Together Everyone Achieves More!

                For the past few years, Maureen Locus has been the Crisis Communication and Non-profit Public Relations representative for the very well known, Brinker International. Locus visited with our CCPA class this past week and shared some of the good, bad, and ugly experiences she has had as a PR rep for Brinker. Now, as straight forward as her job may seem, she shared some stories that I would have never thought a PR rep for a large food chain would have to deal with. Let’s just say, expect the unexpected.

                Beyond all the great stories Ms. Locus told us, there was something really special I learned from her visit. Brinker has adopted a “team” mentality and promotes a very open, accepting and friendly work atmosphere. Maureen Locus is a “team-member” at Brinker and works at a “support center.” This mentality that Brinker adopted assures that all of the team members really do feel like part of a team. When you go to work every day with the feeling that you are truly a vital part in the company, you feel more inclined to do your best and have a positive attitude.

                The Brinker team works by the saying “Life is short, Work Happy!” This is both inspiring and optimistic for the future of the Brinker team. The leadership at Brinker wants the entire team to share in the success and happiness of the company. Ms. Locus has been with Brinker long enough to believe in their mission and is evidence of how well their system works. She shared with us that in the end, “It’s the people you go to work with, that make it so fun.” Brinker has changed Locus’ life in a way that will make any other place she may work at, hard to measure up.  After hearing about Ms. Locus’ experiences with Brinker, I think it would be hard for her to work anywhere else especially because it would be hard to duplicate the positive and rewarding experiences she has had with Brinker.

                 Every time I hear the notorious jingle “I want my baby-back-baby-back-baby-back… Chili’s….,” I will have a new image that pops into my head. Now, I see that the support-centers and all the restaurant under the Brinker name, are a vital part of an unbeatable team. That, and well, a funny story Ms. Locus shared with us about baby-back ribs & the wacky things she deals with in PR. And a little piece of advice, if you ever get the chance to hear Ms. Locus or any other member of the Brinker team speak, don’t go hungry; after an hour of hearing about Brinker and their restaurants, you will be craving Chili’s or Maggiano’s like never before!