MARK ROSSI
AVANTI RESTAURANT SOLUTIONS COSTA MESA, CALIFORNIA
MEGAN BLOHOWIAK SERVICE IDEAS
WOODBURY, MINNESOTA
DUSTIN BENNETT
NOLA RESTAURANT SUPPLY & DESIGN NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA
“Something we figured out in the midst of all this was the importance of having everyone in the right seat. The pandemic allowed us to totally change the game. A person who wasn’t doing perfectly in one role could thrive in another – and oh my gosh, now I see he was just in the wrong seat on
the bus.”
—Mark Rossi Avanti Restaurant Solutions
he says. “Te pandemic allowed us to totally change the game. A person who wasn’t doing perfectly in one role could thrive in another – and oh my gosh, now I see he was just in the wrong seat on the bus.” Part of the reason the firm has been able to mix-and-match personnel and positions: Rossi says he hires based not on experience in foodservice, but rather on personality and character, seeking those who are “determined, genuine, and bright. You can teach people the difference between a fryer and a combi, but you can’t teach them how to persevere.” Communication among Avanti employees became
even more important when staff began working from home. “Having regular rhythms during the work week – calls, meetings, even alone time to think – helps build good habits,” Rossi says. “We started doing all-company Zoom meetings, got into a weekly rhythm. We decided on information to be presented each time, and always tried to do a go-around to check in on how everyone was feeling and hear about positive experiences.” Rossi and the staff took advantage of the 2020 business
slowdown to boost online communication in a number of ways. One was getting the firm’s e-commerce website up to speed – something that quickly became even more important as online sales took off during the pandemic. Associates also devoted time and effort to building a robust social-media presence on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn, posting articles, reviews, funny videos, and other content. And most ambitiously, an internal team led by COO Gary Coburn and learning and development manager Nicolette Spanner created an online platform dubbed Avanti University, open to all employees as well as
48 FEDA News & Views
48 FEDA News & Views
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