How to Incorporate Professional Development into Your Office

According to the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), “Employee development is almost universally recognized as a strategic tool for an organization's continuing growth, productivity and ability to retain valuable employees.” When your employees are learning and growing, educating themselves day after day, the company as a whole grows, too.

There’s many additional reasons for a company to concern itself with the professional development of its employees. For instance, when a company cares about career development, it is more likely to notice upcoming changes in technology, work environment changes, social and demographic trends, and the upcoming needs for a variety of different kinds of jobs. For the employee, there’s a number of benefits as well. Employees feel more engaged when they recognize that their employer is concerned about their well-being. When employees know that the company they work for actually wants them to go after their individual career goals and, even more, provides them with ways to reach those goals, morale, productivity, and motivation is improved organization-wide. So, how can a company begin incorporating professional development into the office?

1. Determine the employee development budget

How much of the company’s resources can be devoted to professional development? Once this question is answered, so can the remaining questions.

2. Determine which skills are the priority 

Try developing a system for this step. Have a brainstorming session and write down all the different skills that come up in the session. Have a record on file; later, you’ll be able to track which skills you’ve been building and which could use more attention.

3. Plan for development that meets both the employees’ goals and the mission of the company

SHRM states, “Recognize and use the departmental goals and objectives as a basis for developing employees.” When your company does that, it’s a win-win situation.

4. Determine which tools/resources your company will use for development purposes 

There’s a number of different options you can pursue. Here’s the short list:
• In-service training
• Tuition reimbursement programs
• Webinars
• Seminars
• Cross-training
• Mentoring
• Job rotation
• Internships

Depending on the type of professional development that your company chooses to incorporate, you’ll need to consider a number of additional questions. For instance, if you decide to host a seminar, where will you have the event? We answered this question in our latest blog post, “10 Questions to Ask When Choosing a Business Venue.” Check it out here. Here at the Delafield Brewhaus, we have private dining options available for business lunches, meetings, seminars, conferences, and more. The Brewhaus offers a full range of services to make an event like a professional development seminar successful. Learn more here.

5. Monitor your employees’ continuing performance to evaluate and refine future professional development opportunities. 

Incorporating professional development in the office is not a one-time thing. For it to be effective, it needs to happen throughout the year, month after month. Keep improving with each professional development opportunity by taking notes, monitoring differences, and evaluating the results. There’s always opportunity for growth – it’s just easier to find when you’re watching for it!

If you’re ready to plan a professional development event for your company, consider Delafield Brewhaus for your business event venue. Get in touch with us by calling 262-646-7821.

Lake Country Beer and Wine Festival

Be the change you want to see in the world. Gandhi said that, and it is good advice. Great advice, really -- especially if your efforts result in a huge beer-and-wine party at a hotel with a water park built into it. Okay, maybe not exactly what Gandhi had in mind, but it’s still a great idea.

It all started with one local couple  who couldn’t happily attend either beer or wine tastings together because he likes beer and she likes wine. Rather than give up, Andy Roncke started his own festival. The Lake Country Beer and Wine Festival has something for both camps, plus live music from the Rhythm Kings.

On September 30, 2016, you can join the Delafield Brewhaus and thirteen other breweries, plus thirteen wineries at the Country Springs Hotel in Pewaukee for a celebration of fermentation. $45 will buy you unlimited tastings from all the featured community partners, a souvenir tasting glass, live entertainment, and food to be served from 8-9p.m.

Plus, this event has a heart. We are coming into the season of giving and counting our blessings, so please bring non-perishable food items to donate to the Food Pantry of Waukesha County. For every item you bring, you will get a raffle ticket for beer-and-wine giveaways, which are drawn from 6-11 p.m.

Single advance tickets are $45 and are available here, and sleepover discounts are available, just mention the event when booking your rooms. We are ready to have a great time for very worthy cause.

5 Tips for Surviving the Brewhaus Oktoberfest

Oktoberfest is fast approaching, and if you’ve been with us in years past, you know that we take the gemutlicheit very seriously. The beer flows from morning until night, a live polka band plays on our patio and everywhere -- I mean everywhere -- you look, our guests are celebrating. Lederhosen, dirndls, those beer-drinking hats and steins from all over are just a few of the things you’ll see at our party. We also offer up traditional German fare to help everybody power through this boozy bash.

When I went to WhiskeyFest in Chicago, I did my homework first. Of course I studied the vendors that would be there, and the styles they’d be bringing. More importantly, I also asked everybody I knew professionally how to stay sober at a marathon drinking event. Then, for good measure, I studied the Russians. Here are a few tips to help keep you from being “that guy” at the party.

1. Get a good night’s sleep before the party, and be mindful of your nutrition in the days leading up to Oktoberfest.
2. When you get to the Brewhaus, put down a base layer of fat in your stomach. I learned this one from the Russians, and can endorse it as helpful. Eating something fatty will slow the rate at which your body absorbs alcohol. The Russians recommend drinking a raw egg, which I do not recommend, but perhaps a serving of cheese curds, or french fries with cheese sauce would be a good place to start.
3. Hydrate. I can’t say this one enough. Feather in a glass of water every couple of drinks, especially once you get a few beers in and all you want is more beer.
4. Move your body. Circulating at a party is a good way to monitor your motor skills, and fresh air is a great friend to have.
5. Keep eating. This is the best way I know to stay on top of your buzz.

