December 2010 SN Cover
Leadership
December 2010
“Leadership is a vital management skill in the pursuit of quality in school nutrition programs,” writes SNA President Nancy Rice, SNS, in her Leading Edge column in the December issue of School Nutrition. This month’s issue of SNA’s award-winning flagship publication explores strategies helpful for both current and future leaders in school nutrition. Also included in the issue are a look at the product solutions School Nutrition’s team of “secret shoppers” identified at SNA’s Annual National Conference (ANC) and an article detailing home-style meals and what “home-style” means to school nutrition professionals today.
This year’s Roundtable of Leaders, made up of past, present and future SNA leaders, share their thoughts on the attractions and rewards of leadership, lessons learned, helpful advice, good and bad role models and much more in “Take Their Lead.” Bonus Web Content: You can also find additional reflections from Roundtable participants, such as how they have applied their leadership experience to their school nutrition jobs.
In “SWOT’s Happening!” learn to use the SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) analysis, a time-honored tool to help managers capture and categorize information about their businesses and plan strategies to compete in the marketplace.
There is so much attention paid to being a good leader that few of us have given much thought to the art of being a good follower. “Take Me to Your…Followers” considers what being a good follower means, as well as why leaders and teams need this support.
A small group of shoppers at last summer’s ANC in Dallas had a simple, straight-forward mission: Tell School Nutrition what products caught your eye—and why. Check out “What a Find!” for the highlights that this independent team of school nutrition operators identified.
In “Go Back to the Future with Scratch Cooking,” read insights and advice from school nutrition colleagues in districts big and small, rural and urban who report that switching to a menu mix featuring more scratch items has been a hit with students.
Take Their Lead 
Seasoned and novice leaders share philosophies, experiences, reflections and hopes at SN's annual Roundtable.
SWOT's Happening
Learn to use the SWOT Analysis to lead teams, guide employees and improve your school nutrition program.
Take Me to Your...Followers
The best leaders need followers who will stand up and speak out.
What a Find!
School Nutrition's team of "secret shoppers" collected a wide variety of product solutions at SNA's Annual National Conference.
Go Back to the Future with Scratch Cooking
Your operation can provide meals that create a sense of comfort and home.