Thread by @william_r_kerr

Our @HarvardHBS MBA course on #ManagingTheFutureOfWork is underway!

I share a few key ideas from each class that sparked conversation.

Class 16 discussed @ChickenTakeover's approach to talent development & its plans for growth (Case No. 819-078): politico.com/magazine/story…

Based in Columbus OH, Hot Chicken Takeover makes delicious Nashville Hot Chicken… yummy, esp with Miss B's banana pudding to follow!

As important, Hot Chicken Takeover is a "fair chance" employer. Target employees include those with criminal records, a history of drug use, homelessness, etc. People with criminal records, for example, face extraordinarily higher unemployment rates.

Once hired, HCT provides wraparound services, training, & clear paths for growth for employees. This talent strategy has worked: HCT has much lower turnover than peers in the food industry & founder @joedeloss credits it with creating a better restaurant experience & service.

Moreover, Joe pushes how the economics of lower turnover - see all the hidden costs below - give Hot Chicken Takeover a competitive labor edge. Much of class was spent on how to scale from HCT's three stores to 300+ in many cities and keep this differentiator.

Full of vision and commitment, Joe told the class about his early efforts to establish that fair chance employment can be successful and now how he seeks to influence the perspectives of big businesses too:

Joe also ended by describing the scaling nature of his role as an entrepreneur in the maturing organization: