I've worked with Madeleine for a few years now and I really value my time with her. Leftfield and Margot are my family owned and run venues.

Where we were

As we were all feeling a little burnt out after a hectic few years, I felt we'd really benefit from some training and support. Madeleine and I discussed the challenges we had within the businesses and she put together a programme for us with four distinct topic sessions and a 1:1 session for each manager — a space where they could bring their own challenge or goal.

Let's just say the team had questions.

The team were initially a bit sceptical. I was asking them to spend time on Zoom, talking about work, on their days off, with a stranger! Madeleine's expertise, guidance and warmth instantly won the team over — like I knew she would.

More than skills — a chance to really hear each other

Apart from the amazing practical advice, toolkits, handouts and discussions, Madeleine gave us a chance to really listen to each other and to understand each other's challenges and strengths. We are a very close group but Madeleine brought structure to our learning — she gave us new ideas and techniques and gave us clear ways to work together. Now, as a team, we communicate better, we are far less reactive and more collaborative. We are way more supportive of one another and I can see everyone's confidence growing as they apply the learnings. There is a lot of 'as Madeleine would say…' in our discussions now.

On the hard economics of investing in people

Hospitality is financially very tough these days. Costs are through the roof, staff costs in particular — wage bills are eye watering and margins are squeezed like I have never seen before. I spent a lot of time wondering how to get the best out of our people to make the restaurants attractive to customers, to keep them coming in and to keep our businesses thriving. Allocating money for training has not felt a priority recently but we decided: if we are paying so much to employ people, let's give them the tools to be the best they can be.

When people feel valued, something shifts

Restaurants are hard work and they ask a lot of the people who show up every day to make everything happen. When you work at a pace and give so much of yourself, to know that your employer values you, supports you and invests in you really means something. It has a ripple effect.

Where we are now

I plan to keep working with Madeleine — both for myself as a Founder and for future team trainings. Personally, I feel that we all now have the tools to manage, train and motivate our people, and I have a positive and ambitious management team who are excited for the year ahead. The return on investment is already there.

Now — how do we get Madeleine to move to Edinburgh?

Rachel Chisholm, Co-Founder — Leftfield & Margot, Edinburgh