Ambitious, independently-owned pub group, Red Mist Leisure has launched a new training academy designed to develop the ‘next generation of team members and managers’ across its soon to be eight sites across Surrey and Hampshire.
Inspired by bestselling global leadership guru Simon Sinek’s thought provoking, inspirational TED talk ‘Start With Why’, the Red Mist Academy is designed to inspire growth and development within the business and will train staff about the core values of the brand and give them the key skills they need to work front or back of house. It aims to become an unparalleled training scheme, aiding staff retention and contributing to the award winning group’s success.
Managing Director Mark Robson said, “Red Mist Leisure strongly believes that talent needs to be attracted to the industry, then nurtured to be retained. Our staff are ultimately our biggest and best asset. From the moment they start, we invest time and money into all of our staff at all levels and ultimately that shines through.
'Some people fall away in the first few weeks, but those who stay remain with us for a long time. The process helps with retention and progression, and training works on many levels - you train someone well and they appreciate that, but you’ll also get their buy-in, they feel that the bar and restaurant is theirs.”
Part of the Red Mist Academy is an online training programme and all staff need to complete a number of modules even before they start working with the multi-site operator. This is then followed by an engaging and informal training half day at head office, led by Robson, HR and Marketing covering the brand’s mission, vision, values (supplier relationships, looking after its people, customer satisfaction) and gives new starters a better understanding of the business, who’s who, benefits they can expect and what the company expects from them in return.
Depending on their role, they will then be required to complete up to 15 additional modules within their first three months. Significantly, it also gives employees the opportunity to develop their skills by undertaking optional modules such as wine or coffee training so that they are better placed to progress within the company.
Once staff have completed the Red Mist Academy, they are tracked by Red Mist head office to monitor their progress via their online training record card and through their 90 day review and annual appraisal.
The Farnham-based pub company, which owns award-winning pubs across Surrey and Hampshire, was started by Robson and Mark Williams, 13 years ago.
