Donna Herbel, Founder of Blue Phoenix Learning and Co-Founder and COO at Savii, joins us to share how technology and AI empower frontline teams, preserve institutional knowledge and shape confident leaders. Drawing on decades of experience in hospitality training and leadership development, Donna highlights how organizations can turn chaos into clarity through practical strategies, people-first leadership and the right tech.

Key Takeaways:

(01:43) Understand where opportunities exist but remain untapped, focusing on improvements that can drive better outcomes.

(03:16) Use technology to manage repetitive and administrative tasks, allowing people to concentrate on work that creates a deeper impact.

(05:33) Technology delivers timely, accessible information at the point of need, enabling confident decisions and reducing reliance on memory or guesswork.

(08:10) Build confidence for employees by offering tools and systems that allow them to learn, adapt and perform without unnecessary pressure.

(10:12) Prevent the loss of valuable talent by ensuring technology supports operational processes, enabling people to focus on leadership and relationship-building skills.

(14:23) Provide leaders with just-in-time guidance and proven approaches to handle complex conversations and challenges with greater confidence.

(20:17) Capture and preserve organizational knowledge by using modern tools to document, repurpose and share the expertise of experienced individuals.

(25:51) Regularly evaluate established practices to determine what remains effective and where new approaches can drive improved efficiency and outcomes.

Resources Mentioned:

Donna Herbel

https://www.linkedin.com/in/donnaherbel/

Savii | LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/company/saviico/

Savii | Website

https://savii.ai/lets-talk/

Wisetail | Website

https://wisetail.com?utm_source=podcastplatforms&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=wise-tales-podcast

Descript

https://web.descript.com/

Thanks for listening to the “Wise Tales” podcast. Be sure to leave us a review and subscribe so you never miss an episode!

#LearningAndDevelopment #OrganizationalCulture #AIInnovation #DisruptiveInnovation #DigitalTransformation #DigitalInnovation

Audrey Benet, Director of Training at GuestCounts Hospitality, shares insights into how modern training techniques can transform learning in the hospitality space. With two decades of experience leading operations, culture and training for global brands, Audrey brings a human-centered perspective to scaling systems while prioritizing team well-being.

Audrey outlines how humor, improv and technology help make learning more effective and inclusive. She emphasizes the importance of creating safe environments where team members can fail forward, build soft skills and grow into confident leaders through practical experience and collaborative feedback.

Key Takeaways:

(02:18) Introducing game-based learning makes training more approachable and removes traditional barriers to participation.

(07:35) Interpersonal dynamics are at the core of service industries, making flexibility and human connection central to effective learning.

(09:39) Technology can support a learner-first approach by allowing individuals to absorb foundational material independently before applying it on the job.

(11:40) Simulated practice and early exposure to decision-making roles can accelerate leadership development and readiness.

(14:20) Communication skills, especially the ability to give and receive feedback, are best developed through frequent, low-stakes repetition.

(16:02) Embedding structured feedback into everyday routines helps build emotional resilience and fosters stronger workplace relationships.

(18:19) Collaborative group training formats can make even sensitive topics, like interview conduct, more memorable and participatory.

(22:03) When organizations create environments that support experimentation and recovery from mistakes, they build deeper trust among teams and strengthen cultural alignment.

Resources Mentioned:

Audrey Benet

https://www.linkedin.com/in/audreyabenet/

GuestCounts Hospitality | LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/company/guestcounts-hospitality/

GuestCounts Hospitality | Website

https://www.guestcounts.com

Wisetail | Website

https://wisetail.com?utm_source=podcastplatforms&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=wise-tales-podcast

Chart

https://www.chart.org/

Walt Disney World College of Hospitality and Culinary Arts

https://valenciacollege.edu/locations/downtown/walt-disney-world-center-for-culinary-arts-and-hospitality.php

Jeff Wirth – Interactive PlayLab

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-wirth-54028032/

Thanks for listening to the “Wise Tales” podcast. Be sure to leave us a review and subscribe so you never miss an episode!

#LearningAndDevelopment #OrganizationalCulture #AIInnovation #DisruptiveInnovation #DigitalTransformation #DigitalInnovation

In this episode, we speak to Mike Stasko, President at Sunny Street Cafe, a breakfast and lunch restaurant group headquartered in Columbus, Ohio with 22 locations across the US. Mike offers insight into how the brand scales with intention, blending consistency with adaptability to support both franchisee success and long-term growth.

Mike shares how a clear but flexible brand framework enables franchisees to remain consistent while still adapting to their local markets. He discusses how the business maintains operational simplicity while creating room for innovation, from regional menu options to evolving service models. He also explains how scalable infrastructure, culture and technology play a central role in ensuring sustainable growth across the franchise network.

Key Takeaways:

(04:14) Adapting physical formats and configurations creates efficiencies and allows for better alignment with diverse markets and site constraints.

(06:21) Prioritizing local involvement as part of early planning helps build stronger community relationships and establishes trust from the outset.

(09:20) Exploring off-peak opportunities can reveal adjacent revenue streams aligned with operational strengths.

(10:09) Mastering the delivery of complex offerings at scale requires thoughtful process design and operational discipline across all units.

(12:55) Long-term resilience is often shaped by decisions made in challenging times, particularly the ability to stay committed to promising initiatives.

(14:23) Investing in system-wide technology enables improved performance tracking, streamlined labor processes and enhanced visibility across the brand.

(16:33) A centralized training and development platform supports consistent learning, employee engagement and smoother onboarding across a growing network.

(17:10) Creating a balanced work environment with predictable hours helps improve employee retention and satisfaction.

(18:39) Establishing a culture rooted in bold thinking encourages continuous improvement and reinforces alignment across franchise operators and staff.

Resources Mentioned:

Mike Stasko

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-stasko-6240411/

Sunny Street Cafe | LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/company/sunnystreetcafe/

Sunny Street Cafe | Website

https://sunnystreetcafe.com/

Wisetail | Website

https://wisetail.com/

Toast POS

https://pos.toasttab.com/

Thanks for listening to the “Wise Tales” podcast. Be sure to leave us a review and subscribe so you never miss an episode!

#LearningAndDevelopment #OrganizationalCulture #AIInnovation #DisruptiveInnovation #DigitalTransformation #DigitalInnovation