20 Dec Professional Development Program: Women Taking the Lead
The Client's Challenge
Brinker International, Inc. (NYSE: EAT) engaged Spark EQ to create, deliver and facilitate a professional development program to equip and empower approximately 50 female leaders at Brinker International (Brinker). The selected female leaders are a part of Brinker’s Women Taking the Lead program.
Brinker is one of the world’s leading casual dining restaurant companies and home of Chili’s® Grill & Bar, Maggiano’s Little Italy® and virtual brand: It’s Just Wings®. Brinker owns, operates an/or franchises more than 1,600 restaurants in 29 countries and two U.S. territories. Brinker has the pleasure of serving more than 1,000,000 guests every day by more than 100,000 team members.
“Jennifer did an amazing job facilitating, connecting with the DEI Team, and overall supporting our employee cohort. I am glad to call her a friend as an outcome of this engagement.” – T. Jones-Still, VP, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
The Solution
Spark EQ founder and executive coach, Jennifer Howell, crafted a development program for approximately 50 female leaders at Brinker International. Cohort participants attended six (6) development sessions throughout the course of the three month program. Each session built upon the previous session and included group coaching, best practices and templates.
Overview of Development Sessions:
- Session 1 – Developing Your Personal Brand
- Session 2 – Communicating Your Personal Brand
- Session 3 – Networking & Building Relationships
- Session 4 – Cultivate Confidence
- Session 5 – Increase Your Influence
- Session 6 – Raise Your Resilience to Overcome Setbacks
- Ongoing Mentorship Office Hours
“I absolutely loved Jennifer Howell as the presenter of this program. She was warm, confident and most importantly relatable. All of the topics she presented were done with storytelling, humor, examples, exercises and group sharing. The huddles were also a great idea for deeper dives. The amount of information presented was just right (not too much or too little).” – Program Participant
The Results
- Provided professional development and mentorship for the Women Taking the Lead cohort, including approximately 50 female leaders at Brinker International.
- Created a foundation for future success including skills to develop and communicate one’s personal brand, network, cultivate confidence, build resilience and increase confidence. Participants will use these skills at Brinker and throughout their careers.
- Surveyed participants and the respondents stated that they increased confidence in all six (6) competencies delivered during the program.
- Crafted and delivered six (6) workshops with tactics and exercises that were easily implemented right away.
- Provided six (6) group coaching sessions throughout the program that facilitated deeper learning and engagement.
- Provided a safe space for all participants to engage and learn.
- Reinforced Brinker’s brand, values and desire to invest in its employees.
- Strengthened community and belonging for all participants.