Drew and Sam Talk Training is a podcast with two pizza lifers, Sam Fauser of Fauser Consulting and Drew Helmholtz of Better than Yesterday Consulting, who have taken their talents to the internet. With over a combined 3 decades of training knowledge, listen in as Drew and Sam review books that make an impact, interview guests who value their team, and of course, talk training!
Fauser Consulting and Better Than Yesterday Consulting
One last tidbit from Drew and Sam, this time nothing to do with training but how about a little Sports Ball?
The guy's sign off during this episode. It's been a good run. "And now, the end is near, and so I face my final curtain" - Frank Sinatra
The guys get to talk to first year and first-time gold Franny winning franchisee Chris Luttrell. His brother, Travis, brought home the national Supervisor of the year hardware as well! Drew pushes Sam to the side as this goes hard into service and supervision.
The guys get to have an interesting conversation with Vice President of Operations for Five Star Pizza Company, Abby Favior. Check out how she has helped motivate her team to be the best they can be at product. Drew feels left out as Sam takes the reigns of this product focused conversation.
Sam hits Drew right in the OA nerve. Yet, amazingly with hours of show prep, they come to agreement! Sam gets into how to take an Operations Assessment and use it to improve your location WHILE achieving the labor and service goals of your organization. That's right, by chunking it down and making work small. Drew shares how this works with almost any process and the guys get into a few tangents, as normal.
The guys discuss the highs of coming home from a big corporate event. Energy, excitement, the desire to get that award on the big stage. Then tomorrow, you'll do the same thing you did before the event. Why? How can we take this bit of motivation and turn it into a change agent in our lives! First, you may need dedication, desire, and the willingness to excel. They get into the system to make this change happen and even mention the need for an accountability buddy or accountabody.
Interview schminterview, who needs em? Sam has given the floor of this odd episode over to Drew to explain his crazy idea. Lean on into the absurd hiring strategy Drew suggests. Also, don't try this at home or work! Follow the guys instructions on communicating with your labor attorney or ensuring your franchisee / franchisor wants this to be a test. The joy of the qualification to replace the interview. What will they think of next!
Drew stumbled upon a video. This means now the guys get to share their thoughts on a myriad of topics around Talent versus the Peter Principle, how many superstars should you have, and why that part-time driver is ok staying a part-time driver. Oh yeah, they also get into Narcissistic Leaders and Humble Leaders. The best part, there is a third group. Listen to find out! The video they reference is Adam Grant TED ->https://youtu.be/hPgY45xsGsU?si=DlCtiNq_l92704Wx
The guys get into discussing Weird Al, Alanis, and a certain DJ. What they're really after is your why! Why do we tell everyone how to do something and skip the why? What would it look like if we start with why instead of how? How could it change your store / team / role? See what we did there? I know it's cheesy but it is a food cost discussion or is it….
The guys discuss day one training, debating, and how training is never final. What they are trying to get at is, how do you keep the new team member once they start? How does communication effect it? How can one location have terrible turnover and another in the same company have low turnover? Hmm…could it be the leader? Could it be expectations? WARNING: Math ahead!
What do you call them? Guard rails? Expectations? The guys get into how leadership has changed over time and now time has changed over leadership. From pagers to "always on" how can you manage the way you communicate with your team and how your team communicates with you.
Drew scares Sam with his early alarm talk and goes right into a real rant of a time. That's a play on words there, IYKYK. The guys then discuss the importance using process to develop a team not for lack of trust. How you setup your expectations may lead to how your team communicates with you.
This episode has so many twists and turns that the guys feel like they've created a prog rock epic, it's so long they influenced themselves by the end (Stephen Colbert link). The guys start with the Gemini Giant and end with the Oatman, AZ Sidewinder. In between, they discuss where to find answers and how to lead to the answers.
What does Mea culpa mean and why does Drew have it? No product and service debate this time, just discipline and perfect practice. The guys get into how discipline can be a grind but creates great results and how perfect practice is needed to ensure an amazing customer experience. Both states. Wow, agreement! Also, a challenge!
Product gets us in the door, service is the difference between us and them! Sam has decided that it is time to rant. We haven't mentioned product in a few weeks and Sam was feeling the withdrawal pangs. Drew finds a way to agree and disagree at the same time because service. Maybe as you near the end, you'll pick up the leadership lesson that they're putting down.
Is it about your processes or your delivery? The guys get into change and how to make change happen. We all know that change happens every day. Even the most stubborn still change. Check out the ways the guys help to create and maintain change in your organization.
Classroom training, armed with a PowerPoint, a purpose, and a bunch of people. Yet, when we're in the in-store what do we do? We can't always schedule training so what does spontaneous training look like? Why do we miss out on those opportunities and how can we make a lasting difference? The guys get into “once you see something, say something!” Check out this episode to learn what the next steps are.
