Maria Arpa MBE engages in a conversation with Cornelia Staeubli, CEO and co-founder of the renowned Ottolenghi restaurant chain. They explore the complexities of workplace dynamics from an employer's perspective, particularly focusing on the challenges of scaling a small family business from 20 to nearly 600 employees. Cornelia shares insights on the importance of communication, the need for clear processes, and the value of investing in staff development, especially in the high-pressure hospitality industry. The discussion also touches on the significance of understanding cultural differences among a diverse workforce and the necessity of addressing conflicts promptly to maintain a positive work environment. Throughout the episode, Cornelia emphasises the importance of relationships and learning from experiences, highlighting that people are the greatest asset in any business.

Key Takeaways

1. Importance of Communication: Clear communication is essential in a growing organization. It is crucial to ensure that messages are sent and received as intended, and checking back with team members can help prevent misunderstandings.

2. Addressing Issues Promptly: Conflicts and issues should be addressed immediately rather than being allowed to fester. Open discussions after service can help resolve tensions and foster a supportive work environment.

3. Investing in Training: Cutting training budgets can be detrimental to employee development and overall service quality. Investing in training helps staff feel valued and improves communication and teamwork.

4. Understanding Cultural Differences: In a diverse workplace, being aware of cultural differences in communication styles is vital. Taking a moment to consider how to approach conversations can help mitigate conflicts.

5. Valuing Relationships: Building strong relationships with employees is key to a successful business. Fostering goodwill and understanding among team members can lead to a more harmonious and productive work environment.

Related links

Website: https://mariaarpa.com/

Workplace Consultancy: https://workplacehuddle.com/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@MariaArpaMBE

Host BIO

Maria founded the Centre for Peaceful Solutions in response to the fatal shooting of a 7 year old in her neighbourhood. She developed a model of conflict resolution for violent crime using her brainchild, the Dialogue Road Map (DRM).  

Over 30 years she has mediated everything from threat to life gang disputes to high stakes business deals gone wrong, Maria empowers people to resolve conflict without reliance on experts. So she trains violent prisoners to be facilitators, leaders to be effective communicators, teenagers to be peer mediators and neighbours to be tenant listeners within their respective communities.

The DRM has applications in all aspects of life and is used for resolving conflict, repairing harm, decision making and healing at an individual and group level. It challenges people to live in harmony with their values. In 2020 Maria received an MBE from the Queen for services to mediation.

Learn More About Us: https://www.centreforpeacefulsolutions.org/