King’s Seafood Company

Alyssa Hernandez

Alyssa Hernandez, Leadership and Development Manager at King’s Seafood Company brings over a decade of diverse professional experience to her role. Starting as a Physical Therapist Assistant at Orange County Orthopedics, she transitioned into the restaurant industry. Her journey at King’s Seafood Company began as a Restaurant Server and eventually led her to the position of General Manager. With her extensive background, Alyssa is now focused on leadership development within the company. Her career showcases a remarkable progression, including roles in sales, supervision, and management, demonstrating her dedication to excellence and continuous growth in various fields.

In an interview with Manage HR magazine, Alyssa Hernandez shares her insights into a successful communication framework project, future organizational plans, and leadership strategies.

Could you please provide us with a brief overview of your professional roles within the various organizations you’ve been a part of?

My professional journey commenced in 2009 in the hospitality industry, where I initially took on roles associated with country clubs and banquet systems, primarily focused on private events. Over time, I transitioned to my current position at King Seafood Company, advancing from a managerial role to senior management, ultimately attaining the position of General Manager.

Recently, I made a transition into the field of Human Resources, which represents a significant development in my career. While my background predominantly lies in operations, it is my extensive operational experience and the value I place on service that steered me towards the HR domain. I now hold the role of Leadership Development Manager, where I leverage my past experiences and expertise to contribute to this aspect of our organization.

Have you identified any emerging challenges in the staff augmentation industry based on your extensive experience and journey in the industry?

In the post-COVID era, we have noticed a substantial improvement in staffing-related challenges. We are delighted to announce that our organization is currently facing minimal staffing issues, with an admirable low turnover rate and a notably low attrition rate. Although we are not currently confronting significant challenges in this aspect, our commitment to identifying and fostering talent that can excel within our organization remains steadfast.

Could you provide insights into a recent project or initiative you’ve been actively involved in, and shed light on the key process elements or technological advancements that have contributed to its success?

We have recently embarked on a significant project with the primary goal of establishing a cohesive and standardized training and development framework across all brands operating under our company’s umbrella.

"Active listening is pivotal in effective leadership. Timing is critical; there’s an appropriate moment for each aspect of leadership. Recognize the desire for excellence, guide and support individuals on their journey to greatness"

To achieve this, we have implemented a state-of-the-art, technology-based platform that serves as a common ground for all stakeholders involved. This platform has played a pivotal role in creating a standardized approach to onboarding new managers within our organization. It offers a systematic method for them to gain a comprehensive understanding of our company’s core values and expectations. Furthermore, it empowers us to monitor their progress, assess their performance, and track key metrics, such as retention rates, all through an online interface.

One of the most significant advantages of this platform lies in its capacity to facilitate seamless communication. It enables us to engage with our managers, even when they are geographically distant. This is achieved through the provision of a means to send messages, quizzes, and questions, ensuring continuous engagement, and confirming their learning and development. This innovative approach has replaced the traditional and cumbersome process of printing and distributing physical materials. It provides us with the flexibility to update and refine our training materials in real-time through the digital interface.

The results of this project have exceeded our expectations. It has not only streamlined our onboarding process for new managers but has also fostered more cohesion and consistency. The success rates and performance improvements we have witnessed underscore the benefits.

What plans and strategies do you have in place to guide your organization forward?

One of our primary strategies involves actively participating in various workshops and educational opportunities to support our crewmembers’ learning and development. These engagements enable us to remain at the forefront of service excellence, culinary trends, and the introduction of new culinary offerings. Through these activities, our aim is to equip our team with the latest industry knowledge and expertise and enrich their careers.

Simultaneously, we are dedicated to ensuring that each of our distinct brands maintains its unique identity and consistently delivers an exceptional Guest experience. Our current projects revolve around these objectives, which will enable us to progress while staying true to our company’s guiding philosophies.

Could you share your leadership strategies and the approaches you employ to drive success within your team at your organization?

In our leadership approach, we employ a multifaceted strategy to ensure the success of our team members. To begin with, we conduct one-on-one meetings, which serve as a vital channel for communication, education, and motivation, fostering a commitment to task completion. However, considering our presence in the restaurant industry, the operational aspect takes precedence.

On a daily basis, we invest significant time and effort in leading and developing our team members, closely monitoring their performance and providing timely feedback. This feedback loop is instrumental in equipping them with the necessary tools for success, underlining its pivotal role in our leadership strategy. We have implemented structured systems to facilitate this process. For instance, we have a regular cadence of one-on-one meetings scheduled weekly, ensuring consistent engagement and communication within our management teams. These systems, including our one-on-ones, have become integral to our organizational culture, serving as a testament to our commitment to excellence and the development of our team.

What would be your piece of advice to your fellow peers and colleagues in the industry?

Effectively leading and participating in development initiatives is fundamentally grounded in several key principles. First and foremost, active listening plays a pivotal role. It is essential to be an attentive and patient listener, being mindful of when and how to respond. Recognizing that timing is critical and that there is an appropriate moment for each aspect of leadership is vital.

It’s imperative to understand that individuals inherently desire to excel in their work and seek recognition for their efforts. As a leader, the responsibility lies in guiding and supporting them on their journey to achieve greatness.