Effective communication and collaboration are essential for success in college and university foodservice operations. While it might be easy to slip into complacency over time, developing and maintaining a proactive communication plan will aid in avoiding problems created by passive or reactive approaches to engagement.
Transparency Among Foodservice Leadership
As a contract administrator, you may feel as though you sometimes lack the necessary information to make informed decisions. Effective collaboration with your foodservice supplier requires a shift from a purely transactional relationship to a true partnership built on trust. Sharing timely and relevant information, aligning strategic goals, and investing appropriate resources are pivotal. This collaboration can lead to innovative solutions centered around affordability options, technological advancements within your program, or even facility upgrades. This partnership can also provide increased revenues for both parties and enhanced student and faculty satisfaction with your dining service. This transparency is not just for contract operating partnerships. These same core principles apply to self-operated institutions to create a healthy circle of communication and trust.
Connecting Campus Dining with the Campus Community
To strengthen your campus dining’s connection with the community, it’s crucial to prioritize authenticity, shared values, and transparency. Effective communication strategies that align with student interests enhance student life, and implementing consistent communication solutions also informs the community about dining strategies to build a stronger brand. Simple to use tools like the enForm survey tool from e360 can help in collecting and responding directly to student’s experience. Other initiatives might include annual marketing and communication plans intended to focus on two-way engagement, as well as internal communication plans, highlighting community involvement.
Collaborations and Partnerships with Campus Constituencies
Building sustainable two-way relationships with key stakeholders is a vital component for the success of your campus dining service. Leveraging educational programs, such as partnering with nutrition departments or student health services, can introduce healthy initiatives. Collaborate with university HR and academic departments to turn dining jobs into educational experiences. Engage student bodies through strategic planning with Student Government and dining committees, incorporating their input in decision-making processes. An effective next step would engage student candidates for a Mystery Shopper program, and equipping them to participate in regular dining audits, such as the e360 Dining Experience (DE) Audit app.
What’s Next?
Build a proactive communication plan with Envision Strategies! By focusing on intentional collaboration through a communication plan, your program will reap a myriad of benefits, from building stronger ties with your contract administrator, to engaging more effectively with your campus community.
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Envision360 is a subscription-based program that provides the custom tools and resources you need to measure and self-monitor your Dining Services program. If you want to learn how e360 can help optimize and improve your program, visit env360.net, email [email protected] or call us at 720.458.6480.
