Paul Damico ’86 raves about the sophisticated heater installed in the newly built and sustainable Moe’s in Williston, Vt. “If the bathroom needs more heat, it will get more heat. But if it doesn’t, then it won’t.”

Damico, president of Moe’s Southwest Grill, a subsidiary of FOCUS Brands of Atlanta, Ga., is leading his franchisees to become eco-friendly restaurateurs.

Opened in October 2009, the Williston store marks the first Moe’s franchise built to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver certification guidelines set by the U.S. Green Building Council. From the foundation to the furniture, all aspects of the property were designed to enhance sustainability. The goal doesn’t end with efficient facilities. Sustainability is so much more than LEED certification, says Damico. “It’s about your supply chain; it’s about your PR, and your culinary, and then it’s about your waste and utilities.”

To ensure all aspects of the franchise are focusing from that perspective, Damico put together a sustainability team that includes fellow JWU grads, Scott Shotter ’90 and Dan Barash ’96. The group champions everything from reducing sodium in Moe’s tortillas, to partnering with compatible companies to spark an industry change. New composting techniques are being tested at its research and development center, and no food from the center has gone into a landfill.

Older franchises are being updated with more environmentally conscious exterior and interior designs, and green options are in place for all new, transferred or sold franchises. “At the end of the day, it is [the franchisers’] investment,” Damico says, “and [eco-friendliness has] not been a tough sell.”

“We have a guiding value here at Moe’s,” he adds. “It’s a fairly simple one. Do the right thing.” Moe’s was named a Top Ten Growth Chain by Restaurant Hospitality in 2007, a Gold Award winner of the 2008 Consumer’s Choice in Chains and the next “It” brand by AOL Business in 2009.
email > pdamico@moes.com

Wrangling with a Changing Workplace
Recent economic forces and continued technological advances have had a significant impact on the workplace. Whether you’re an employee or an employer, your work environment likely has or will see some major changes predicts Theresa Murphy ’94, PHR.

Murphy, co-owner of HR Partner Advantage in Raleigh, N.C., offers insight and advice for making the most of those changes.

Flexible work options are gaining momentum as a way to save time and money. Telecommuting cuts costs in transportation, parking and office space, and puts time previously spent commuting to better use. It also reduces a company’s carbon footprint.

Outsourcing is on the rise. Hiring consultants saves money in training, operations and benefits, and contractors are likely to have access to better technology and the expertise to use it. On the down side, says Murphy, “employers might feel a lower sense of control.”

Social media is becoming increasingly popular. For employers looking to hire, networking sites like LinkedIn, which Murphy recommends as a more professional site, can lead to top talent. But job seekers need to be aggressive. “Some recruiters won’t even look at candidates with fewer than seven recommendations on their LinkedIn profile,” she notes.

Due to later retirement ages and a longer life expectancy, today’s workforce is made up of four generations — from WWII “radio babies” to Generation Y. Managing all four is a challenge. Radio babies and boomers want to be recognized for their time and experience, but generations X and Y want to be seen as equals. “Employers need to be aware of people and not manage everybody cookie cutter. That’s where they get into trouble and lose top quality talent.”
email > tmurphy@hrpartneradvantage.com

Image top: l-r: Paul Damico ’86, president, Moe’s Southwest Grill; Joel Bulger, vice president of marketing; Richard Key, vice president of operations; Allison Palestrini, field marketing manager; and Charles Dyer, franchise business consultant, are ready to take their green initiative national.

Image bottom: l-r: Theresa Murphy ’94, PHR and Mayor Ronnie Williams of Garner, N.C., at a ribbon cutting to welcome HR Partner Advantage, to the Garner Chamber of Commerce community.