Envision Strategies’ Sojo Alex asks essential questions on effective communication, true transparency, her time at Mizzou and more. INDUSTRY VETERAN SHARES HER BEST ADVICE FOR DINING CHALLENGES
Julaine Kiehn
initiatives, residential life for renovations, and dining recommendations for workout menus. SA: What about communicating your staff…from management to student staff? JK: Effective communication is essential and ongoing. I strived to share information without compromising confidentiality, ensuring individuals understood their role in the big picture. Although some of the communication was indirectly related to their jobs, it helped staff members to see how various factors impacted the entire student experience. Our theme in Student Affairs was “partners with students in success”, with the goal of helping students thrive. Communication remained constant, keeping everyone informed. Some staff members I met and talked with daily. We held daily meetings, sharing updates and gathering casual input for decisions. Individual meetings occurred on a weekly or bi-weekly basis. Additionally, we had a staff advisory group that met several times a year. Staff members played a crucial role through daily interactions with students, faculty, and staff. To gain firsthand experience, I scheduled myself to work alongside staff members in their units. This allowed me to interact with customers and staff, and learn a lot. They taught me valuable insights. Communication took various forms and remained ongoing. Regular meetings with the Vice Chancellor were vital. SA: One common concern that comes up when we meet with foodservice directors is transparency in communication. How did you maintain transparency with your staff, stakeholders, and students?
By Sojo Alex Principal at Envision Strategies
In the dynamic world of foodservice, there are industry professionals who leave an indelible mark on their peers and mentees. Julaine Kiehn, a highly esteemed figure with over 40 years of experience in the field, stands out as one such luminary. Formerly the Director of Campus Dining Services at the University of Missouri until her retirement in 2018, Julaine’s passion and dedication have left an enduring impact on the industry. Throughout her illustrious career, she has garnered numerous accolades and solidified her reputation as a mentor to many aspiring foodservice professionals. Sojo Alex, Principal at Envision Strategies had the privilege of joining Julaine to discuss several topics in university dining services, including communication, KPI’s, data gathering and using actionable intelligence to drive decisions, as well as her experience during a 15-year master plan process. SA: One of the most important keys to success in any dining program is consistent communication and collaboration with campus stakeholders. How did you connect with the campus community at the University of Missouri? JK: We had many opportunities to interact with others, and I recommend taking advantage of those. For example, we collaborated with the journalism department to develop a cafe concept. We also worked with campus partners to establish a food pantry for food-insecure students. Other connections included Mizzou Rec for health-related
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