Member Blog

Thought leadership from the brightest minds in hospitality training. Subscribe to our Training Flash E-Newsletter to get the latest articles right in your inbox.

Chart Your Course...to CHART Hotels and Restaurants

One of the benefits of being a part of CHART is the support we receive from one another. Our members teach their skills during conference breakout sessions, share best practices through both informal networking and established programs such as Ask My Peers, and donate money for new trainers to attend conferences with our Learning Legacy Fund. It seems like in almost every method possible, CHART folks are doing something to help out their fellow members. Except in one way...

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Harassment in the Workplace...It's Not Just Hollywood

Since the story broke regarding the unacceptable sexual misconduct of Harvey Weinstein, there is a new public figure accused every day. According to a Times Magazine article by Samantha Cooney published on November 9, 2017, there are now 36 high-profile people accused. They are high-powered directors, actors, senators, and comedians. And yes, chefs, restaurateurs, and hoteliers.

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Two Peas in a Pod: IT and Training

CHART recently announced a new partnership with the International Food and Beverage Technology Association (IFBTA). You may now be asking the question, “Why would CHART partner with a technology association?” Well, IT and Training go together like peanut butter and jelly, milk and cookies, and donuts and coffee of course!

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Keep Clam and Hire Optimists

Ivar’s recently when through a major renovation of its flagship location on Pier 54. As can be expected, this was a major challenge for the Ivar’s business. Bob Donegan, President of Ivar’s, and Patrick Yearout share how their team came together to work through this very challenging construction process, while keeping the team and culture of Ivar's intact.

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It's About

Hear Jeff Drozdowski’s first installment of his “It’s About” video blogging series on world leadership. This two-part blog is about Richard Branson of Virgin Records and Virgin Airlines and his ten rules to being successful.

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Getting Creative: Retaining and Growing Great Employees in a Tight Labor Market

Job seekers are in the driver’s seat, so employers need to get creative in finding and retaining employees. This is especially true in the hospitality industry, and many restaurants and hotels are finding interesting ways of attracting and retaining employees to help them grow in their jobs.

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Bring It On!

It’s hard to believe sometimes, but the period we remember as the Great Recession officially started 10 years ago in December 2007. It doesn’t seem like it’s been a decade since I first started hearing about the mortgage crisis, plunging home values, bank failures, and business closures, mainly because it was one of the most impactful events of my adult life and I still think about it quite often.

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Improving Hotel Guest Satisfaction Could be as Easy as a Smile

A good product is now the price of entry, and the power of an engaged staff is undeniable. Winners, regardless of the chain scale, will differentiate through the service they provide. This is great news for those that train and develop people to provide that service experience. A smart investment for hotel companies is having a great product, but recognizing that the “service with a smile” your team provides is the ultimate differentiator.

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CHART Talks: The Power of Words

Choosing the right words can make or break your desired intent. What is the message your words send to your customers? Are they achieving your desired results? Listen to Gabe Hosler as he shares examples of unintentional word usage that didn’t necessarily get the best message across. It’s the power of your words and your word selection that are critical to impactful results.

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CHART Talks: Embracing Turnover

We all hate the "T" word - Turnover. Let's face it, we all have it, but how can we actually embrace turnover in order to achieve a more positive level of results? Let's consider shifting our mindset to get to where we are more open to turnover and are more comfortable in investing in people regardless of whether they are going to leave us or not.

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Natural Disasters Don’t Plan Ahead, But You Can

Who would have thought the month of September would turn out to be such a trying time for many of our team members, families, and CHART friends. Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, Jose, and Maria, as well as other natural disasters, have left a trail of destruction. And just weeks ago, a deadly earthquake rocked Mexico. I followed our CHART friends on social media checking to make sure those in the affected areas were safe.

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CHART Talks: Ignite Your Meeting

We have all gotten those invitations – the ones where your presentation is lost in a string of lengthy presentations in a death by Powerpoint meeting. Let me introduce you to a disruptive new style of presentation – Ignite Presentation! Watch my 5-minute video and learn how to take 20 slides, for 15 seconds a piece, on auto advance for a powerful presentation. In only five minutes folks, that is it. Think about the amazing information you can have 10 presenters share in just one hour!

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