“It is crucial to adapt quickly to [industry] changes. We have invested a considerable amount of time into supporting strategic planning supported by data analytics and transparent metrics.”

Strategic Dining Services (SDS), under the direction of COO Jill Kuntz, offers a dedicated support platform for self-operated dining and hospitality services. Their aim is to offer clients' dining management, culinary, invaluable resources, cutting-edge technologies, guidance, and practical assistance to elevate their expertise, methods, and leadership capabilities. Essentially, they equip teams with personalized solutions to empower them to achieve their utmost potential.

Strategic Dining Service’s infrastructure supports hands-on dining and hospitality management, operational standards and guidelines, optimized staffing patterns, budget planning, monitoring, and data-driven decision-making. The strategic difference in the support delivered focuses on successful systems, techniques, and tools. It improves outcomes, saves costs, increases resident referrals, and provides quality dining experiences for higher resident and employee satisfaction.

The company's vision encompasses carefully considering and understanding the client’s needs.Rather than imposing solutions onto clients, Jill and her team embrace input from clients to best understand their unique needs and work collaboratively to support more significant outcomes. This approach has shaped the SDS business model—tailored solutions that are attainable and in line with the partnership.

In recent years, the senior living industry has undergone significant changes and will continue evolving as new generations seek options that suit their lifestyles. According to Jill, this necessitates a flexible business model. "The needs and preferences of clients and customers have shifted considerably in the past two years. There is now a greater emphasis on wellness, lifestyle, technology, and excellent hospitality as important factors for those considering living in a community. This trend is evident in the rising popularity of active adult communities and the industry's increasing focus on providing comprehensive care," Jill shares. "It is crucial to adapt quickly to these changes, and we have invested a considerable amount of time into strategic planning supported by data analytics and transparent metrics."

Jill's leadership style has helped build teams and support client needs throughout her hospitality career. Her approach to leadership is centered around inspiring others, promoting growth, and maintaining effective communication. She is well-equipped to lead teams and drive positive change. She has experience in various areas, such as financial P&L management, food and beverage management, operations management, hospitality management, customer service, and coaching. Jill is also inspired by her dedication to creating exceptional experiences for team members, clients, and customers. By prioritizing a person-centric approach that fosters a culture of excellence and innovation, her teams can better align with clients' expectations and goals, providing the foundation for optimizing outcomes and achieving success, which may vary depending on the organization's mission and values.

Effective communication is crucial throughout the entire partnership. "By providing transparent reports and taking a collaborative approach, it becomes easier to set goals and implement a strategy that is aligned with achieving them," says Jill. Using a consultative approach, there is an equal representation, and key stakeholders are engaged throughout the process to ensure the critical business needs are identified, and they are part of the process of goal alignment, fostering a greater sense of trust. Ultimately, this leads to delivering a customized solution for greater overall success. Jill's leadership style places significant emphasis on teamwork that is built on trust and collaboration. "We have a wonderful group of individuals that make up our team. Each person brings a unique perspective to the table, which profoundly impacts how we support our clients' needs as a collective group. We make a point to celebrate successes and learn together as a team."

Important factors driving success in the senior living industry include enhancing efficiencies and streamlining processes, reducing costs, and enhancing resident satisfaction. By understanding consumer trends among residents and their families, we can support how a client differentiates itself in a competitive market. Considering what matters most welcomes the opportunity to increase a sense of autonomy and personalization for residents and accessibility for families and caregivers.

Achieving these goals depends on effectively addressing the labor market, a pain point plaguing many industries over the past few years. "By engaging team members, providing ongoing training and professional development and focusing on improving workflow processes. we have seen a significant increase in retention." Another crucial factor in retention is to offer benefits that align with the needs and priorities of individuals. As a partner, SDS has been able to significantly drive operational efficiency, improve adherence to regulatory and quality standards, and enhance the resident experience while maintaining integrity in the continuum of care.

As COO, Jill is steadfast in developing strategies for SDS that focus on innovation and continually seeks ways to enhance the senior living industry. For instance, by leveraging technology solutions, clients are supported in identifying and implementing platforms that support business needs and providing clients with a more robust portfolio of tools. Jill's dedication to staying informed on industry trends and a forward-thinking approach to business fosters a purpose-driven culture that delivers exceptional service, streamlines operations and allows SDS to maintain a competitive edge.