THE SO WHAT? WITH JOE SCHUMAKER FCSI
FCSI: the real value of this Society
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Consultants must be “ferocious learners,” says Joe Schumaker FCSI. Which is why the Society – a conduit for learning and networking, not a lead- generation tool – is perfectly placed to share, support, and inspire that mindset
JOE SCHUMAKER FCSI Based in Idaho, Joe Schumaker FCSI is the founder and CEO of FoodSpace
FURTHER DETAILS: So what do you think? Join the debate by contacting Joe:
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’m writing this as I prepare to board my flight to Vietnam, where I will be presenting to an audience of fellow FCSI members at the Asia Pacific Division’s Conference. I’m attending the event, many miles away from where I live, because I am passionate about the topic I will address: ‘Te Role of Artificial Intelligence in Hospitality’. And because I was honored to be asked by the Division to speak at the conference. But I also must reconcile this with the fact that this trip means time away from the office. And time away from billable hours on projects that, frankly, need my attention. So, the big ‘So what?’ I am grappling with this quarter is: FCSI – so what? Why do I care about
joe@myfoodspace com
FCSI? Why does it matter to me, and to my team, whom I frequently take with me to FCSI events, and encourage to become Professional members too? Well, full disclosure, it’s not because I have won a huge number of project leads through my association with the Society since I attended my first FCSI board meeting seven years ago. In truth, that was a misconception I had from the outset: that FCSI would be a lead- generating mechanism for business. Indeed, at the first FCSI board meeting I attended I clashed with another board member for suggesting that: “FCSI should create more new business for us consultants.” Te board member, someone whose friendship I now cherish and whom I respect deeply, put me in my place extremely quickly, telling me to instead, “Sit there, and listen.” It might not have felt like it at the time, but it was sound advice. Teir point was that FCSI’s real power is in its networking, and
relationship building. Tat’s something way more valuable than any lead. Te mentors and collaborators I’ve met through FCSI trump any potential leads, unquestionably.
SHARE, SUPPORT, INSPIRE – AND LEARN
Share, support, inspire
Te ‘Sharing, supporting and inspiring’ the Society offers through its events, and other channels, far exceeds the instant gratification of new business. If a lead- generation tool is all you’re after from the Society, frankly you are disconnected and missing the point. I saw the light on that quickly, and it truly opened my eyes to the potential of the Society. Our job as consultants is to be ferocious learners. I like to use the sports analogy that you should “practice like you play.” Te way you train away from the field has huge impacts on how you perform when game day comes around. FCSI
has a rich and vibrant 70-year history of helping its members to
practice (via education and learning) and play this game (taking that knowledge and those new connections into your business). You don’t get the win without the work. Te consultants who have taken FCSI the most seriously and really got the best of it have fully interacted with fellow members, thrown themselves into their education, and collaborated as much as possible. FCSI gives us a conduit to associate with like-minded people with similar aspirations for growing themselves, their careers, and their business. It’s a way for us to collaboratively push each other to success. Tat’s the beauty of FCSI. Tat’s why I’m proud to be a member and wear the badge, whichever country I’m in. Tat’s my FCSI.
FOR MORE GO TO
FCSI.ORG
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