Wisking it all

ABOUT THE EPISODE In this episode, Crystal Hamilton, CEO of Knowbie, discusses her journey in the hospitality industry and the inspiration behind creating Knowbie, an educational platform designed to train restaurant and liquor retail staff. She emphasizes the importance of empowering staff through education to enhance their confidence and sales capabilities. The conversation explores the challenges of training in the restaurant industry, the significance of knowledgeable staff in improving customer experiences, and the future developments for Knowbie, including community building and integration with other learning systems. TAKEAWAYS * Knowbie is an educational platform that trains restaurant staff. * Crystal's journey in hospitality began from humble beginnings. * Education and training can significantly impact sales performance. * Knowbie's app is designed for on-the-go learning. * Empowering staff with knowledge leads to better customer interactions. * The restaurant industry faces high turnover rates, making training challenging. * Creating a culture of learning benefits all staff, not just revenue-generating roles. * Storytelling enhances the guest experience and builds credibility. * Change in restaurant operations takes time and patience. * The future of Knowbie includes community engagement and integration with existing systems. TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Inclusive Opportunities in Hospitality 05:25 "Standardizing Wine Training Essentials" 09:06 "Knowbie: Empowering Staff through Education" 11:56 Empower Employees, Increase Sales 14:46 Server Training Experiment Idea 18:41 "Trust-Building Tips for Servers" 22:06 Promoting Inclusive Employee Training 24:00 "Storytelling's Role in Wine Education" 28:25 Empowering Employees for Growth 32:35 Win a Trip to Barossa Australia 34:31 Increase Sales with Knowbie

ABOUT THE EPISODE In this episode of Wisking It All, Alistair Levine, CEO of Vine Hospitality, shares his journey into the hospitality industry, the challenges of scaling restaurants, and the importance of understanding key performance indicators (KPIs). He emphasizes the need for new restaurant owners to watch their numbers closely, empower their teams, and embrace technology to enhance hospitality. Alistair also discusses lessons learned from his family's legacy in the restaurant business and offers valuable advice for navigating the complexities of restaurant management. TAKEAWAYS * Alistair grew up in a family involved in hospitality. * Vine Hospitality operates eight restaurants in the San Francisco Bay area. * Scaling restaurants presents unique challenges compared to single-concept operations. * The first restaurant is often the hardest to establish. * Building a strong relationship with landlords is crucial for success. * Understanding KPIs is essential for managing restaurant performance. * Empowering staff leads to better guest experiences. * Technology should enhance, not detract from, hospitality. * Regularly reviewing financials is critical for profitability. * Feedback from guests is vital for continuous improvement. TIMESTAMPS 00:00 - Diverse Bay Area Restaurant Group 05:23 - Growing Up in the Restaurant Industry 07:13 - Surroundings Shape Success and Perspective 11:42 - Scaling Restaurant Management Strategy 15:43 - Mitigating Risk in New Ventures 16:55 - Realistic Approach to Business Growth 22:41 - Key Restaurant Performance Metrics" 24:19 - Rising Sales, Declining Guests Warning 28:43 - Balancing Finances and Hospitality 31:57 - Efficiency Through Technology in Industry 34:07 - Enhancing Hospitality Through Integration" 38:19 - Consumer Feedback Drives Tech Adaptability 40:23 - Q's Targeted Customer Strategy 43:34 - Empower Teams for Business Success

In this episode, Brock Weeks, founder and CEO of Savi, discusses the innovative technology behind Savi, a cloud-based video intelligence platform designed for multi-unit restaurants and retailers. He shares his journey into the restaurant industry, the challenges faced during the early development of Savi, and the importance of understanding customer experiences through video data. Brock emphasizes the need for personal engagement in hospitality, the future of AI in the industry, and how technology can enhance rather than replace human interactions. TAKEAWAYS * Savi helps operators understand the moments driving results. * AI can structure data and provide insight. * The technology wasn't ready yet for Savi. * We need to be able to point back to the root cause. * We drop ship a little device for installation. * The data is not stored on site, it's instant. * AI allows you to gain insight extremely quick. * We need to make sure it's easy to normalize data. * Technology is abstracting away the mundane. * We need to keep the human element in hospitality. TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Introduction to Savi and Brock Weeks 02:59 Understanding Savi's Purpose and Technology 05:56 Brock's Journey to Founding Savi 08:58 Challenges in Developing Savi's Technology 11:53 Onboarding Process for Clients 14:51 Customer Experience with Savi's Technology 22:30 Introduction to Savi and Its Value 23:00 Data Reporting and Customer Experience 24:44 Rethinking Data Display for Better Outcomes 25:38 AI's Role in Enhancing Reporting 26:25 Unexpected Uses of Savi by Operators 27:34 Coaching vs. Policing in Hospitality 28:28 Cultivating Talent in the Hospitality Industry 30:29 Staying Connected to Frontline Staff 32:27 The Importance of Listening to Customers 36:19 Future Trends in Hospitality Tech 38:56 The Human Element in Technology 43:14 Leveraging AI for Efficiency 46:10 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

