Media Test Kitchen

Cali BBQ Media
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Weekly

The Media Test Kitchen is where new media lives. We explore the intersection of technology and new media in the restaurant and hospitality sectors, learning how businesses are utilizing these tools to grow their business.

  1. 2d ago

    Pitch The Tide - Keegan Conrey: CEO of Decision Logic

    Keegan Conrey, CEO of Decision Logic, pitched directly to a panel of restaurant operators on Pitch The Tide, sharing how the back-office platform helps multi-unit brands manage inventory, labor, food costs, and operational data. The pitch led to a conversation about what restaurant operators actually need from their technology partners, including clearer ROI, stronger integrations, practical uses for AI, and better access to their own data. Conrey also heard firsthand how operators evaluate new technology and what can help a platform like Decision Logic stand out in an increasingly crowded restaurant tech landscape. Technology Should Give Managers Time Back – Conrey emphasized that restaurant technology should not give managers another system to spend time inside. Decision Logic is designed to quickly surface what matters so managers can take action and get back to running the restaurant. Give Operators Control of Their Data – Conrey believes restaurant groups should be able to take their Decision Logic data into tools like Claude and build the reports, dashboards, and workflows that make sense for their business instead of waiting on a software provider to build them. Know Who Your Technology Is Built For – The conversation reinforced the value of being specific about the ideal customer. Conrey explained that Decision Logic is designed for multi-unit operators, particularly growing restaurant groups that need greater visibility across locations. Episode Links Keegan Conrey LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keeganconrey/ Decision Logic LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/decisionlogic/ Decision Logic: https://decisionlogic.co/

  2. 4d ago

    Rising Tides Live: How Do You Measure Quality?

    Shawn Walchef led this Rising Tides Live  conversation focused on a question every business has to answer: How do you measure quality? Restaurant operators, entrepreneurs, and hospitality leaders shared how they define quality through consistency, customer expectations, value, relationships, and the overall experience. From asking customers what success looks like before the work begins to understanding how expectations can change from person to person, the group explored why quality can’t be defined by one standard. The group agreed that businesses need to understand what quality means to the people they serve, then build the consistency and relationships needed to deliver on those expectations. Quality Starts With Understanding Expectations – Shawn Walchef believes businesses need to define what quality actually means to their customers. Asking what success looks like before delivering a product or service can help teams focus on what matters most. Consistency Builds Trust – The group discussed how quality is often tied to delivering a consistent experience. Whether it’s food, service, content, or relationships, consistency gives customers confidence in what they can expect. Let Your Customers Help Define Quality – Quality can mean something different to every person. Instead of relying only on internal standards, businesses should listen to customers, understand what they value, and use that feedback to improve the experience. Episode Links Cali BBQ Media:https://content.calibbq.media/ Join Our Next Show:https://betheshow.media/rising-tides/ Shawn Walchef on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawnpwalchef/

  3. Aug 11

    Rising Tides Live - Your Modern CRM

    Shawn Walchef led this Rising Tides Live conversation focused on what a modern CRM should look like, where restaurant operators, entrepreneurs, and hospitality leaders shared how they manage customer relationships across their phones, email, social media, and business systems. From bringing disconnected data together and using AI to build better workflows to personalizing communication and turning customer information into meaningful action, the group shared different approaches to making their data more useful. The group agreed that a CRM is only as valuable as what you do with the information, and that better data should ultimately help businesses build stronger relationships and create better hospitality experiences. Your Data Is Only Valuable If You Use It – A CRM can hold thousands of contacts, but simply collecting information doesn’t build relationships. The real value comes from turning that data into action, whether that means following up, personalizing communication, or creating a better guest experience. The Best CRM Should Fit How You Work – Instead of forcing a business to operate around the limitations of a platform, AI is making it easier to build systems around the workflows a team already uses. That can help connect information that currently lives across email, phones, social media, and other platforms. Better Data Can Create Better Hospitality – Knowing what a guest ordered, what they like, or how they’ve interacted with your business gives teams useful context for the next interaction. The goal isn’t collecting more information. It’s using what you know to make people feel remembered and understood. Episode Links Cali BBQ Media:https://content.calibbq.media/ Join Our Next Show:https://betheshow.media/rising-tides/ Shawn Walchef on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawnpwalchef/

  4. Aug 7

    Rising Tides Live - Word of Mouth Sales & Marketing

    Shawn Walchef led this Rising Tides Live conversation on the power of word-of-mouth sales and marketing, joined by restaurant operators, entrepreneurs, and hospitality leaders who shared the experiences that turn customers into advocates. The discussion focused on creating remarkable experiences worth talking about, documenting authentic customer stories instead of manufactured case studies, and using digital storytelling to amplify real-world relationships. From community involvement and grassroots marketing to online reviews, branded experiences, and memorable acts of hospitality, the group agreed that the most effective marketing isn't something businesses buy, it's something they earn by consistently giving people a story worth sharing. Word of mouth starts with remarkable experiences. Great marketing isn't created through campaigns alone. The panel agreed that businesses earn referrals by consistently delivering experiences that people naturally want to talk about, both online and offline. Tell your story before someone else does. From smartphone videos and customer testimonials to Google reviews and social media, documenting authentic stories helps turn real customer experiences into scalable marketing that reaches far beyond a single interaction. Community creates lasting growth. Whether through local events, partnerships, networking, or simply showing up consistently, investing in relationships builds trust over time and creates advocates who continue spreading your story long after the first purchase. Episode Links Cali BBQ Media:https://content.calibbq.media/ Join Our Next Show:https://betheshow.media/rising-tides/ Shawn Walchef on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawnpwalchef/

