Aaron Steedman

The new owner of the Clarence Rd Eatery on Northcote Point contracted me to overhaul the site, re-brand, refurbish, re-staff, new menu etc. This has been ongoing to 10 weeks. There is to much detail regarding the scope of the role for the purpose of a CV so I have explained this in my introduction email.

When I arrived at Cleancorp the Operations Manager and Admin Coordinator had left. I had to learn their roles and mine independently. I achieved this by immersing myself in the CRM system which is used to manage over 600 customers and 120 franchisees. Inevitably I found processes and procedures that hindered fluid operations and these were addressed.

• Sales, operations, and administration staff all reported to me directly. I strengthened my team and organization by recruiting people whom I had worked with before knowing they had a solid work ethic.
• Troubleshooting was a significant part of my role as I'm highly capable at resolving complications with franchisees or customers.
• Sold multiple Franchises and managed many agreement renewals.
• Negotiated commercial contracts, oversaw contract rollovers, addressed minimum wage increases with over 300 customers.
• Priced and booked specialised work we conducted.

• I managed the Tank North Shore Stores for Auckland, 11 stores and 85 staff
• I was responsible for hiring all my staff, training store managers, daily and weekly reporting, keeping the costs of goods in line, and controlling wage costs. Using my coaching skills I focused on staff well-being and camaraderie, which reduced staff turnover and created a productive culture during a much-understaffed Covid era
• I successfully ran my region and the company developed a new role for me as the Recruitment Specialist. I then oversaw recruitment for a company of 500 staff.

I left this role as I met the owners of Cleancorp and they were looking for someone with a can do attitude and the role seemed challenging so I accepted the position as Commercial Manager.

• The Icon Group owns multiple commercial buildings throughout NZ, including Elliott Stables in the AKL CBD. I was bought in to help their Hospitality outlets as the first Covid lockdown was very challenging for them to recover from.
• There were 11 tenants operating hospitality businesses within Elliott Stables. For them having an Ops Manager with my hospitality experience was highly complementary as I helped some of them change their menus, create more contemporary cuisine, and introduce contemporary music and a funkier type of feel to the place.

I left as I had completed my task and needed something more significant to work on. The GM of Tank, whom I had served many times, knew my work and offered me a role.

Holy Hop opened in October 2019, and like any new place, they were still figuring out the right vibe in the initial months of the operation. They had offered me this role earlier, but I chose the Elmos contract as I enjoy the challenge of starting new hospitality ventures.

• I stepped in and immediately worked on the menu with the head chef, wage costings, and food and beverage percentages, and these were all bought into line. All the while, I was focusing on the service style that lacked drive and energy.
• I had to do all this twice in 6 months as the first Covid lockdown came, and most of our staff returned home overseas during the lockdown. So, I had to build a whole new team to open again.
• Holy Hop was very busy after the first COVID-19 break, with record days noted when the Auckland Blues were playing, and I proved that I could rebuild and refine big spaces and make them flow again.

I left as the Icon Group offered me a role, and I wanted to work with them.

I was contracted as the opening Operations Manager for Elmo’s, Ponsonby Road. This is 120-seater, fast paced, pizzeria and bar. I started 4 weeks prior to opening and employed all 25 staff and set many of the systems. My main focus was restaurant flow and training of staff; many of them with little experience. It was extremely busy with minimal issues and an excellent work culture was established quickly. I moved on as I had completed the overall task.

After a long break, I returned to the hospitality industry as I required flexible working hours to concentrate on my coaching practice and help raise my godsons as their mother was unwell. I chose Prego as the owners knew me, and the standards at Prego are highly professional, which I wanted to align with. This vocation became my focus, and Prego was an excellent re-entry step back into Hospitality with the idea of building and owning sites again.

• In 2010 and even though counselling, group work and training were my primary skill set I continually met people that needed more than counselling and the evolutionary step from counselling is coaching; thus, began my coaching journey. Over the 8 years I studied Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) at length, completed a Certificate in Multiple brain integration Techniques (Mbit), studied Buddhism and Yoga and bought a combination of all these teachings into my clinical practice and daily life.
• Inspired Learning Global offers a suite of programs using the principles of improvisation and play with evidence-based neuroscience and psychology. These programs teach participants to embody learning and bridge the gap between theory and practice, between knowing and doing, to create lasting positive behavioural change. We focused on maximizing productivity, developing Self Intelligence, increasing your joy at work and home, and setting up a solid foundation to lead others successfully.
• I delivered over 15 x 10-week programs to organizations like Spark, Sovereign Insurance, and Auckland Airport.
• www.inspiredlearning.global

• Senior interviewer: I interviewed, assessed, and orientated approximately 2500 men for Shine programs and counseling. I often worked with highly resistant clients but became proficient with motivational interviewing and helping them develop a 'respectful connection' towards myself and the program.
• Counselor: 1:1 individual counseling was a substantial part of my work with men unsuitable or ready to enter group work. I completed over 2000 hours of individual counseling and co-facilitated over 1000 groups. My counseling practice was influenced by Narrative therapy, Solution Focused therapy, and Strength Based approaches.
• Senior Trainer: I often led training for Community organizations, Government agencies, Police, Justice departments, and District Health Boards.

I was the opening partner of Manuka in Devonport.

Manuka was a highly successful cafe/restaurant that still exists today, yet entirely different from when I first opened it. I left as I wanted to do something else with my life which was a Degree in Counselling. I spent the next three years concentrating on that.

• From the outset of my hospitality career, I worked in excellent establishments and became highly experienced as an opening crew member.
• I worked at Hammerheads in the opening crew as Bar Manager, SPQR - opening crew, and Cibo - opening team as Bar Manager.
• I worked for Dah Lee at Cafe Paradiso, Armadillo, and City Bistro in Wellington.
• Eventually, I ended up in Hawkes Bay, where I was the opening manager for the Corn Exchange and foreman on site for four months during its building.