🎙️ Podcast Spotlight: ChatGTM Podcast S2 Ep 5: Toni Ronayne on Leadership, Fractional Roles & Community

We had the pleasure of speaking with Toni Ronayne about her journey from corporate leadership to founding her own company, The C Society. The conversation dives into the shifts, insights, and strategies shaping modern hospitality leadership.

✨ Key Themes:
• Embracing change & validation
• Early career leadership lessons
• The rise & impact of fractional leadership
• Community building & mentorship in hospitality
• Unique pressures for women in leadership
• Momentum, cross-pollination & setting up fractional leaders for success

💡 Top Takeaways:
• Hospitality leadership: Navigating dynamic change & priorities
• Fractional leadership: Essential in times of transformation
• Community building: Finding your tribe & fostering connections
• Validation & timing: Knowing when to pivot & embrace new opportunities

🕒 Episode Chapters:
• 00:00 – NRF Highlights & Introduction
• 05:57 – Early Career & Leadership Lessons
• 14:00 – Rise of Fractional Leadership
• 20:54 – Community Building & Transition to C Society
• 27:16 – Embracing Change & Validation
• 33:27 – Unique Pressures for Women in Hospitality Leadership
• 39:03 – Setting Up Fractional Leaders for Success

Toni’s insights remind us that leadership isn’t just about title, it’s about momentum, community, and impact.

#Leadership #FractionalLeadership #Hospitality #CommunityBuilding#Mentorship #CareerTransition

The conversation covers the impact of AI on the QSR industry, focusing on decision-making, operational efficiency, and staff experience. It also delves into the challenges and benefits of AI adoption, particularly in the context of product leadership and operational dynamics within the QSR industry. The conversation covers the importance of challenging AI models, the process of pivoting in product development, the future of drive-through technology, the significance of customer satisfaction, the role of customer obsession in product leadership, and the need for clarity in AI adoption. Each chapter delves into these themes, providing valuable insights and perspectives from the speakers.

Takeaways

• AI as a Decision-Making Tool
• Impact of AI on QSR Industry AI models should be challenged
• Pivoting in product development
• The future of drive-through technology
• The importance of customer satisfaction
• Customer obsession in product leadership
• The need for clarity in AI adoption

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction and Event Discussion
• 05:28 AI in QSR Industry
• 14:30 Impact of AI on QSR Staff and Operations
• 19:37 New Bottleneck in AI Adoption
• 25:06 Pivoting in Product Development
• 31:36 Customer Satisfaction and Obsession
• 40:50 AI Tools and Product Mistakes

The conversation delves into the influence of Jim Knight, the impact of culture on business success, Jim Knight's career journey and focus on culture, the power of one in sparking change, the role of leadership in organizational culture, encouraging innovation and risk-taking, the shift towards personal branding and employee engagement, and the importance of personalization in customer experience. The conversation covers Jim Knight's journey from a middle school teacher to a promoter of change and impact. It delves into the trajectory of change, resilience, and identifying key areas of change. It also explores unique experiences, lessons of gratitude, and the influence of speaking engagements.

Takeaways

• Culture as the Terroir of Business
• The Primacy of Personalization in Customer Experience Embracing change
• Fostering internal content creators

Chapters

• 00:00 The Importance of Personalization in Customer Experience
• 42:22 Creating Impact Through Change Management
• 48:21 The Hard Rock Vault
• 57:29 Speaking Engagements and Impact

In this episode, Joseph Szala discusses the concept of 'Quiet Killers' and how it relates to the challenges faced by restaurant brands. He shares insights on the patterns and frustrations that led to the development of his book, as well as the allure of bad ideas and the fallacy of the marketing funnel. Joseph emphasizes the importance of blaming systems, not people, and addresses the resistance to change in the industry. The conversation delves into the challenges of challenging beliefs, the importance of daily rituals, creating a safe space for risk-taking, collaboration and clarity, implementing frameworks and simplicity, addressing the funnel and emerging brands, prioritizing and aligning goals, the importance of digital experience, recognizing organizational health, identifying underlying issues, the desired outcome of reading Quiet Killers, key questions for leaders, and encouraging random acts of kindness.

Takeaways

• Patterns and frustrations led to the development of 'Quiet Killers'
• The allure of bad ideas and the fallacy of the marketing funnel are key challenges in the industry. Daily rituals are essential for identifying and addressing 'Quiet Killers' in business.
• Creating a safe space for risk-taking and collaboration leads to organizational health and success.

