TRAINING DAYS

After the flurry of December Menlo Park has settled down a bit, providing time for extensive training. Beginning with the leadership staff, each team member will go through training modules specific to their current positions. I firmly believe that leadership will be the catalyst for any change we hope to achieve here at Menlo, so I'm pouring my attention into this positive, motivated, but fledgling group of potential leaders.

I am requiring each individual to complete at least six full training modules. They will begin by watching a DVD specific to their area while learning from a pamphlet as well. Using this technique, I hope that the team learns that Chick-fil-A has very specific standards and procedures that everyone in the Company must consistently follow. Establishing correct standards and procedures will help remove the personal opinions and preferences that currently preside over too many activities. After watching the training modules, the leadership will move to the hands-on portion of their training where I will spend time teaching them, from the Chick-fil-A pamphlets, how to perform their tasks. They will then replicate what I have done and repeat the process until comfortable. The final step in their training will be for them to turn around and teach me what they have just learned. This not only reassures me that they have grasped the training, but helps prepare them to eventually teach others.

We're excited about the new changes that will promote consistent high performance here at Menlo!