maintaining high standards; which contributed to the great job I was doing; which contributed to the success of our business; which meant people should be grateful. Right? Wrong. I finally learned this lesson the hard way: I will never be doing a good job if I am stepping all over people. AKA, others have to come first. Meaning, my team is worth inconveniencing myself to help. Now, if someone asks me for a favor after the request deadline, I do it. Yes, I have to deal with inconvenience. But the person I helped feels supported, our relationship is improved, & their contribution to our team will be more positive. Systems & policies are great. But people will always come first. Do yourself a favor and learn that sooner than I did.

Summer is coming….. I’ve spent a lot of time and energy connecting with folks who work in #manufacturing specifically those in Eastern Wisconsin. If you’ve been getting messages from me recently this post is for you. Summer is the perfect time to tell your employees you appreciate the work they do. It’s a great time to get everyone outside to breathe in some fresh air and feel some sunshine on their skin. I want to help you with that. Longhouse Sheboygan is taking orders for employee appreciation events for summer. We have: -Mobile Axe Lanes -Mobile escape room (outdoor capable) -Catering options from $14-18 delivered and setup -Bar options (to the extent my liquor license allows) We also have very competitive pricing if I do say so myself. A $50/person budget for a 100 person company could get you quite a bit. We are a small operation that’s been scrapping pretty hard to survive since we opened in Oct 2020, when Covid was at its worst. Our survival is a testament to hard work, and I learned my work ethic in Wisconsin - where we WORK. We work hard because not working hard hardly seems worth it. Your employees work hard because their is pride in a job well done. Hard work should make you tired. Hard work should make you hungry. My homemade meals for workers speak appreciation for craft. When you want to say thank you with food, drink, and fun I’ll work my hardest to make sure your folks feel it. I don’t know how not to.

See you tonight in Des Moines at Range Restaurant + Cocktail Bar and tomorrow at Smokey Row. Drop a comment below if you're coming! If you're hesitating on whether or not to come, I'll help... (keep reading) Three reasons you should attend a local meetup: 1. Networking: Expand your professional network. 2. Learning: Gain insights from industry leaders you may not otherwise meet. 3. Opportunities: Discover job openings, collaborations, and projects. Have you attended a local meetup? Was it worth it? A few people that I hope see this and show up: Tiffany N. Berkenes, Beth Shelton, MBA (she/her), Bernie E. Stone MA, MBA, Erin Disney, Nathan Seberg, Michael Novotny, Andrew English, Nolan Zobel, Brian Steffen, Anna Nalean, Jamie Norton, Kelsey Bolton, and so many more. The goal isn't a Simpson College reunion, but I never know who will show.

Our company town hall event is tomorrow. It’s exciting to see and hear the plans for our company as we continue forward in our drive to success. I like to say that Raydia Food Group is a young company with 175 years behind it. This is also a time to remember and celebrate the unwavering dedication that defines each and every one of us. In the world of business, success is not merely measured by the numbers on a balance sheet or the accolades on a resume. It's measured by the depth of our commitment, the sacrifices we make, and the resilience we demonstrate in the face of adversity. We all know the feeling of waking up with a heavy heart or battling through illness, yet dragging ourselves out of bed to fulfill our responsibilities. It's the late nights spent poring over spreadsheets, the weekends sacrificed for the sake of a project deadline, and the moments when we put the needs of our team above our own. But why do we do it? Why do we push ourselves beyond our limits, endure sleepless nights, and make personal sacrifices for the sake of our work? Because we believe in something greater than ourselves. Because we are driven by a passion to succeed, a commitment to excellence, and a desire to make a difference in the world. We understand that success is not handed to us on a silver platter. It's earned through hard work, perseverance, and an unwavering dedication to our craft. It's about showing up, day in and day out, even when the odds are stacked against us. It's about going the extra mile, not because it's easy, but because it's necessary. And while our dedication may sometimes go unnoticed, rest assured that it does not go unappreciated. For every sleepless night, every sacrifice made, and every hurdle overcome, we are building something extraordinary. We are building a legacy of resilience, determination, and excellence that will inspire generations to come. So as the entire Raydia team meets tomorrow, we will continue to strive for greatness, to push the boundaries of what is possible, and to never waver in our commitment to our work and to each other. Together, we can achieve anything we set our minds to.

