Extracurricular Training

[KellyLynn01]

Hello, Toast Community!

I'm searching for input about what "extracurricular" training you offer your staff, beyond the normal requirements of ServeSafe, TAMS, etc.  Cicerone, Sommelier, BarSafe, DEI training...anything is fair game!

Moreover, do you offer this training to your entire staff, or just management? Why do you believe this training is important? 

Thank you so much for any input you can give! We're always looking for ways for our staff to learn and grow together!

[adamj]

@KellyLynn01 

Hi Kelly,

On the topic of extracurricular training for staff development, a crucial aspect of restaurant success. As you mentioned, continuous learning and growth are essential elements of a thriving business, and I wholeheartedly agree.

We firmly believe in empowering our employees through comprehensive training and fostering a culture of continuous learning. Even Toast offers a range of resources to support your training endeavors:

1. Toast University: This online platform provides a comprehensive suite of training courses on Toast POS, restaurant operations, and customer service. These courses are designed to help employees at all levels, from new hires to experienced managers, gain the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in their roles.

2. This Toast Community Hub: This vibrant online forum is a valuable resource for connecting with fellow Toast users and industry experts to share best practices, ask questions, and get feedback. One can find a wealth of information on various training topics.

3. Toast Certified Experts Program: Encourage your employees to pursue Toast certification to enhance their proficiency in using Toast POS and delivering exceptional customer service. This certification demonstrates their expertise and dedication to their craft.

In addition to these resources, consider exploring these external training options:

1. Industry-Specific Certifications through local community colleges: Encourage your staff to pursue certifications relevant to your restaurant's focus. These certifications can elevate your team's expertise and attract customers who value quality and professionalism.

3. Leadership Development: Investing in leadership training empowers your managers to effectively lead, motivate, and inspire their teams. This training can cover topics such as communication strategies, conflict resolution techniques, performance management practices, and coaching skills.

I also want to share some insights from our own experience. We believe in creating a learning culture that extends beyond management and encompasses all employees. Providing opportunities for growth and development can enhance employee engagement, boost productivity, and elevate the overall customer experience.

Here are some specific examples of how we invest in our team's growth:

1. Selling Approaches Training: We provide comprehensive training on various selling approaches to help our staff effectively communicate with customers, identify their needs, and recommend products that align with their preferences.

2. Wine and Food Education: We offer wine and food education courses to enhance our staff's knowledge of different wines and cuisines, enabling them to provide informed recommendations and elevate the dining experience for our guests.

3. Care and GiveBack Program: We have a strong Care and GiveBack program that rewards our team members for participating in community initiatives and bringing to our attention opportunities to benefit causes like access to food resource development and general food care for the community.

4. Skill Development Programs: We are committed to grooming existing employees with the skills they need to become the best versions of themselves. We offer a range of programs, from English classes to menu-costing workshops, tips and tricks for efficient ordering, and understanding a P&L.

5. Executive Leadership Coaching: We recognize the importance of providing support for our executive-level management team. Over the years, we have brought in business coaches to help them see "the trees through the forest" and gain a broader perspective amidst the day-to-day operations.

6. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People Seminars: Within our business and the businesses we consult with, we offer The 7 Habits seminars, fostering a culture of personal and professional growth.

7. Book Groups and Servant Leadership Programs: We encourage participation in book groups, particularly Ken Blanchard's servant leadership program, to promote continuous learning and inspire our team to lead with empathy and compassion.

Our core belief structure is that by creating a learning culture, we develop lifelong employees who are passionate about their work and committed to making a positive impact. While not everyone is always motivated by learning opportunities, we strive to create an environment where those who wish to improve themselves can find the support and resources they need to succeed.

We believe that fostering a culture of continuous learning is not just a good practice but an essential ingredient for restaurant success. By investing in our team's growth, we empower them to deliver exceptional service, enhance customer satisfaction, and contribute to the overall success of our business.

If you're interested in learning more about how we facilitate knowledge sharing within our team, I'd be happy to share our approach with you.

Thank you for your question, and I hope this is valuable.

[shone]

@KellyLynn01 

We offer an 8-week Leadership Workshop (1 session per week) to our shift leads, shift leads in training, managers, and managers-in-training.  Our Leadership Workshop is given by my partner/co-founder, and goes over a variety of topics intended to help our leaders be more aware of their emotions, be more grounded, and have communication strategies for conflict resolution, giving feedback, and understanding how to motivate team members in a work setting.