Here’s a little more free advice, because I care: If you’re drinking, plan a ride home. All we want is to show you a good time and to see you again.

10 Questions to Ask When Choosing a Business Venue

When planning a business event, it can seem like your to-do list is never ending. From developing the preliminary agenda to sending out invitations to key participants, many details need to be considered to make your meeting a success. While parts of planning can be complicated, we believe that picking your business venue should be as straightforward as possible. In an effort to make it even easier for you, we’ve compiled a list of 10 essential questions to ask when choosing a conference venue.

1. What is the Capacity?

One of the first steps to take when selecting a potential business venue is coming up with an estimate of the number of attendees. This helps you book a space that will fit all of your guests comfortably. Whether hosting a smaller meeting or a larger conference, the Delafield Brewhaus can accommodate up to 200 guests in our banquet facility or up to 80 guests in our mezzanine.

2. Is Space Available?

Most businesses have a few selected dates in mind for their event, so it is important to find a space that can host on the desired date. We try to be as flexible as possible, so please call the Delafield Brewhaus Banquet Team at (262) 646-7821 Ext. 103 to check availability.

3. How Much Does the Venue Cost?

Sticking to a budget is vital to ensuring a successful event. Make sure to inquire about the deposit, cancellation fee, and any extra charges the venue may have.

4. What are the Technical Capabilities?

No matter the type of business event, it’s likely that you will need audio or visual equipment. Our facility is multimedia ready and fully equipped to make your presentation a success.

5.  What is the Catering Situation?

Food and drink is always an important part of events. To make the planning a little easier, ask if a location has on-site catering. We offer a variety of dining options and create specialty menus for our private dining events. So whether hosting a corporate lunch or an all-day conference, we have delicious food—and tasty beer—to keep your guests happy.

6. Is the Venue Easily Accessible?

Making the trip to the conference location as easy as possible will make your attendees extremely grateful. Located just off I-94 W, midway between Milwaukee and Madison, the Delafield Brewhaus is easy to get to and won’t require your guests to make an uncomfortable trek.

7. Are Decorations Allowed?

Most events like to incorporate decorations and branding—especially if sponsors are involved. We want to make sure your event looks amazing just as much as you do, so feel free to ask us how to take your event to the next level.

8. What Does Staffing Look Like?

To make your business event run as smoothly as possible, always talk with your venue to inform them of any assistance that is required prior or during the event. Whether it is assistance with your set up or directing people to the nearest restroom, be upfront about what you need from the venue’s staff. Another good idea is to check if there is an on-site dedicated venue coordinator to assist with any issues that arise.

9. Are There Any Nearby Accommodations?

If your guests are from out of town, providing suggestions to nearby hotels will help their trip run smoothly. Close to the Delafield Brewhaus, you can find accommodations such as: The Delafield Hotel, AmericInn Hotel & Suites, La Quinta Inn & Suites, and others.

10. What is the Venue’s Reputation?

Asking what types of events a venue frequently hosts and if they are capable of hosting yours, is an important step to finding the perfect location for your business event. The Delafield Brewhaus has frequently hosted a number of events, including corporate lunches, company events, business meetings, corporate conferences, and breakfast meetings.

While it is easy to get wrapped up in the planning for a professional event, don’t make things harder than they have to be. With this list of 10 essential questions to ask a potential venue, you’ll be sure to identify the perfect location. To see if we’re your perfect location, please call the Delafield Brewhaus at (262) 646-7821 Ext. 103 or visit our website at http://www.delafield-brewhaus.com/private_dining.html for more information.

Don’t Let Your Productivity Go Out to Lunch

When is the last time you took 30 min (or even an hour) to step away from your desk and eat lunch? If you are like most people, it has probably been awhile. In fact, a study by Right Management showed that only 1 in 5 people step away for a midday meal. The other 4 people are staying static and eating at their desks. In the fast paced world we all work in, the pressure to perform and be as efficient as possible leaves a majority of us working every second, with no time for a meal. However, several studies show that this habit is actually crippling our creativity, productivity, and innovation.

In an interview with Kimberly Elsbach, a professor at the University of California, regarding workplace psychology, she states that, “Staying inside, in the same location, is really detrimental to creative thinking.” Elsbach goes on to explain that this static work environment inhibits the brain from fully cycling through and arriving at an “aha!” moment. In today’s economy, a business’s success is highly dependent on its employee’s ability to produce innovative, productive ideas.

Does your workplace culture involve a majority of people eating in the same place that they work? Elsbach claims that to make a change, management needs to “create a community around the idea.” Delafield Brewhaus is excited to help foster a new culture for your business with a group dining experience. Don’t stress about the details. We have countless years of experience with planning and hosting events and can easily help you with size, food, drinks, and technical setup of the room.