TGI Fridays' parent company – Hostmore Plc – falls into administration, with over 4,000 jobs potentially at risk, though hopes of a buyer before the end of the month remain. Another casualty in the hospitality/dining sector, Hostmore’s revenues have been in decline, posting losses over recent years. Along with an increasing debt profile, it comes as no surprise when monitoring the Company Watch score performance, with scores of 13 and 8 in the latest period, for the H-Score and TextScore respectively, and a Combined Score of just 4. It follows the ongoing trend of an increase in net closures for chain restaurants, highlighted in PwC’s retail and consumer good insights for H1. https://lnkd.in/gZM_5dzK

*** 4 🅰️ s for confident career growth *** A few takeaways from this event last night put on by hospitality powerhouse Natalia Ribbe. Thanks to Michelle Moreno for being a fabulous co-pilot. 🅰️ ACCEPT - compliments and feedback, internalise praise. Our brains are hardwired to remember negatives and focus on what we haven't done. My antidote? Create a brag file to record all the good stuff you do and positive feedback you get. 🅰️ ACT - action is what moves us forward. If you have limiting beliefs ("I could never lead a team / open my own restaurant / set up my own business / speak at an event") the best way to prove your imposter syndrome wrong is to DO IT. 🅰️ ASK - for what you want. Use simple direct language. Keep it concise. Try this formula: Say their name, Say what you want in one sentence, Give one or two compelling reasons why, Handover to them. What's the worst that can happen? 🅰️ AVOID - avoid minimising language. Some words make you sound and feel smaller. e.g saying sorry at the start of every sentence when you have done nothing wrong, and the word 'just'. You don't need to diminish yourself to be liked. Be liked for doing great work.

My takeaway- the service industry is tough and ruthless at points. It can be incredibly lonely when things aren’t going your way. But, also incredibly rewarding. Give this a read if you’re thinking of changing careers. And, if you are in the industry and struggling because of nights like this, please reach out

Do you truly understand the "job to be done" of the product or service you are offering? Clayton Christensen, a professor at Harvard Business School, conducted a fascinating experiment: A fast-food restaurant aimed to boost milkshake sales. They surveyed customers about their preferences for the milkshakes: - Chocolateiness - Thickness - Cost - Chunkiness - Chewiness Improvements were made based on this feedback, but sales remained stagnant. It turned out customers were not fully aware of what they wanted. The real solution required deeper insight. Christensen's team investigated WHO the customers were, WHEN they purchased milkshakes, and WHY they chose them. Here’s what they discovered: 1. 50% of milkshakes were bought before 8 AM by solo car commuters. 2. Upon questioning WHY, they learned it was a breakfast choice during commutes. 3. Milkshakes fit in cup holders, were easy to handle, clean, and lasted through the journey. In comparison to other breakfast items like fruits, muffins, eggs, doughnuts, milkshakes (and likely smoothies) best served this purpose. Knowing what customers cared about made improving the product easier. Back to the question : Are you sure you're completely aware of the "job to be done" of the "milkshake" you're selling ? Credits : https://lnkd.in/gqbAJ6dy

The road to ‘figuring’ it out can be long at times. Be it a new job in a new region. A reasonable rental space near your college. The perfect recipe for that perfect pizza’s dough. To connecting well with your colleagues and doing amazing at work. It will be tiring, a big YES but it will be worth it, a bigger YES. While you are in the middle of this, Do not forget to live your journey too. Do not let it create a chaos in your mind. Do not forget to be kind and fair to yourself. Do not let it stop you from giving your best. #Happyjourney #challengethechallenge