Drew has a big announcement and Sam follows up with one of his own! The guys go and dive into the way back machine. Although they start with turnaround times, this really becomes about the big picture and a new TLA, MBC. I bet you can't wait to find out what that means! Could turnaround times truly measure how you lead?
No this isn't a Devo reference. IYKYK. What's in it for them? Weather season is different for everyone. Maybe it's cold in Minnesota or hurricanes in Florida. How do you talk to your team to ensure that when the customers call, your team is there to deliver the best possible results? Oh no, it sounds like more expectations talk!
The guys get down in the weeds on this one. We learn about Drew's poor ability to communicate and how it creates a great podcast tease. How do staggered in times effect your team? How do they build their habits? How do you create a schedule that meets the customers needs without forgetting about your team? Check out this episode and let us know what you think.
The guys discuss team availability. How do you negotiate mutually beneficial results? Drew coins a new phrase that Sam even takes notes on. We would share it here but then why would you listen?
If the Lions can win, so can you! The guys start off discussing the big win by a local football team and no this isn't a repeat episode. How does alignment of the leaders translate to culture in a restaurant? The guys discuss having a leader and the importance of that whether you go family or team or the Drew & Sam hybrid. John U. Bacon would be proud as they share the added be patient with results but not with actions.
The guys open the mailbag and dive into questions from leaders. The good ol' “how do you” questions. Like, how do you get training hours when you're on a labor target? Or what happens when my team doesn't want to be trained? Drew & Sam oddly don't argue about much, you would think there would be differing opinions but no, they'll save those arguments for other episodes!
Hail to the common sense? The guys start off discussing the big win by a local football team and somehow get to discussing why a 3-compartment sink isn't common sense. Listen in as a few new terms are created. Team is not Family. Your weakest link determines your best outcome. Even the old pearl of wisdom, the importance of delegation. Did we mention that local team winning the big game? We'll try not to be so happy or obnoxious about it!
Drew shares a tale from a recent visit. What do you do when your best team members are miserable because of poor hires? How do you keep them around before they leave? What happens if they leave? The guys get into a few ways to keep your best and promote a few others to customer.
The guys discuss Drew's new phrase. They decide why should you have just a one-liner when you can have many! Like “Focus on that one pizza, that one customer, that one team member”, or “Make work small”, or Sam's top three reasons for leadership. You'll have to listen to hear that one! Drew mentions his top three ways to handle the rush and Sam takes notes, what?!
John joins the guys for a second time to discuss leadership, Navy Seals, and 10 seconds of hockey. Sam learns you can't trust everything you read on Wikipedia and Drew hopes you listen past his annual NY Rangers plug.
So much show prep that Drew gets to scare Sam. 5 steps to On-the-Job training. Could they be revised? Should they be revised? How will Sam reprint all his cards? Drew explains an updated purpose to each steps and how to ensure that the technology available to your team is used to everyone's benefit.
Drew & Sam discuss the reason, joy, or purpose behind anonymous posts on a few FB groups. Need to ask without your boss knowing? Shame on the boss. Need to vent? Shame on Drew? How'd we get there. Check it out to find out.
Do you find yourself answering the questions for your team? Even on a day off? Or on vacation? Where do you go if you haven't been told where to go? Drew & Sam get into the vast array of possibilities. Knowledge is fleeting but wisdom is forever. How you help your team know where to go to find an answer will better set them and you up for success.
It's 7:45pm, do you know if your store is closed? Sam catches Drew in a role play right out of the gate! Sure, a picture can say 1000 words, but can it get to the root of the issue? Drew & Sam get into ways to solve an issue. Once you know the root of an issue, you can identify the performance gap. Once you have the performance gap you can listen to the next episode!
Join Drew & Sam as they talk speed with 4-time Worlds Fastest Pizza Maker and Domino's franchisee Dennis Tran. Dennis shares a few theories on success and speed, Sam reminisces about an amazing judge, and Drew shares the kind words of a CEO. The only way this could be cooler is with Dunkin. Listen, you'll get the joke.
First break all the rules, what the world's greatest managers do differently by Marcus Buckingham and Curt Coffman. A manual without a fable. The guys get into this book. Drew apologizes for a far-sighted delay. Sam tries to make it all about [REDACTED]. We can't give the book away, so you'll have to listen. CHALLENGE TIME: On the next shift, ask your team do you know what is expected of you on this shift?
Sure, maybe Drew said time management, we're going to prioritize other parts of the conversation. The guys get into dealing with processes over goals. How do you eat an elephant is old fashioned? What could it be replaced by? Tomahawk steaks? You listen and we'll decide!
The guys get through a few tangents to get to the heart of the matter, real-time coaching. Sure Drew & Sam are good at it, they should be! They don't have to close, open, deal with team member issues, or more. They get into the why of it, for you and for your participants. Sam throws out a hastily made challenge because Drew does weird things. BTW, are you laughing, Jeremy Hill?
