Boost your leadership with a personal SWOT analysis

New WFF Chair Sarah King makes DEI her North Star | Ala. bill aims to help build female labor force | Why franchising is ideal for female entrepreneurs Created for {EMAIL} | [Web Version]( February 14, 2024 [WFF Leadership SmartBrief]( Advancing and Empowering Women Leaders [SIGN UP]( ⋅ [SHARE]( ADVERTISEMENT Women and Innovation in the Workforce [] [New WFF Chair Sarah King makes DEI her North Star]( Sarah King, senior vice president and chief people and diversity officer for Darden Restaurants and the Women's Foodservice Forum's new chair, has made diversity and inclusion an integral part of the company's culture, a strategy she says helps businesses attract and retain better talent. As WFF chair, King plans to improve generational diversity, express the value of being involved in the nonprofit and increase awareness and "authentic support" from leaders for why diversity and inclusion are important for businesses. Full Story: [Nation's Restaurant News (free registration)]( (2/13) [LinkedIn]( [X]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] [Ala. bill aims to help build female labor force]( Ala. bill aims to help build female labor force (Pixabay) The Women's Foundation of Alabama says the lack of affordable and accessible childcare is one of the reasons the state has one of the smallest female labor forces, 49th in the nation. The Alabama Childcare Tax Credit Bill will be introduced during this legislative session to give tax credits to employers and childcare providers and a fundraising tool for nonprofit childcare providers. Full Story: [WBRC-TV (Birmingham, Ala.)]( (2/7) [LinkedIn]( [X]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] [Why franchising is ideal for female entrepreneurs]( Franchising can be a valuable path to entrepreneurship for women, writes Lexi Miles Corrin, founder and CEO of WAXON Laser + Waxbar, who notes that this approach can provide autonomy and flexibility as well as support. "In a regular small business, you may have to face many challenges by yourself," Corrin writes. "In a franchise system, you may be on your own, but you shouldn't be alone." Full Story: [Forbes (tiered subscription model)]( (2/12) [LinkedIn]( [X]( [Facebook]( [Email]( NEW Idahoan® Unseasoned Tater Tumblers Our NEW Idahoan® SHREDS Tater Tumblers® Unseasoned Mix are ready to inspire with endless combinations of mix-ins, toppings, and dipping sauces. Providing the perfect combination of ease and versatility, [request your FREE sample today!]( ADVERTISEMENT: [] Career Progression: Developing Leaders [] [Get comfortable in your own identity to lead better]( La June Montgomery Tabron, the president and CEO of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, is the ninth of ten children whose father worked the third shift at the Chrysler factory to provide for his family, and she says knowing and sharing your history is essential for leaders to make connections. "It's hard to build a relationship with someone else if you're not confident and comfortable with your own story, your own identity," Montgomery Tabron says. Full Story: [Axios]( (2/8) [LinkedIn]( [X]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] [Boost your leadership with a personal SWOT analysis]( [Boost your leadership with a personal SWOT analysis]( (Ratana21/Getty Images) Turning a traditional SWOT analysis inward to focus on Self-understanding, what's going on in the World around you, the quality of relationships with Others and where your Time and Treasure lie can help you be more strategic as a leader, says brand expert Denise Lee Yohn. "Armed with this thorough analysis, you will be in a better position to identify changes you should make so that you live the life you want and achieve your goals," Yohn notes. Full Story: [SmartBrief/Leadership]( (2/12) [LinkedIn]( [X]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] Industry News & Trends [] [How restaurants can make the most of Valentine's Day]( Nearly three-fourths of those celebrating Valentine's Day will dine out or order in, according to a 2023 Popmenu survey, so restaurants need plans to attract couples, singles and groups of "palentines," writes Emily Newton. Specials should lean into a restaurant's culinary strengths, get a boost from tailored social media posts and maybe use humor, calling a meal-for-one promotion "she swiped left," for instance. Full Story: [FSR magazine]( (2/12) [LinkedIn]( [X]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] [Vibrant colors paint camera-ready, "maximalist" menus]( Pops of bright color prep dishes and drinks for social media and cater to Generation Z's penchant for "hyper-colorful, maximalist menu items," writes Mike Kostyo. While pleasing to the eye, the colors also hint at daring flavors, such as with a pink-to-brown slice of venison plated on seaweed extractions of orange, pink, purple and red at Bardea Steak in Wilmington, Del. New York's Third Kingdom offers a bright red raviolo dotted with ricotta to resemble a mushroom on a green "forest" sauce sprinkled with edible flowers, and Causwells in San Francisco serves the 30-Minute Souffle cocktail that turns to pink ombre with a foamy head when a honey blood orange cordial is poured in at the table. Full Story: [Flavor & The Menu]( (2/13) [LinkedIn]( [X]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [UK Meats are a Cut Above the Rest]( Beef, lamb, and pork produced in the UK is fully traceable from farm to fork, and our animal welfare standards are amongst the highest worldwide. You can trust the UK for a reliable supply of sustainable, grass fed, hormone free, high animal welfare meats that are unrivalled in quality and flavour. [Find out more.]