Get to know... Scott Adams

In July, we introduced a new blog series where you'll get an inside peak into what makes HotSchedules so unique -- our team members. We kicked off the series talking with  Amy Castner, and this month, we chatted with HotSchedules training manager Scott Adams about the Longhorns, Bryan Adams and his role at HotSchedules.

What is your official title at HotSchedules, and what does your day-to-day workload entail?
My official title is training manager; I help get new clients up to speed on how to properly use the product through a variety of training tools we’ve created such as videos, knowledge base articles and printable user guides. We also provide live training sessions, conference calls, and best practices sessions to ensure a customer’s transition to HotSchedules is as seamless as possible. I also work internally with the HotSchedules team to make sure everyone is up to speed with all aspects of our product.

How long have you been at the company?

I have been with HotSchedules for more than five years now.

What was your professional or academic experience before HotSchedules?

I graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in 2002 with a B.S. in kinesiology when Ray offered me a position at HotSchedules. I had eight years of restaurant experience, so I was intrigued with the concept of HotSchedules and couldn’t resist checking it out. All these years later, I’m still with the company and loving every day of it.

What do you feel makes HotSchedules’ company culture most unique?
We are all friends. We take care of each other. We work hard, but we have fun doing it.

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Next Contest Question: Tell us about...

Thanks to everyone who participated in the latest question of our Facebook contest! We got a lot of great feedback on how HotSchedules fits into your company culture. Check out the chart below summarizing your responses to the question:

Would you consider HotSchedules a positive part of your company culture?
A) Strongly agree
B) Agree
C) Neutral
D) Disagree
E) Strongly Disagree


The randomly selected winner for Question #6 was Isaac Velasquez of McAlister's in Lubbock, Texas -- congratulations, Isaac! Isaac mentioned that he loves HotSchedules because "it's able to keep everyone informed of their schedules and changes at work, in order to allow the employees to work around their daily lives and not wait to the last minute to try to make any changes. By doing so, it increases moral and performance in the work environment and better communication which is key in all we do."

Now, on to the next one question and YOUR chance to join us on Facebook and answer to win our next prize. (Click here to review the rules.) We wanted to have some fun with this one. The question is:

Tell us about the most embarrassing or funniest thing that's ever happened to you working in a restaurant -- and keep it PG-13, please!

This question will be up for two weeks, so head on over to Facebook and spill your story -- we can't wait to hear it. And don't forget to tell your friends and colleagues that use HotSchedules to participate so we can reach our goal!

New Facebook Contest Question (#6): Company Culture

Thanks to those that sent in such great photos for Question 5. For those of you who didn’t get a chance, we may run another photo contest later this year or next year, so be on the lookout for that. Congratulations to winner, Gabrielle Eggleston (of Carino's Italian in Cedar Park, Texas), who is taking home the HotSchedules prize package including 5 gift cards to a few of our customer restaurants, iTunes, and Best Buy. Check out Gabrielle's creative entry below:

"I'm sending a picture of me accessing hotschedules on my laptop...IN SPAIN! I'm studying abroad for a few weeks and this is from my residencia."

Now, it’s time to pick up the pace. We’re counting on all of you to spread the word to your friends, co-workers, and other restaurants using HotSchedules to join us on Facebook so we can reach our goal of 10,000 Facebook fans for our 10th anniversary! Check here for a reminder of the rules for our contest — in a nutshell, we are posting a new question every 2 weeks, and you can answer once on Facebook for each question. At the end of the 2 weeks, we’ll randomly select a winner from all the Facebook responses and post the next question.

With question #6, we want to talk CULTURE. Company culture is shaped by shared values, ethics and beliefs within a company that are usually influenced by individual personality of founders or the leadership team — and also by the collective personality of the company and all its employees. Many of our customers tell us that HotSchedules has become an integral part of their company culture — and we want to know what YOU think.

This one is a 2-parter, but we promise it will be very quick and easy to answer:

PART 1: Would you consider HotSchedules a positive part of your company culture?
A) Strongly agree
B) Agree
C) Neutral
D) Disagree
E) Strongly Disagree

PART 2: Why or why not?

Thanks again for your participation, and we look forward to seeing your answers! This question will be live until August 25.



And the Keepin' it Hot Award Goes To...

... Amy Castner!

Each quarter at HotSchedules, we recognize an employee who's been going above and beyond to do outstanding work for our customers -- we call it our "Keepin' it Hot" award, and this time around, the honor goes to the amazing Amy Castner. Check out our interview with Amy to get to know her better, and be sure to come back to the blog as we'll be introducing you to a different HotSchedules employee every month!

What is your role at HotSchedules, and what does your day-to-day workload entail?
I'm a Support Services Technician, so I field support calls and emails, troubleshoot and investigate issues for clients.  The majority of the cases I work with involves training our users on proper use of the software.

How long have you been at the company?
I have been at HotSchedules for one year as of August.

What was your professional or academic experience before HotSchedules?
I have a BS in Communications from the University of Texas with a focus on Radio, TV and Film production.  I have a pretty varied professional background, which includes having worked as Executive Assistant in Development at a TV production company in Hollywood,  as Sales and Acquisitions for Web services in the Real Estate industry, and as Director of Operations/Producer/Editor  for a small HD Video Production Company in San Diego. Oh, and I was an assistant manager at Amy’s Ice Creams and a server at Scholz’ Biergarten, too. ;)

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