Top accomplishment this year:
Building strong relationships with servers as a young manager.
What would you say you excel at over more seasoned employees?
I organize and plan catering events. I take the time to call residents, their guests or outside customers to accommodate all their party needs. In the past, catering struggled with organization skills; I have created a system from scratch to keep things running smoothly that includes making up a catering menu, scheduling servers (who I train for catered events) and assuring proper cooks are on board to assist in the food preparation.
What’s the biggest challenge you’ve had to overcome?
We have adopted a policy in our main dining room that residents’ walkers must be taken after they are seated and parked into “safety areas.” This was an extreme challenge; as you can imagine, no one enjoys their belongings taken away from them, even for short periods. We have come to a steady understanding between staff and residents that valeting walkers is for a safer dining experience.
How do you think the industry will change in the next five years? How do you think that will impact your goals and career?
I believe technology will change the industry. It will give us more shortcuts, providing accommodating information to residents on hand rather than “Let me get back to you on that.”