Orchard’s Post

Every human is limitless in their unique way.  Their capacity to dream and set goals knows no bounds. And honestly, age is just a number, nothing more. We can observe this simple truth in the examples of: - Colonel Harland Sanders, who started franchising Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) at 65. - Sam Walton, who opened the first Walmart at 44, revolutionizing retail. - Arianna Huffington, who launched The Huffington Post at 54, becoming a media pioneer. And the list goes on… Inspirational, indeed! For these dreamers and go-getters, every year is another chapter, another chance: → To set lofty goals. → To pursue new dreams. → To redefine success. P.S. What’s your next dream? Share it below.

Today is A level exam result day in the UK. This will bring stress and anxiety to a lot of young adults. Catastrophising that their future is doomed, comparing themselves to peers and fear of bringing shame on families. Some of these people will have support networks around them, some won't. As business leaders we need to make this very clear, their future is not doomed, no matter what the result. We can reach out and help young people by providing a listening ear, guidance and finding that diamond within everyone worth polishing and shining. Suicide has affected and impacted my life. I have lost close family and friends to feeling like there's no way out. There is always a way out. Today, tensions and stress will be heightened. Be aware, be kind and be supportive of the people who are around you. Exam results do not define us. We are more than numbers and letters on a piece of paper.

This past weekend, I had the privilege of working at Nashville Oktoberfest once again, representing Nashville Soft Pretzel Co., LLC in the NSPC tent. This marks my third (or maybe fourth!) year contributing to this amazing event, and each year brings new opportunities for growth. In 2023, I transitioned to the production side, where I learned to carefully weigh fresh pretzel dough into 3 or 4 oz increments quickly and efficiently. But this year, I made it a point to learn even more. By shadowing the people who typically run other stations, I picked up new skills and became more versatile in helping out where needed. Our fearless leader, Vincent Dreffs, knows exactly where our strengths lie, and I’m grateful for the chance to expand mine. One thing that makes this team special is how dedicated we all are. A handful of Vince’s family members even fly down from Michigan to work the tent every year—that’s how much this means to us (and how wonderful of a leader he is)! We had no new faces this year, which was reassuring, as everyone knew their roles and was ready to dive back in. The experience felt like clockwork, thanks to this seasoned group of hard-working individuals including Abby Harris, Zach Anderson (BS-Guitar) and Ashley Guastella! This event allows me to hone my Process Improvement skills. Whether it’s in an office or at a festival, my ability to spot inefficiencies and step in to make things run smoother is something I take pride in. When I had a moment to rest, I’d check our stock or see if the service area needed anything. If my coworkers needed a hand, or a station was getting behind, I jumped in wherever I could. As one of our leaders pointed out, learning how to assist with other stations was a huge asset this year, and being adaptable helped the whole operation run more efficiently. I’m proud of what we accomplished, and I can’t wait for next year! 🥨🍻 #NashvilleOktoberfest #Teamwork #Leadership #ProcessImprovement #Adaptability #Tradition #ProjectManagement

How exciting! Evolving on many levels

We get to know each of the businesses leaders and learn about their history.

Yard House Best on tap 2024 in the books. Congratulations to all the bartenders that made it some of the best talents out there till next year. By all means not an easy competition pour testing, detailed recipe knowledge, beer knowledge, blind beer tasting, wine knowledge description taste profiles, along with speed and hospitality. The judging, comes down to a fraction an ounce. A lineup of beers and describing the taste profile and what type of beer it is what kind of style it is. What kind of varietal that wine is just by the smell and taste. Is it two drops of bitters or four is it a lemon or an orange ?Doing all this while lineup of judges analyzes your every move. Do you have what it takes to best on tap?

Yesterday marked a pivotal moment in my journey to becoming an accredited Executive Coach through Meyler Campbell‘s Mastered Programme as we entered the second half of our program. It’s amazing how much the depth of our discussions has changed, allowing us to delve deeper into our learning experiences. I can scarcely believe that next year we too will be graduating as the 2024 cohort did last night. What I am particularly enjoying about coaching is the focus on supporting others in finding their own paths to success. It’s not about giving advice or sharing knowledge; it’s about providing leaders with a structured way of thinking that can help break down problems and accelerate development. That said, much of what I am learning relates to my personal journey towards becoming the leader that I aspire to be. I am convinced that in a world of rapid and disruptive change, a manager’s role can no longer be to direct and decide alone—we cannot have all the right answers. Leaders will succeed by drawing out the best in their teams, who will, in turn, learn to adapt and generate fresh, innovative ideas more quickly. So, a few observations from my journey so far: - Listening is the ultimate superpower 🦸. It allows others to feel fully seen and heard while also providing us with valuable insights. It’s also incredibly difficult. - Words, 📖 even chosen in haste, often uncover underlying truths. Clarifying and exploring these phrases can help us find new paths forward. - Learning is a lifelong journey. Changing behavior is challenging, but even small steps can lead to a more significant transformation. I’m grateful to my wonderful group (my fellow Vikings) for their support and shared wisdom on this adventure: Mark Carnegie-Brown, Tim Wakefield, Dominic Ely, Eva Sarma, Sophie Kent and our leaders Keith Krasny and Catherine Devitt For more on coaching as a leader, I recommend the HBR article—see the link below in the comments. #meylercampbell #leadership #vikings

Why It Matters

<< Six Flags this week completed an $8 billion merger with rival Cedar Fair to create the largest amusement park operator in the United States. Together, they operate 42 amusement and water parks across 17 states. >> << The success of the deal will determine the future of these amusement parks, and diehard rollercoaster fans are watching carefully. Some are optimistic that the condition of Six Flags’ parks will improve. Others worry it will become more expensive to get into their favorite parks. >> https://lnkd.in/eTkYuacU