Understanding our reactions to change empowers us to master our behaviors. This session will teach you strategies for reducing stress and techniques for viewing change with a constructive mindset of flexibility, adaptability and resilience.

Ever wonder how Ghandi would “motivate” an employee? How Martin Luther King would “compete” for the future? Personal power in organizations increases when people begin leading from their souls rather than positions of authority – when leaders leverage external and internal power. External power (the capacity to act) is represented by confidence, competence, expertise, titles, success, money, self-esteem and recognition. Internal power (the capacity to reflect) emerges out of our inner self and our deepest values. The integration of the two reveals who you really are and your life purpose.

Life does get tornadic. And before you know it you're caught living life "reacting" to the tornado and passing it on to everyone around you. Come on! Who wants to work with that?! In this audience participation session, we'll discover what it takes to have impact when your tornados are at their worst. Michael's methods will have you laughing in the aisles and impacting your LIFE and the way you see it, live it and approach it "on purpose."

There's a conversation you need to have. You've been putting it off because you believe it won't be easy. But when you know how to Speak Strong, it's easier than you imagine. You will walk out of this session inspired to say what you need to and armed with the words to "talk tough" in a way that does not create reaction. Both emerging leaders and executives will learn the knack of effectively assertive communication.

Women in the workplace are expected to have impeccable communication, listening, and presentation skills that compel and move employees and customers to action. This workshop is designed to increase emerging leaders' self-knowledge, and gain personal mastery through the application of excellent communication and listening skills. These critical tools improve productivity, create customer loyalty, and improve bottom line profits. Learn how to deliver the tough messages. Prioritize and delegate responsibilities and get the results you need.

Joe reveals a simple, yet powerful model that teaches the four competencies necessary to build performance-enhancing trust. This session will provide practical and proven "how-tos" that can be used to create a Radical Trust that attracts and retains talent, repairs broken trust, prepares managers to better navigate change and growth, bridges generational and diversity divides and changes negative conflict into creative dialogue.

Conflict is an inevitable part of the environment we work in. If we don't deal with conflict well, we will leave the table with less than the best outcome for any of the parties involved. To be successful in today's fast-paced environment, we must learn how to make positive changes through conflict resolution with an aim to get the other party to change behavior in desirable ways and to create positive outcomes.

Explore reasons why our potential to create a vision and set direction is unlimited, yet our effectiveness to establish our vision and lead change is limited by how we think, what we do and what we say. Discover how habits are formed that limit your opportunity to see more of your potential and the potential of those you lead. Learn the tools that will create winning attitudes, confidence and extraordinary belief systems that produce consistently winning results.

Rebecca Shambaugh, author of It's Not a Glass Ceiling, It's a Sticky Floor, will drill down into the self-limiting beliefs, assumptions and behaviors - "The 7 Sticky Floors" - that often hold women back in their careers.  Address these barriers and then learn practical strategies, techniques and tools to help women leaders detach from common "sticky floors" to achieve their greatest potential at the highest levels of organizations.

To get to the C-Suite and then to become effective in that role, hard work and experience can only take a person so far. Executive presence seems like a mystery, but is actually a set of essential leadership/communication skills business leaders can learn. Suzanne Bates, executive coach, former news anchor and author of Speak like a CEO, will illustrate the CEO secrets and techniques for communicating vision, persuading others into action, commanding attention and getting results.

Understanding our reactions to change empowers us to master our behaviors. This session will teach you strategies for reducing stress and techniques for viewing change with a constructive mindset of flexibility, adaptability and resilience.

Ever wonder how Ghandi would “motivate” an employee? How Martin Luther King would “compete” for the future? Personal power in organizations increases when people begin leading from their souls rather than positions of authority – when leaders leverage external and internal power. External power (the capacity to act) is represented by confidence, competence, expertise, titles, success, money, self-esteem and recognition. Internal power (the capacity to reflect) emerges out of our inner self and our deepest values. The integration of the two reveals who you really are and your life purpose.

Women in the workplace are expected to have impeccable communication, listening, and presentation skills that compel and move employees and customers to action. This workshop is designed to increase emerging leaders' self-knowledge, and gain personal mastery through the application of excellent communication and listening skills. These critical tools improve productivity, create customer loyalty, and improve bottom line profits. Learn how to deliver the tough messages. Prioritize and delegate responsibilities and get the results you need.