Chapters

• 00:00 Uncovering Quiet Killers
• 06:00 The Allure of Bad Ideas
• 10:52 The Marketing Funnel Fallacy
• 17:03 Blaming Systems, Not People
• 22:20 The Challenge of Challenging Beliefs
• 28:33 Prioritizing and Aligning Goals
• 36:57 Identifying Underlying Issues
• 42:44 Key Questions for Leaders

The conversation covers the journey of Bill Assyri, the owner of Wits frozen custard, from his background in the restaurant industry to the acquisition of Wits and the subsequent growth of the business. It delves into the importance of trust, teamwork, and leadership decisions, as well as the innovation in technology and the relationship with franchisees. The conversation covers the challenges and strategies of balancing technology and people in the restaurant industry, as well as the growth and expansion plans of a franchise. It delves into the importance of customer experience, staffing, culture, and the franchisee journey, along with the integration of technology and vendor selection. The discussion also highlights the significance of work ethic and success in the industry.

Takeaways

• Franchise Acquisition
• Business Growth Balancing tech and people
• Growth and expansion strategy

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction and Background
• 06:03 The Journey of Acquiring Wits
• 11:31 The Importance of Trust and Teamwork
• 19:06 Leadership Decisions and Franchisee Relations
• 24:16 Customer Experience and Branding
• 30:25 Franchisee Journey and Vision
• 37:21 Work Ethic and Success

In this episode of Chat GTM, hosts Michael Beck and Chad Horn sit down with Rich Faltot, leader of the Restaurant and Hospitality vertical at Point B , a consulting powerhouse helping iconic brands like Whataburger, Starbucks, and others transform from the inside out.

Fresh off Point B’s surprise Trailblazer Award from Whataburger, Rich shares the story behind the recognition, why Point B consultants start every engagement working inside a restaurant, and how brands can future-proof their operations as AI and automation reshape hospitality.

Whether you’re building tech for restaurants, leading transformation initiatives, or just love hearing how great teams scale with integrity — this episode delivers insight, humor, and actionable takeaways from one of the industry’s best.

👉 Meet the Point B and Inc Tank GTM teams in person at the upcoming Restaurant Finance & Development Conference in Las Vegas, November 10–12. Come say hello, swap stories, and learn how Point B is helping restaurant brands perform, scale, and evolve.

Show Notes:

Keywords: sales education, Kennesaw State University, experiential learning, ethics in sales, technology in sales, community engagement, AI in sales, workforce preparation, curriculum development, student success

Summary: On this episode, Beck and Chad have a stimulating and fun jam session with Dr, Scott Inks and Professor Brent McCulloch of Kennesaw State University. The conversation explores the innovative sales program at KSU, highlighting its evolution, curriculum, and the emphasis on ethics and experiential learning. The speakers discuss the importance of preparing students for the workforce, the role of technology and AI in sales education, and the program's commitment to community engagement. They reflect on the impact of their teaching on students' lives and the broader implications for the sales profession.

Takeaways:

• The sales program at Kennesaw State University is designed to professionalize the sales profession.
• Experiential learning, including role play, is a key component of the curriculum.
• Ethics and integrity are emphasized throughout the sales education process.
• Students are encouraged to engage with the community and give back.
• Technology, including AI, is integrated into the sales curriculum to prepare students for modern challenges.
• The program has a 100% placement rate for engaged students.
• Faculty camaraderie and support contribute to a positive learning environment.
• Students learn the importance of habits and professionalism in sales.
• The program aims to change the perception of sales as a profession.
• The future of sales education will continue to adapt to technological advancements and societal changes.

Titles

• Transforming Sales Education at Kennesaw State University
• The Future of Sales: Ethics, Technology, and Community
  

Sound Bites

• "The sales bug is real, and it catches on."
• "We teach habits that make good people."
• "This is a place to come to recruit them."
  

Chapters:

00:00Introduction and Overview of the Sales Program

02:59The Evolution of Sales Education

05:55Curriculum and Teaching Methodologies

08:49Experiential Learning and Role Play

11:46The Importance of Ethics in Sales

14:59Community Engagement and Giving Back

17:42The Role of Technology in Sales Education

20:33Preparing Students for the Workforce

23:32The Impact of AI on Sales

26:22Future Directions for the Sales Program

29:19Closing Thoughts and Reflections