Viewpoint

The Benefits of Mentoring

by Bob Gershberg, CEO & Managing Partner, Wray Executive Search

Mentoring programs create partnerships between experienced leaders and newer team members, offering a wide range of benefits to both the mentor and the mentee. These programs not only enhance personal and professional growth but also create significant value for organizations. While mentoring relationships can form naturally, structured programs provide a more organized and impactful experience for all involved. Mentors guide mentees based on their expertise, helping them develop professionally and personally. Mentorship relationships can be established through networking, professional contacts, or formal mentorship programs.

Benefits for the Mentee

Mentors play a crucial role in facilitating the professional and personal development of their mentees. By helping set objectives and providing regular feedback, mentors enable individuals to stay focused on their goals and measure progress. This process also helps build skilled, effective teams within an organization. Many companies implement mentorship programs to foster employee growth, demonstrating a commitment to their employees' success and career advancement. Employees tend to favor workplaces that support professional development, as it shows they are valued.

Restaurants: Details Emerge on Thorny Issues

by John Gordon, Principal and Founder, Pacific Management Consulting Group

Through mid-October, macro conditions facing the US restaurant industry have not changed materially. We are still facing a near worldwide “pricing shock” as to our prices. Many guests view things in a 2019 framework, unfortunately. We continue to face traffic challenges generally. Prices per BLS were up about 4% last month, exceeding grocery stores’ prices. The fast food price wars continued, but to little effect (see below). The few top momentum brands continue to outperform: Texas Roadhouse, Chipotle, Cava, Wingstop. Chili’s are now beginning to catch up. Most other brands are trying extremely hard to get momentum.

Industry Wide QSR Price War Result Becoming Clearer



On October 16, Restaurant Business Online authored a report titled, “The value wars don’t appear to be making a dent in restaurant traffic”. It led off with “The value wars are apparently being fought to a standstill, at least as far as the fast food customer is concerned.”  Further, …” there is little real evidence to suggest they’ve brought customers, back at least broadly.’’ Details were that QSR traffic fell consecutively minus 2.2%, minus 3.4% and minus 4% in August. September was minus 2.5%. Sales were up 1% in June, down .5% in July, down .7% in August and up .8% in September. Data per Black Box. Revenue Management Solutions showed a lightly lower decline in traffic. They do not report sales.

"It’s okay to admit what you don’t know. It’s okay to ask for help. And it’s more than okay to listen to the people you lead–in fact, it’s essential."

—Mary Barra, CEO of General Motors

Read the latest on restaurant industry job growth from the National Restaurant Association

Restaurants added nearly 70k jobs in September

Restaurant job growth regained momentum in recent months, with September representing the largest monthly increase in more than two years.

Job growth in the restaurant industry regained momentum in recent months, with September’s payroll expansion representing the largest monthly increase in more than two years.

Eating and drinking places* added a net 69,400 jobs in September on a seasonally-adjusted basis, according to preliminary data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). That followed upward-revised gains of 29,900 jobs in July and 37,500 jobs in August.