presented by: Chilis Team
October 20, 2020 5:30PM - 7:30PM Central Standard Time
The restaurant industry has changed. People know more about food than ever before. It’s one of the most frequent topics throughout social media (Twitter, Instagram, Yelp, etc.). The workforce has changed too. Today’s employees want to feel a deep sense of connection with their employer’s brand as well as their community, and they’re actively seeking ways to better themselves personally and professionally.
- Learn how Chili’s Learning and Development team has created a winning strategy to meet these evolving needs. Centered on two primary objectives: Speed to Productivity and Sustained Performance.
- “Chili’s Learning” (Chili’s mobile based training program) has delivered a differentiated experience for Chili's Team Members and Guests.
- Use of interactive mobile learning has helped Team Members connect with content quickly and in a relevant and familiar way—which has positively impacted key performance metrics and business results.
Fast forward to March 2020: the COVID-19 outbreak. The restaurant industry, more than any other industry in the nation, suffers significant sales losses. And once again, the Chili’s Learning and Development team must adapt to the evolving needs of the brand. Learn how COVID-19 has been a catalyst for change—training Team Members in a new era.
Presenters:
Jason Adcox
Chili’s Learning and Development
Jason Adcox is the Director of Learning and Development for Chili’s Grill & Bar, known for burgers, ribs, fajita and ritas like no place else. Together, he and his team oversee curriculum development for all positions in the restaurant as well as brand-wide training initiatives, quarterly menu rollouts, Ops support and special projects. Overall, Jason and his team work cross-functionally to provide a best-in-class training experience that is simple, effective and designed with today’s learner in mind.
Prior to joining Chili’s in 2014, Jason spent 16 years as a retail operator and training specialist with Blockbuster Inc. During this time, he was able to combine his artistic and creative skillset with his extensive ops experience, which sparked his passion for Learning & Development.
When he’s not working his Photoshop wizardry or planning training strategies with his team, Jason enjoys spending time with his wife, Colleen, and their beautiful girls, Anna and Aubrey. In his spare time, you’ll probably find him drawing, painting, camping, reading, or playing some Call of Duty (headset and all).
His favorite Chili’s dishes? The Old Timer with Cheese of course and those Southwest Eggrolls. Yum!
Brent Sypert
Brinker People Technologies
Brent leads the People Technology team at Brinker International, responsible for core HR systems including HRIS, talent recruiting and onboarding, and learning management (LMS) and workforce scheduling.
With over 20 years’ experience spanning multiple roles in the areas of training, organizational development, technology management and communication, Brent built his career on helping people leverage technology to achieve results, streamline work and unlock potential. In addition to working on tech initiatives, Brent also thrives on developing high performing teams and helping others discover the opportunities that often result from change.
Brent has a knack for making complex technology and related concepts more relatable, and easier to understand. He takes his work very seriously but not himself—always finding ways to keep things light and fun!
Aside from work, you can find Brent catching up on his favorite YouTube channels, tinkering with smart-home gadgets and automation or taking on another home improvement project that he’s way too underqualified for and will likely result in hiring a professional to re-do it the right way.
Brent has a list of tried-and-true Chili’s faves he craves, but recently those have been eclipsed by the awesome wings and seasoned fries available exclusively from It’s Just Wings, Brinker new virtual brand.
Kelly Peterson
Brinker Events and Production Team
Kelly is the Digital Production Manager at Brinker International, where making people feel special is important. He has more than 15 years of experience in creating interactive experiences for various platforms. Kelly's focus at Brinker is to explore how technology can enhance learning to create better experiences for Team Members and Guests within the restaurant industry. He is passionate about mixed media and leveraging it to enhance learning.
Before joining Brinker, Kelly spent 10 years in the educational software industry where he worked closely with customers to provide support and guidance on assessing students in the k-12 classroom. Throughout the years, he trained educators to learn the importance of perfect practice and how assessments can drive individualized instruction.
Outside of Brinker, Kelly can be found at the baseball field watching his son play or spending time with friends and family. In his spare time, he is working on house projects, playing golf, or fine tuning the art of grilling.
And of course, working at Chili's you have to have a favorite dish. Give him the Old Timer with Cheese with a Presidenté Margarita and he is one happy dude.
When: October 20, 2020, 5:30 – 7:30 Central Standard Time
Cost: No fee
Registration: Registration is required. Click the registration button link below.
Where: Online