ABOUT THE EPISODE In this episode of Whisking It All, Angelo Esposito interviews Anthony Presley, the Chief Technology Officer at CBS NorthStar and managing partner at TimeForge Labor. They discuss Anthony's journey into the restaurant tech world, the importance of labor management, and the evolution of POS systems. Anthony shares insights on how to start a tech venture without a background, the significance of prototyping, and the common mistakes restaurants make when choosing tech solutions. In this episode, you’ll hear Angelo share stories from his early entrepreneurial days, candid advice for non-technical founders looking to break into hospitality tech, and real-world lessons learned from growing two companies that have had to evolve with the ever-changing needs of the restaurant industry. The discussion touches on everything from rapid prototyping with new no-code tools, to the importance of prioritizing people and service over shiny features, down to the nuts and bolts of selecting the right POS and labor solutions. TAKEAWAYS * Anthony Presley has extensive experience in both hospitality and technology. * TimeForge focuses on labor management, helping restaurants find and retain qualified staff. * Prototyping tools and AI can significantly aid in developing tech solutions. * Simplicity in tech solutions is crucial for effective business operations. * Customer feedback is essential for product development and improvement. * Partnerships and reseller channels can drive growth for tech companies. * The restaurant tech landscape has evolved significantly over the past 30 years. * Labor management tools are critical for compliance and efficiency in restaurants. * Choosing the right POS system is vital for restaurant operations. * Data utilization can enhance customer experience and operational efficiency. TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Labor Challenges and Market Positioning 05:16 Questioning Purpose and Growth 08:15 "Validate Ideas Through Neutral Feedback" 10:26 Prototyping Tools for MVP Development 13:35 Gaining First Customers Insights 19:29 "Unchanged Restaurant Service Model" 21:49 Onboarding and Support Excellence 23:16 Integrating HubSpot's Full Potential 27:01 Labor and POS: Restaurant Tech Priorities 32:37 "Forecasting Needs in Small QSRs" 34:45 POS System Add-Ons Explained 37:09 "Prioritizing Hyperlocal Recruitment Needs" 41:49 Lineup AI's Journey and Closure 45:56 Verify Before Trusting Systems 49:32 POS System Offline Functionality Concerns 53:28 Enhancing Dining Experience with Reservations 55:20 Gamifying Brand Collaborations 57:34 Promotional Spotlight & Predictions

ABOUT THE EPISODE In this episode, Christopher McFadden, founder and career coach at the McFadden Group, shares his journey through the hospitality industry, his experiences as a sommelier, and the importance of emotional intelligence in career development. He discusses the challenges faced by hospitality professionals, the significance of creating memorable guest experiences, and the impact of COVID-19 on the industry. Christopher emphasizes the need for happy staff and the importance of personal growth and clarity in achieving success in hospitality. TAKEAWAYS * Christopher McFadden is the founder and career coach at the McFadden Group. * He emphasizes the importance of emotional intelligence in hospitality careers. * Christopher's journey began in retail and evolved into a passion for hospitality. * He became a sommelier and highlights the challenges of the profession. * Advice for aspiring sommeliers includes understanding the business and managing alcohol consumption. * The McFadden Group focuses on career coaching and personal development. * Christopher believes in putting staff first to create a positive work environment. * He shares insights on creating memorable guest experiences in hospitality. * The importance of goal setting for staff to enhance their careers. * Christopher's tagline for his company is 'Building people, not positions.' TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Early Retail Career Influence 04:39 From Acting to Wine Passion 09:14 Advice for Aspiring Sommeliers 11:24 Wine Expertise without Tasting 14:33 Hands-On Business Management Insights 18:07 Creating Memories Through Hospitality 22:49 Supporting Local Wine Producers 24:01 Collaborative Wine Program Success 29:34 Staff Wine Training Strategies 31:07 "Maximizing 'By the Glass' Program" 34:47 "Building Restaurant Leadership Skills" 37:33 "Aligning Personal and Professional Growth" 42:57 Happy Staff, Stronger Business Model 45:25 "Prioritizing Personalized Goal Setting" 48:15 "Building People, Elevating Performance" 50:04 Explore WISK: Book a Demo