It’s certification season here at Shamrock Company! With our new Dunkin’ business comprising five restaurants and growing, we’ve been busy getting all of our managers certified and properly trained.
Why? Because we care about our people and that care transfers over to how we impact the everyday for our guests.
“Certification is important because it shows our commitment to our values, and especially our people,” says Ali Youtz, Regional Vice President (RVP) of Operations for Shamrock Coffee. “We know when we hire and train the right way, that allows us to pay it forward.”
[impact statement] At Shamrock, we don’t just put people in positions, we set them up for success to lead the way!
Congratulations to the following individuals on their recent certifications:
- Amna Botic, Shift Leader
- Jasmine Garcia, RGM
- Liv Weaver, RGM
- Makayla Brinks, Shift Leader
- Shoshanna Yonkers, RGM
- Stacy Dekker, Shift Leader
- Whitney Hardy, RGM
Building the Foundation
Manager certification is a Dunkin’ brand standard that perfectly complements our company’s own commitment to high quality training and management. According to Ali, the certification process starts with foundational basics like “the ability to run positions with mastery.” Trainees then become subject matter experts in areas like food safety, operations, guest relations and people development.
“Our goal is to always strive to improve.”
Ali Youtz, Regional VP
“A great foundation sets us up for constant and continued development and improvement,” Ali says. This may make good business sense, but to us, the real benefit is how it enhances the on-the-job experience of our managers.
Personal Perspective
We caught up with recently certified Restaurant General Manager (RGM) Liv Weaver to hear what being certified means to her as a new hire. Liv just celebrated her first restaurant opening with the unveiling of our Dunkin’ in Otsego, MI, where she leads four other managers (all of whom will be certified).
Professional development is important to Liv, which is one reason she says she joined Shamrock. “Certification enables you to be a role model,” she further explains. “It definitely makes me feel more confident in leading my team with the proper direction.”
Prior to Otsego’s opening, Liv helped out at our Wyoming, Alpine and Whitney, MI Dunkin’ restaurants during transition. Area Director Michael McMurray shares a story that shows the immediate impact of having strong leadership in place.
“When she got in the building, she at once took charge …” he says of Liv. “It immediately changed the culture for the shift.”
And that’s the impact of one certified manager! At Shamrock, we’ve just scratched the surface — another round of manager certifications are slated for later this month. Yes, the future looks bright (and worthy of sprinkles)!