  5. Aug 5

    Rising Tides Live - The Invisible Audience

    Iano Dovi filled in for Shawn Walchef to lead this Rising Tides Live conversation on the invisible audience every leader creates. Joined by a panel of restaurant operators, entrepreneurs, and hospitality leaders, Iano guided a discussion on how leadership extends beyond the workplace through the stories employees share with their families and friends. From creating cultures built on empathy and respect to understanding that every interaction shapes a company's reputation, the group agreed that the stories employees tell after every shift become one of the most powerful reflections of a leader's impact. Leadership Extends Beyond the Workplace — Every employee carries stories about their work home to family and friends. Those conversations shape a company's reputation just as much as customer experiences, making every interaction with team members an opportunity to build trust. Culture Is Defined by Daily Actions — Great workplace culture isn't created by mission statements or employee handbooks. It comes from treating people with empathy, respect, and consistency, especially during difficult conversations and challenging moments. Employees Become Your Strongest Advocates — When people feel supported, valued, and invested in, they naturally share those experiences with others. Positive stories from employees become powerful word-of-mouth marketing that attracts talent, strengthens communities, and reinforces a business's values. Episode Links Cali BBQ Media:https://content.calibbq.media/ Join Our Next Show:https://betheshow.media/rising-tides/ Shawn Walchef on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawnpwalchef/

  6. Jul 30

    Rising Tides Live - The Power Of Saying NO

    Scott Kleckner led this Rising Tides Live conversation on the power of saying no. Joined by Shawn Walchef and a panel of restaurant operators, entrepreneurs, and hospitality leaders, Scott guided a discussion on the difficult decisions that help leaders protect their time, values, and long-term goals. From setting stronger boundaries and using AI as a strategic thinking partner to defining a personal North Star, the group agreed that every yes comes with a cost, and the right no creates space for the opportunities that matter most. Every Yes Has a Cost — The group emphasized that every commitment requires time, attention, or energy. Learning to say no creates room for the people, projects, and priorities that matter most, both professionally and personally. A Clear North Star Makes Decisions Easier — Whether it's family, business growth, or personal values, defining what you're working toward helps filter opportunities. When an opportunity doesn't align with that vision, saying no becomes much simpler. Better Leaders Protect Their Time Intentionally — From shortening meetings and setting stronger boundaries to using AI as a strategic thought partner, the panel shared practical ways to eliminate distractions and focus on high-impact work instead of reacting to every request. Episode Links: Cali BBQ Media:https://content.calibbq.media/ Join Our Next Show:https://betheshow.media/rising-tides/ Shawn Walchef on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawnpwalchef/

  7. Jul 28

    Rising Tides Live - The Value Of Little Improvements Over Time

    Shawn Walchef led this Rising Tides Live conversation focused on the value of little improvements over time, where restaurant operators, entrepreneurs, and hospitality leaders shared how small, consistent changes create lasting results. The discussion explored improving workflows, leadership, storytelling, and business systems while embracing feedback, reducing friction, and publishing before you're ready. The group agreed that meaningful growth doesn't come from one big breakthrough but from small improvements that compound over time. Small improvements compound. The biggest gains come from making consistent 1% improvements over time rather than chasing one breakthrough or quick fix. Improve the system, not just the outcome. Whether it's restaurant operations, content creation, or leadership, reducing friction and refining your process creates lasting results. Progress requires action. Publish before you're ready, seek feedback, stay curious, and keep showing up. Consistency is what turns small wins into meaningful growth. Episode Links Cali BBQ Media:https://content.calibbq.media/ Join Our Next Show:https://betheshow.media/rising-tides/ Shawn Walchef on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawnpwalchef/

  8. Jul 23

    Rising Tides Live - How Do We Build Better Leaders in the AI Era?

    Iano Dovi led this Rising Tides Live conversation focused on building better leaders in the AI era, where restaurant operators, entrepreneurs, and hospitality leaders shared how technology is changing what leadership looks like. The discussion centered on using AI to make teams more efficient without losing the human connection, strengthening interpersonal skills and empathy, and giving emerging leaders the tools and confidence to make better decisions. From adapting communication to individual employees and challenging AI to push back on ideas to creating clearer goals and more personalized training, the group agreed that AI does not replace leadership. It raises the standard for how leaders show up, build trust, and connect with their teams. AI Should Strengthen Leadership, Not Replace It – AI can provide information, automate tasks, and improve efficiency, but it cannot build trust or inspire a team. Strong leadership still depends on human connection, empathy, and communication. Use AI to Develop Better Leaders – AI can help emerging leaders prepare for difficult conversations, learn faster, understand team members, and make more confident decisions without always relying on someone above them for answers. Turn Saved Time Into Human Connection – The value of AI is not simply getting more work done faster. Leaders can use the time AI saves to coach their teams, strengthen relationships, recognize employees, and create a better workplace culture. Episode Links:  Cali BBQ Media:https://content.calibbq.media/ Join Our Next Show:https://betheshow.media/rising-tides/ Shawn Walchef on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawnpwalchef/ Iano Dovi LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/iano-dovi/

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The Media Test Kitchen is where new media lives. We explore the intersection of technology and new media in the restaurant and hospitality sectors, learning how businesses are utilizing these tools to grow their business.

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