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Huddle Trainings: What Are They & How To Make Them Effective

Christy Edwards, RDN, CD
Christy Edwards, RDN, CD | November 10, 2023

Huddle trainings have become a popular and valuable tool for enhancing team communication and competency. These trainings involve short yet highly focused meetings that are conducted on a more frequent basis.

For dining teams, these huddle trainings are typically arranged as "stand-up" meetings held in the kitchen, with the aim of covering a specific topic. The primary objective of huddle trainings is to ensure that team members remain fully engaged and maintain a clear understanding of their goals.

To make huddle trainings effective, consider the following key principles:

  • Clear Objectives: Define the purpose and goals of the huddle training. Ensure that everyone understands what's expected and what the team needs to achieve.
  • Agenda: Develop a structured agenda to guide the huddle. Include key topics, action items and resources for each discussion point.
  • Regular Schedule: Hold huddles at consistent times and intervals. Daily or weekly huddles are common, depending on the needs of the team.
  • Short & Sweet: Keep huddles short and to the point. Aim for 10-15 minutes to maintain focus and prevent team members from feeling that they're wasting time.
  • Engagement: Encourage active participation. Each team member should contribute and provide feedback.
  • Open Communication: Create an environment where team members feel comfortable sharing ideas and concerns. Encourage feedback and constructive criticism.
  • Adaptability: Be flexible and adapt the huddle format as needed. If the team's needs change, be open to adjusting the agenda and structure accordingly.
  • Documentation: Keep records of huddle discussions, dates, attendees and feedback. This documentation helps track progress and serves as a reference for future meetings.

In recognition of the immense benefits offered by huddle trainings, Martin Bros. has taken the initiative to organize a comprehensive "Year of Huddle" Program. This program consists of a variety of topics, each accompanied by specific objectives and talking points. By following this program, individuals can successfully conduct huddle trainings within their kitchen.

To access the huddle topics provided by Martin Bros. and kickstart your team's huddle trainings, simply visit the Martin Bros. customer website. There, you will find four huddle topics for each theme as well as a convenient huddle topic form that allows managers to record the date and attendees for each training.

By embracing huddle trainings and leveraging the resources provided by Martin Bros., you can foster a culture of effective communication and increased competency. Start implementing huddle trainings today and witness the positive impact it can have on your team's dynamics and productivity!

 

Questions or comments about this article? Feel free to contact us!

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