Be the difference for your office. Kicking off a campaign to refresh your midday work culture at Delafield Brewhaus will pay big dividends for your total creativity, productivity, and effectiveness. Soon you will have employees taking the mental break they need to make your business the best it can be.

It’s time to make the organizational culture shift. Call the Delafield Brewhaus Banquet Team at (262) 646-7821 Ext. 103.

A Brief History of Fruit Beer

We hear a lot from behind the bar at the Delafield Brewhaus, but one thing we’re hearing less often is the tendency to assign gender to beer styles. For every man who only drinks the Delafield Amber, there’s another who builds his own Sampler so he can stay current on our latest styles. For every woman who is looking for “something light,” there’s another who can’t wait to sip our big, barrel-aged beers out of an elegant snifter. Another bias that is fading away is the stigma surrounding fruit beer.

Used to be I’d hear a guy’s friends deride him, just a little and all in good fun, for ordering our fruit beer. We always keep one on tap and, like all of John Harrison’s beers, they are spectacular representations of their style. But thanks to craft beer culture, with its love of novelty and community, the bias is swinging in favor of this style. If I had to pin down the turning point, I’d say it was that Superbowl ad from the big factory-style macrobrewery that made fun of craft beer lovers and Pumpkin Peach Ale, in particular. This ad tweaked our value system a little, and reminded us that it is more important to stand by what you love, than to let yourself be mocked into drinking what the guys in the boardroom are pushing.

Today, I’m writing a little love note to fruit beer, in all its historical glory. That’s right: fruit beer is nothing new. In fact, it’s the opposite of something new. The very first fermented brews include fruit. Biomolecular Archaeologist Patrick McGovern has analyzed the residue inside clay jars from China and has determined that 9,000 years ago, they were making booze happen with the hawthorn fruit (which is sort of like a grape). Fast forward in time and space to Egypt, and we find our foremothers (yes, brewing was frequently done by females in ancient communities) using dates and other fruit. Naturally, we presume that the use of fruit was to provide additional fermentable sugars, but the flavors in the mash come through in the brew.

That is one reason why the Delafield Brewhaus is so committed to the quality of ingredients used in our beer. For example, we don’t use artificial colors or flavors in our fruit beer, There’s no “mango flavoring” in our award-winning Mango Sunset Lager. That mango flavor comes from mangoes. The gorgeous red hue of our Raspberry Ale, and its pink-tinged frothy head, are so lovely because of real raspberries. Just like real raspberries, the beer is bursting with fruit taste, unencumbered by the sickly sweetness of factory flavorings.

Some beer lovers choose this beer on its own, others like it blended with our Sommerzeit Hefeweizen. I like mine with a few dashes of Cranberry Bitters. However you take yours, get it while you can, because this beer won’t be around forever. Soon, a new fruit beer will hit the tap lines, and we can all discover a new, delicious beer.

Cheers!

Merry Brewhaus!

We keep it merry at the Brewhaus, all year ‘round. Having said that, the Season of Giving is one of our very favorite times. A season-within-a-season, it warms our heart even when the temperature dips. Like all of you, we sometimes struggle to find the perfect gift, or enough time to get it all done. We are here for to help you handle the holidays, in ways you might not even realize.

First of all, did you know you can do all of your shopping at the Brewhaus. Yes, it’s true. We have gift bundles, craft beer-themed apparel, glassware, and 16-oz. 4-packs of our year-round beers. Your friends probably have enough cookies this time of year, and finding time for baking can be challenging. Try showing up with a growlers of seasonal beer, and watch your host’s face light up.

Did you also know we have free wi-fi? It’s true. You can bring your friends and your tablets (or laptops, or smartphones), sit at our spacious bar and multitask your holiday shopping with a nice cold beer (or wine, or cocktail)  and some delicious appetizers. For you serious multitaskers, we’ve got brand-new, big TVs, so if there’s a game on, you won’t miss it. Skip the mall and the big box stores this year, and let us take care of you while you take care of the details everyone on your list will remember.

Are you hosting a party at home? We have everything you need to bring home the great taste of local craftsmanship. Whether you’re a seasoned entertainer with your own kegerator, or just looking for one party’s worth of beer, all of our beers are good to go in sixth, quarter and half-barrels. Call us a week before your party and we’ll help you make it a success. We’ve got all the gear you need to tap high-quality beer in the comfort of your own home.

What’s that? You don’t want all the people at your job, in your home? We understand. Let us host the party. We are conveniently located in the heart of Lake Country, with ample parking and plenty of room. Our professional staff will take care of your group from set-up to clean-up. All you’ve got to do is tell your people where the party is. Give us a call as soon as you know the particulars (date, headcount, etc.), so we can help you look sharp.

We never stop being grateful for the community we serve, but at this time of year we are especially reminded to count our blessings. Thank you all for the pleasure of your company throughout the year. We couldn’t achieve our success, without your happiness. Our team of professionals is looking forward to being part of your celebrations, at this special time of year, and all year ‘round. We hope your holiday season is filled with joy and blessings to remember always.