Joe reveals a simple, yet powerful model that teaches the four competencies necessary to build performance-enhancing trust. This session will provide practical and proven "how-tos" that can be used to create a Radical Trust that attracts and retains talent, repairs broken trust, prepares managers to better navigate change and growth, bridges generational and diversity divides and changes negative conflict into creative dialogue.

Explore reasons why our potential to create a vision and set direction is unlimited, yet our effectiveness to establish our vision and lead change is limited by how we think, what we do and what we say. Discover how habits are formed that limit your opportunity to see more of your potential and the potential of those you lead. Learn the tools that will create winning attitudes, confidence and extraordinary belief systems that produce consistently winning results.

One of the long-standing conference favorites, this is your chance to learn from industry leaders and peers as you engage in dynamic conversations around the core competency of Visioning/Setting Direction. Choose this workshop for a great networking opportunity. Highly recommended for first-time Conference attendees and new members!

Take advantage of an opportunity to support emerging leaders in our industry - by agreeing to facilitate a table during one of our most popular conference events - the WFF Network with the Leaders session. Lead a discussion around one of the two competencies in focus at the 2008 Conference and help impact the careers of emerging leaders in all segments of the industry. Topics and additional support is provided to you well in advance of conference.
Session topic: Visioning/Setting Direction

What are the key differentiators for those who make it to the C-Suite – as well as those who stay there? In this session, Linda Pharr, MS, President and COO of Batrus Hollweg International, will unveil the ground-breaking results of the 2006/2007 WFF Executive Competency Study (conducted in partnership with Batrus Hollweg International).

The study, conducted among male and female C-Level executives in the foodservice industry and executive search firms, identified 11 core competencies – and the corresponding behaviors required – to overcome barriers that prevent women from reaching the C-Suite. Through a personal assessment and active high-level table discussions, this energizing session will help executive attendees truly grasp and understand the behaviors and identify those risk and reward opportunities that take their careers to the next level.

Understanding our reactions to change empowers us to master our behaviors. This session will teach you strategies for reducing stress and techniques for viewing change with a constructive mindset of flexibility, adaptability and resilience.

Ever wonder how Ghandi would “motivate” an employee? How Martin Luther King would “compete” for the future? Personal power in organizations increases when people begin leading from their souls rather than positions of authority – when leaders leverage external and internal power. External power (the capacity to act) is represented by confidence, competence, expertise, titles, success, money, self-esteem and recognition. Internal power (the capacity to reflect) emerges out of our inner self and our deepest values. The integration of the two reveals who you really are and your life purpose.

Life does get tornadic. And before you know it you're caught living life "reacting" to the tornado and passing it on to everyone around you. Come on! Who wants to work with that?! In this audience participation session, we'll discover what it takes to have impact when your tornados are at their worst. Michael's methods will have you laughing in the aisles and impacting your LIFE and the way you see it, live it and approach it "on purpose."

There's a conversation you need to have. You've been putting it off because you believe it won't be easy. But when you know how to Speak Strong, it's easier than you imagine. You will walk out of this session inspired to say what you need to and armed with the words to "talk tough" in a way that does not create reaction. Both emerging leaders and executives will learn the knack of effectively assertive communication.

Women in the workplace are expected to have impeccable communication, listening, and presentation skills that compel and move employees and customers to action. This workshop is designed to increase emerging leaders' self-knowledge, and gain personal mastery through the application of excellent communication and listening skills. These critical tools improve productivity, create customer loyalty, and improve bottom line profits. Learn how to deliver the tough messages. Prioritize and delegate responsibilities and get the results you need.

Joe reveals a simple, yet powerful model that teaches the four competencies necessary to build performance-enhancing trust. This session will provide practical and proven "how-tos" that can be used to create a Radical Trust that attracts and retains talent, repairs broken trust, prepares managers to better navigate change and growth, bridges generational and diversity divides and changes negative conflict into creative dialogue.

Conflict is an inevitable part of the environment we work in. If we don't deal with conflict well, we will leave the table with less than the best outcome for any of the parties involved. To be successful in today's fast-paced environment, we must learn how to make positive changes through conflict resolution with an aim to get the other party to change behavior in desirable ways and to create positive outcomes.

