Data-Driven Tools and Strategic Partnerships Are Cracking the Code to Restaurant Success
Incentivio
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In this episode of Data Delicacies, hosted by Arun Kumar of Incentivio, David Ganton, VP of Partnerships at 7shifts, explores the intersection of data, technology, and hospitality. They delve into the challenges of labor management in the restaurant industry and discuss how data-driven solutions are helping businesses tackle these issues, especially in the post-pandemic world. David also shares insights on building successful partnerships and fostering growth in organizations, blending both art and science in his approach.
Tackling High Turnover with Data-Driven Solutions
In the fast-paced and highly competitive restaurant industry, high employee turnover remains one of the biggest challenges for operators. According to David Ganton, VP of Partnerships at 7shifts, restaurant workers typically stay in their jobs for an average of just 110 days. This constant turnover not only disrupts operations but comes with a hefty price tag. "Replacing them costs me probably over $5k or so," Ganton explains, shedding light on the financial burden of hiring and training new staff members.
But how can restaurant operators mitigate these costs and keep their employees engaged? Ganton believes the answer lies in data-driven tools like 7shifts. "If I can keep them happy and if I can keep them engaged and make them stick around longer, they're going to improve every single metric across the board for me," he says. By using data to track employee behavior—such as punctuality, shift preferences, and engagement—restaurants can identify potential issues before they escalate.
"Just having that data on hand allows me to make some really valuable decisions and get in front of those before they ultimately become problems," Ganton adds. By leveraging these insights, managers can create a better working environment, reduce turnover, and boost overall staff satisfaction.
Learning and Leading Through Partnerships
David Ganton’s career in business partnerships is a testament to the power of learning from experience and building strong relationships. Throughout his journey, Ganton has embraced the philosophy that there’s no such thing as losing—only learning. "You either win or you learn. There’s no lose in this stuff," he reflects. In an industry filled with challenges, this mindset has helped him and his teams grow and succeed.
Ganton’s passion for partnerships shines through as he talks about his approach to overcoming obstacles and finding innovative solutions to meet customer needs. "There are going to be mistakes made along the way, and you take each of those as a learning opportunity. You pivot, you grow, you do different things," he says.
For Ganton, the key to success lies in building high-performing teams and developing programs that tackle real-world problems for customers. "Partnerships are a passion for me," he shares. "You get to do some cool stuff, build high-performing teams, and create programs that solve interesting problems." Ganton’s dedication to learning, teamwork, and creativity has been a driving force behind his success and a valuable lesson for others in the field.
Embracing Flexibility Amid Industry Consolidation
The restaurant technology landscape has been shifting toward consolidation, with more companies offering "all-in-one" solutions that integrate various tools into a single platform. However, David Ganton believes there’s a better way to approach this trend—one that prioritizes flexibility and customizability. "We play Switzerland. We work with everyone, and we believe we’ve done it correctly," Ganton says, emphasizing 7shifts' neutral stance in the market.
Instead of focusing on an all-in-one solution, 7shifts aims to partner with a wide range of technology providers, ensuring that operators can choose the best tools to fit their specific needs. "We shift the narrative from all-in-one to all-the-best," Ganton explains. "I don’t want to be misquoted or misconstrued as saying I’m against the all-in-one concept—I think it has its merits—but I don’t think everything needs to be consolidated around a point of sale."
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By focusing on specialized clusters of technology, Ganton believes restaurants can better address their unique challenges without being tied to a single platform. This strategy not only allows for greater flexibility but also enables operators to craft a customized tech stack that meets their operational needs. "What you're going to start to see over time with consolidation is specific clusters of technology that focus on one aspect of restaurant management," he says. For Ganton, this approach is key to helping operators thrive in an ever-evolving industry.
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ABOUT David Ganton
David Ganton has a diverse work experience spanning several industries. David is currently the Vice President of Partnerships at 7shifts, a team management software platform for restaurants. Prior to this, David served as the Head of Channel Partnerships at 1Password and held senior roles at Miovision, VMware, LG Electronics, Research In Motion, and Sandvine. Throughout their career, they have focused on building and managing partnerships, driving revenue growth, and developing channel programs.
David Ganton attended Wilfrid Laurier University from 2000 to 2004, where they completed an Honours Bachelor of Business Administration in the field of Business Administration. Furthermore, they also obtained a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) with a focus on Business/Managerial Economics at Wilfrid Laurier University, although the specific dates are not provided.
ABOUT DATA DELICACIES—
Data Delicacies is a weekly podcast that dives deep into the world of technology and data as it pertains to restaurants. Host Arun Kumar interviews some of the best and brightest in the industry about all things hospitality tech, artificial intelligence, and machine learning.
Produced by Incentivio & Cali BBQ Media