VINTON–The Vinton Area Chamber of Commerce and Domino’s Pizza joined forces for a seminar on “Company Culture: Attracting and Retaining Great Talent.” The luncheon meeting was held at Woodland Place inVinton on March 9, free and open to the public. Pizza was served.
About 40 business owners or management level staff attended the meeting, ranging from urgent care businesses to utility companies to fast food restaurants and banks.
The program was presented by Allison Shaw who with her husband Kevin owns nine Domino’s franchises in the Roanoke and New River Valleys and West Virginia. Her purpose was to advise businesses experiencing staffing issues with strategies her company has developed.
Shaw first asked participants to stand and identify themselves and their business and then to identify what staffing problems they are experiencing. Most answered in some form or fashion—“building the next generation of employees.”
Many explained that with Baby Boomers retiring or soon to retire that years of experiencing are walking out the door with them. Often it is difficult to find and motivate new employees in an ever-changing workforce, especially when there are financial constraints in running and profiting from a business.
A frequently voiced frustration was that “people don’t seem to want to work.”
Shaw gave some advice that her company has developed along those lines—precisely “getting people to want to work,” even those who sometimes have unrealistic expectations.
Dr. Richard Turner, principal of William Byrd High School, said that those are the issues schools are now trying to address in helping to create a workforce to fit modern times.
Some of the Domino’s methods involve “hire the smile”—put employees in management with positive attitudes. Design training so that employees find “something to love” about the business—or find their passion elsewhere.
Shaw told the crowd that companies who become involved with the community and community service are often likely to keep their employees engaged.
Her company is clear on their expectations that employees are to treat other staff members and their customers with kindness. They try to factor some fun into working in their business—outings, fundraisers, family events, birthday recognitions.
Shaw said that research shows that employees tend to stay longer when they feel they are important to the business—when they feel appreciated in even simple ways.
New employees sometimes feel intimidated or overwhelmed if the firm is so busy there isn’t time for proper training, or if there is technology employees need to use but have trouble mastering.
Shaw said that Domino’s prepares a welcoming packet for all new employees. They have training videos for new workers to highlight procedures and expectations.
The presentation was very informative and very well-received by those who attended.
More information on Domino’s best practices or on scheduling Shaw as a speaker are available online at ashaw@dominosnrv.com or by calling 540-260-3222.
The Vinton Domino’s is located on Washington Avenue past Northwest Hardware.