Explore reasons why our potential to create a vision and set direction is unlimited, yet our effectiveness to establish our vision and lead change is limited by how we think, what we do and what we say. Discover how habits are formed that limit your opportunity to see more of your potential and the potential of those you lead. Learn the tools that will create winning attitudes, confidence and extraordinary belief systems that produce consistently winning results.

According to Greg Link, "You can have all the facts and figures, all the supporting evidence, all the endorsements that you want, but if you don't command trust, you won't get anywhere." Leading at the SPEED of TRUST will help you learn pragmatic, practical, and actionable skills you can implement immediately regardless of your role in the organization. This highly interactive workshop engages executive leaders in the real work of identifying and closing the trust gaps that exist in their organizations.

In this interactive presentation, emerging leaders explore ways to build credibility, remove barriers, get buy-in for your ideas, and make a larger impact in business through understanding the mechanisms of power and influence. Use a self-assessment tool to identify your areas for development so you can walk away with a personal action plan for growth.

Gain a fresh perspective on your business while gaining skills to help you avoid information overload. The key differentiator for leaders is the ability to find new ways to link information, ideas and concepts. Barbara introduces a new kind of RADAR that will help you connect the right dots, in the right way at the right time. This interactive, dynamic program will help you understand and use both "flow" and "synchronicity" to uncover new possibilities and a new vision for yourself and your organization.

Learn ways to develop others to help the best become even better with Joy's energetic and fun presentation. Learn to use the 10 characteristics of the most admired leaders to coach, mentor and develop your team members, utilizing the various ways different people learn.

Conflict is inevitable. Anger, blame, grudges are not. Conflict is normal and occurs in every arena of life. We can't avoid conflict, but the way we deal with it will determine whether it is a destructive or constructive force. Learn guidelines and techniques for opening the lines of communication, boosting morale and fostering teamwork in conflict situations.

Multi-Unit Managers (MUMs) are effectively "Regional CEOs" - responsible for as much as $30 million in sales in their territories. So why do restaurant servers receive more training and development time each year than MUMs do? This workshop is based on brand new research with over 500 multi-unit foodservice leaders. You’ll learn the 7 stages of multi-unit leadership growth, the 4 phases of developing high-potential GMs into effective MUMs, and the 12 best practices of high-performing MUMs who build revenue-generating units, exceptional teams, and higher customer counts across their regions. Learn how to get great and stay great as multi-unit leaders. This dynamic workshop is a must for all Multi-Unit Managers as well as those tasked with developing and retaining exceptional leaders at the multi-unit level.   

In this dynamic two-part session, you will learn to develop strategies to lead more courageously and deliver greater results. Dr. Eisenman will help Emerging Executives understand how to stand firm when implementing unpopular decisions by identifying red flags, hidden influencers, and working through team challenges. Learn how to promote open communications with key stakeholders to make smarter decisions and not be blindsided in your goals.

How do you influence it? Join two of Fortune Magazine’s Most Powerful Women in Business: Indra Nooyi, PepsiCo CEO, and Claire Babrowski, Toys “R” Us EVP and COO. Kathleen Matthews, EVP Global Communications, Marriott International, will lead an intimate discussion with Indra and Claire as they share personal experiences and lessons learned on the impact of power; how they have built it and how they have effectively transferred it to new situations.

In this interactive presentation, emerging leaders explore ways to build credibility, remove barriers, get buy-in for your ideas, and make a larger impact in business through understanding the mechanisms of power and influence. Use a self-assessment tool to identify your areas for development so you can walk away with a personal action plan for growth.

Gain a fresh perspective on your business while gaining skills to help you avoid information overload. The key differentiator for leaders is the ability to find new ways to link information, ideas and concepts. Barbara introduces a new kind of RADAR that will help you connect the right dots, in the right way at the right time. This interactive, dynamic program will help you understand and use both "flow" and "synchronicity" to uncover new possibilities and a new vision for yourself and your organization.

Learn ways to develop others to help the best become even better with Joy's energetic and fun presentation. Learn to use the 10 characteristics of the most admired leaders to coach, mentor and develop your team members, utilizing the various ways different people learn.

Conflict is inevitable. Anger, blame, grudges are not. Conflict is normal and occurs in every arena of life. We can't avoid conflict, but the way we deal with it will determine whether it is a destructive or constructive force. Learn guidelines and techniques for opening the lines of communication, boosting morale and fostering teamwork in conflict situations.

