Training Articles (formerly Member Blog)

There is power in the stories we tell, especially when you understand how adults learn and the role of stories in helping that learning stick. By harnessing the power of a story, you're able to create a moment different than just what the data on a screen says. Being able to build a story that will communicate what you need it to and leave a lasting impression can be the key to transforming your next presentation. Here are two methods you can use to start developing your own suite of stories, along with tips and tricks for implementing them.

Trainers know exactly how critical it is to bring people together across diverse life experiences, viewpoints, and geography. In our efforts to develop leaders we have to be able to connect people in ways never possible before. That's where PEER Group Coaching comes in. Experience the power of peer-to-peer mentoring in my hands-on keynote session at CHART 106 Chicago Hospitality Training Conference and learn practical ways to maximize your own career and ignite those around you.

Integrating AI at work has been nothing short of a game-changer for me, transforming my approach to writing and content creation. But I have also found myself using AI in my personal life for everything from counseling to vacation planning. The major takeaway I want to convey is that AI is not going away, and if you've been hesitant to dive in, I encourage you not to wait wait any longer! Now is the time to get in there and see how it can work with you, energize you, and stretch your already considerable talents.

Talented employees who are promoted into management positions have earned a great opportunity to advance their careers, but are now faced with new challenges that require an increased emphasis on soft skills. Typical management training focuses on the technical skills, but Artificial Intelligence and simulation-based training can help bridge the gap to help new managers develop their leadership and soft skills in a fail-safe environment. Supporting employees with this type of training can help build confidence and increase retention.

In a recent survey of restaurant and foodservice workers, 58% reported being happy or extremely happy with their jobs, while 56% simultaneously felt burned out. Research also shows that hotel employees report stressors at a rate that is nearly double that of the national average. The stress employees face often spills over into customer interactions, so helping team members manage stress and stay out of the Red Zone is beneficial for employees and for business outcomes.

Who could have predicted that I, a old-school and cynical-by-nature do-it-yourselfer, would become the "AI Guy" at work? Nobody was more surprised than I was to find that AI provided me with something I have never had before in my 35-year history in hospitality training: a non-judgmental, incredibly smart, positive, supportive, articulate, and developmentally critical partner in crime. Let me tell you how two CHART conference breakouts led me down the AI path and inspired me to embark on this unexpected adventure!

Not only are rainbows commonly associated with the LGBTQ+ community, but they are also symbols of hope, love, happiness, and acceptance. When you come right down to it, these ideals represent what we are trying to achieve in training. This pride month, lead with these qualities in mind.

Frequent job changes no longer indicate poor performance or ethics; they represent a cultural shift in beliefs about advancement and career self-determination. Newer generations see their careers less like ladders and more like lattices that weave together experiences from different companies and roles to gain new skills, take on additional responsibilities, and earn higher pay. It is time to rewrite some old assumptions about career trajectories and job hopping and embrace, rather than dismiss, applicants who have made frequent career moves in the past.

Restaurant and hotel managers seem to be leaving their positions sooner than ever, and it's time to acknowledge that "the way we've always done things" is at least partially responsible. We need to evolve the way we train managers and assign responsibilities, and take a closer look at how we can help meet the needs of today's leadership. Here are three suggestions for addressing the manager shelf-life issue, so we can begin our training evolution.

The data uncovered in the recent Hospitality Training 360 Report unmistakably points towards a rising tide of tech integration featuring artificial intelligence (AI), virtual reality (VR), and gamification. With this in mind, now is the time for trainers to lay the groundwork to ensure that their team is ready to welcome these integrations. Here are 6 strategies you can implement now to prepare for a tech-driven future.

The hospitality industry, characterized by fast-paced environments, long hours, and high-pressure situations, faces unique challenges when it comes to supporting the mental health of employees. Here are five strategies that hospitality leaders can implement to advocate for mental wellness and support hospitality workers, ultimately creating healthier, more resilient workplaces.

In this hyper-competitive labor market, employee satisfaction and retention are a focal point for employers. The newly released Hospitality Training 360 Report by CHART and Opus Training shows that continuous learning and development opportunities are now considered key drivers of employee engagement and satisfaction. Here are some of the key findings and trends uncovered by the research.