( ADVERTISEMENT Featured Content Sponsored Content from New Hope Informa [Empower your future at Expo West!]( Dive into a world of natural and organic wonders at Expo West this March! Elevate your business by immersing yourself in the latest trends and products that define the industry. It's not just a trade show; it's a holistic experience designed to empower your future. Engage with industry experts, elevate your understanding of the market, and infinite potential for collaborative partnerships. [Register now!]( [] Read the latest from SmartBrief [] - [How grocery stores are expanding from food retailers to one-stop shopping destinations]( SmartBrief/Food (2/7) [] - [How eatertainment restaurants are transforming dining]( SmartBrief/Food (1/31) [] - [Top food and beverage events to keep on your radar in 2024]( SmartBrief/Food (1/22) [] DEI and Company Culture [] [DEI VP confident JetBlue will always champion diversity]( Icema Gibbs, JetBlue's founding member and vice president of corporate social responsibility & diversity, equity and inclusion, highlights the airline's pioneering diversity initiatives, including programs like Fly Like a Girl and Gateways, while also addressing racial disparities in the industry and navigating ongoing DEI challenges. "I feel very grateful that here we're still looking at diversity as part of the fabric of what makes this company great and I feel confident in saying that will never change," said Gibbs. Full Story: [Essence]( (2/7) [LinkedIn]( [X]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] [Fla. cafe's menu honors Black culinary contributions]( Pensacola, Fla., restaurant Five Sisters Blues Cafe is offering a Black History Month menu to honor chefs and innovators whose culinary influence endures today. Items on the menu include bowls of spiced boiled peanuts to recall George Washington Carver's discovery of the nut's power in soil restoration, an oyster pan roast that pays tribute to Thomas Downing, whose restaurant not only elevated the mollusks' status but also served as an Underground Railroad stop, and other dishes that celebrate James Beard-recognized chefs Leah Chase and Edna Lewis. Full Story: [Pensacola News Journal (Fla.) (tiered subscription model)]( (2/13) [LinkedIn]( [X]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] [Davidson Hospitality Group establishes DE&I Council]( Davidson Hospitality Group is expanding its diversity, equity and inclusion efforts through new programs and partnerships, including the establishment of a DE&I Council, enhanced training programs and collaboration with the collegiate National Society of Minorities in Hospitality. "I've always been a strong believer in having a team made up of those with different backgrounds and experiences, bringing their talents and skillsets to elevate what we do within the hospitality space," said Vice President of Operational Excellence Kenny Imafidon, who leads the new council. Full Story: [Lodging]( (2/8) [LinkedIn]( [X]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] Work/Life Balance [] [How CEOs can prioritize wellbeing, avoid burnout]( Last year, 1,914 chief executives stepped down while 19 died on the job, according to a report by Challenger, Gray & Christmas, underscoring the importance for leaders to understand the dangers of burnout and the need for a work-life balance, writes Stephanie Mehta, CEO and chief content officer for Mansueto Ventures. CEOs should establish daily routines and habits for activities that allow them to disconnect from work, prioritize self-care and say "no" to what can throw them off balance, Mehta writes. Full Story: [Fast Company (tiered subscription model)]( (2/12) [LinkedIn]( [X]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] [The key to better productivity could be in your dreams]( Remembering and finding meaning in your dreams the night before work can produce a sense of awe that "makes subsequent work stressors seem less daunting, bolstering resilience and productivity throughout the workday," according to Notre Dame's Mendoza College of Business researchers. Anything that brings a sense of awe gives us a larger perspective on our role in the world, which means "we're more likely to view even cumbersome tasks at work as relatively unimportant in the grand scheme of things, and therefore more achievable," writes Adi Gaskell. Full Story: [The Horizons Tracker]( (2/8) [LinkedIn]( [X]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] WFF News [] [Building psychological safety for Black women at work]( The historical context of American society and workplaces has consistently placed Black women at a disadvantage, and often without the psychological safety needed to thrive. While organizations must address broad practices and policies to eliminate biases, there is a lot individuals can do as well to help Black colleagues feel seen, heard and safe to be themselves and contribute fully. [Read more](. [LinkedIn]( [X]( [Facebook]( [Email]( LEARN MORE ABOUT the WFF: [About the WFF]( | [Join the WFF]( | [WFF Programs]( [] [] If you can't be free, be a mystery. [Rita Dove](, poet, writer, Pulitzer Prize winner February is Black History Month [LinkedIn]( [X]( [Facebook]( [Email]( SmartBrief publishes more than 200 free industry newsletters - [Browse our portfolio]( [Sign Up]( | [Update Profile]( | [Advertise with SmartBrief]( [Unsubscribe]( | [Privacy policy]( CONTACT US: [FEEDBACK](mailto:wff@smartbrief.com) | [ADVERTISE](mailto:cwarne@smartbrief.com) [SmartBrief Future]( Copyright © 2024 SmartBrief. All Rights Reserved. A division of Future US LLC Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY, 10036.