Multi-Unit Managers (MUMs) are effectively "Regional CEOs" - responsible for as much as $30 million in sales in their territories. So why do restaurant servers receive more training and development time each year than MUMs do? This workshop is based on brand new research with over 500 multi-unit foodservice leaders. You’ll learn the 7 stages of multi-unit leadership growth, the 4 phases of developing high-potential GMs into effective MUMs, and the 12 best practices of high-performing MUMs who build revenue-generating units, exceptional teams, and higher customer counts across their regions. Learn how to get great and stay great as multi-unit leaders. This dynamic workshop is a must for all Multi-Unit Managers as well as those tasked with developing and retaining exceptional leaders at the multi-unit level.   

In this dynamic two-part session, you will learn to develop strategies to lead more courageously and deliver greater results. Dr. Eisenman will help Emerging Executives understand how to stand firm when implementing unpopular decisions by identifying red flags, hidden influencers, and working through team challenges. Learn how to promote open communications with key stakeholders to make smarter decisions and not be blindsided in your goals.

One of the long-standing conference favorites, this is your chance to learn from industry leaders and peers as you engage in dynamic conversations around the core competency of Tough-Mindedness. Choose this workshop for a great networking opportunity. Highly recommended for first-time Conference attendees and new members!

Take advantage of an opportunity to support emerging leaders in our industry - by agreeing to facilitate a table during one of our most popular conference events - the WFF Network with the Leaders session. Lead a discussion around one of the two competencies in focus at the 2008 Conference and help impact the careers of emerging leaders in all segments of the industry. Topics and additional support is provided to you well in advance of conference.
Session topic: Tough-Mindedness

To be a leader you have to speak like a leader, share your vision and values and get your ideas heard. This 90-minute power session led by Suzanne Hopgood will address the practical applications of "Building Influence and Collaboration" while introducing trust as a cornerstone to success. How to present the strategy, the new business venture, or an emerging idea are explored. Building on the learning from day one, we'll explore common mistakes made when presenting to the C-Suite or the Board; how best to position your idea, venture or strategy; how to create credibility; and how to establish partnerships outside of your sphere to expand your influence.

This is a networking session you do not want to miss! You'll have an opportunity to  build relationships with WFF members from your region while getting up-close and personal with our own industry legacies. In this session, you will hear real stories from real leaders on how they have taken initiative and how they have built networks. We'll chat 'unplugged' with a past WFF Chair or Trailblazer Award Winner and hear their stories, then have time for you to ask questions in this unique atmosphere. Plus, you can connect with others from your 'neck of the woods' and begin to build great relationships.  Please join us for what is certain to be a memorable session and networking opportunity.

This working session will review key financial concepts (e.g., Return on Investment, Pro forma) and teach you how to interpret and make decisions from a financial standpoint. You will also learn how to prepare a financial business strategy utilizing relevant financial information. At the end of the session, you will demonstrate greater business acumen and understand how sound strategic decisions contribute to the financial health and the success of the company you work for.

No matter how expert you are at what you do, you can’t be successful in the workplace unless you know how to negotiate.  Every day, you face situations that require using negotiation skills as a way to resolve conflict and reach agreement.  You need to negotiate with clients, colleagues and managers. Women, however, face some distinct challenges with negotiation – learn what those challenges are and how to manage them.   Don’t miss this opportunity - become empowered to negotiate for what you need to create the conditions for your career success.

One of the WFF's most popular speakers, Marilyn Sherman is back with a new workshop specifically designed with the WFF in mind. Being a success in foodservice encompasses many things: attitude, drive, compassion, willingness to step up to the plate. You will learn what it takes to succeed in this business and have an attitude of enthusiasm that is contagious back at work! Learn to energize and ignite your teams and develop Foodservice Fanatics!

You've heard keynote speakers; you've attended exciting workshops - now what? How do you put your Conference experiences to work to produce a strong ROI? This interactive, facilitated, round-table session will include industry leaders and facilitators to help you develop an actionable plan, and provide support and suggestions as you strive to achieve your next career goal. Using your Personal Learning Journal as your guide, and your Personal Development Plan as the tool, you'll walk through important Q&A sessions to help add clarity, focus and facilitate the design of that all-important timeline to help you get elevated!