Role plays, real time coaching, and soft skills, oh my! The guys go deep into coaching and training soft skills. Sam starts it off with a leadership plea. Can you take him up on it? When and where are the best places to train? Drew explains what a coaching inception is, and Sam decides to tease the next episode!
The guys discuss setting clear expectations. We know, this comes up often, it's ok. This time it's around your management team. What if they aren't available all the time? What if they're not a level one? What if your team is hired for a role? The guys dig into this concept and tease another detailed dive into this concept.
Drew & Sam breakdown a serial shift killer. No arrests have been made but we know the culprit. Whether it's you or a team member, being negative is a great way to kill your shift. Allowing negativity breeds more negativity. They guys dive into RAS again because you see what you want to see. Just do it! That's right. Create a positive atmosphere with your team. How did it go? What were the results? Most importantly, how did the team react to it? Check out the end of the pod for the rules of this game
Massachusetts, Washington, West Virginia, Tennessee, Hawai'i, Oklahoma, Ohio, and Michigan, that's just the last 2 months. Whether its Train the Trainer, Better Visits Today, customized classes, or Better Shifts today, we've been out and about helping and supporting clients. Just do it! That's right. Do a Roles and Responsibilities with your team. How did it go? What were the results? Most importantly, how did the team react to it?
The guys get to chat with franchisee John Richards. From the COO of the largest US franchise to a growing franchisee in Central Mississippi (he graduated from Southern Mississippi, see, swing and a southern miss, that's almost funny), John has a great story and a best practice to share.
Drew and Sam get to chat with the franchisee that started the largest domino's best practice group. Gus Garcia, out of Springfield Massachusetts has a great story that includes giving away prizes that suck. Really.
The start of sportsball season is upon us and Drew reminisces about a TV show that highlights real world expectations and accountability. Will Sam follow along or blame the Lions? Can Drew go two episodes without mentioning his beloved Jets? The answers to these questions and not many more are just a click away.
Absolutely everything. The guys discuss why access to standards and the ability to ask questions is paramount to growth. Drew gets miffed because this should be a short episode. Sam finds a row of soap boxes. Drew responds with "Please, pass the suds".
The guys get distracted by golf, "borrowed" hats, football, and your lists. That's right. They discuss an alternate way to be efficient and effective. Use a tool, iNotes, OneNote, or even something like Notion. Check out Notion here-> https://www.notion.so/ Reach out to Drew & Sam. Check out the book list!
The guys talk about something that they have never discussed before. No, that's a lie. That's why the record is skipping, product rears its ugly head. Drew is blindsided by this, he shouldn't be but clearly he hasn't listened to the last few episodes like you have. Sam digs into the promise of a brand and so much more!
The guys get into more TLAs around the GPT of the chats. That's right, AI has entered the pod. OK, we mean the real artificial intelligence not the way some view the guy's intelligence. If you're interested in how CHATBOTS can help you and your team, listen and reach out. Reach out to Drew & Sam. Check out the book list! Visit trainwithbty.com Visit fauserconsult.com
The bookworms are back! Steven M. R. Covey tells about the upside of Trusting and Inspiring. Carrots and sticks are gone, or are they? Are the carrots now, or must they be, ORGANIC? Sam isn't quite sure about what the author is laying down, Drew is drinking the Kool-Aid on this one. Will the boys agree or are we back to a Product/Service type debate? Tune in and listen! I command you, or I trust you. Are you inspired? Reach out to Drew & Sam. Check out the book list!
Find yourself less than 18 minutes and listen to Drew and Sam talk about smooth jazz. No wait, they went on a tangent, no wait, they actually talked about something that will help you on today's shift! This is one you won't want to miss. Make sure you share these with your friends! Reach out to Drew & Sam. Check out the book list! Visit trainwithbty.com Visit fauserconsult.com
No, this isn't a sequel to a dog movie. Maybe it's not a return if it's the first time we've done it? It is the guys discussing how they would answer an opportunity from a listener. Check it out as the guys discover tangent after detour after semi-brilliant insight. Do you have something to “stump” the guys with? Just reach out! Maybe you'll be the next episode. Reach out to Drew & Sam. Check out the book list!
The guys have spent the last 2 weeks listening to every previous episode to give you their top 5 moments. So much show prep! Will they be serious and choose the great authors that have joined us or the drinking game? Like, follow, subscribe, and listen to find out! Reach out to Drew & Sam. Check out the book list! Visit trainwithbty.com Visit fauserconsult.com Click here for more information about ICE certification.
The guys get together for a book review, Presentation Essentials by Anne Bruce and Sardek Love. We liked the book so much, sorry spoiler alert, we asked Sardek to join us. To our surprise, he said yes! So join the three of us as we venture into how everyone is always presenting. How to create a catch phrase and where we're going to keep this book, spoiler we do like it so on a prize table near you perhaps? Reach out to Drew & Sam. Check out the book list! Visit trainwithbty.com Visit fauserconsult.com Click here for more information about ICE certification.