Growing a Business is Hard When It’s All On You.
You started this because you wanted freedom. But if every critical decision, every staff conflict, and every “quick question” still ends up on your desk, you don’t have a scalable company…you have a cage that keeps you trapped.
The Real Cost of Doing Nothing
- The “Do It Yourself” Tax: While you’re busy refereeing manager drama or fixing rookie mistakes, your business is stuck. You aren’t “saving money” by not training your team; you’re losing the future of your company.
- The Turnover Tax: High-performers quit stagnant environments where they aren’t trusted to lead. Replacing one key manager in the amusement industry costs 1.5x their annual salary in lost momentum and hiring fees.
- The Bottleneck Tax: When your team is afraid to act without your “OK,” your business moves at the speed of one person. In the amusement industry, slow decisions are expensive decisions.
- The Lifestyle Tax: If you can’t take a week off without your phone blowing up, you don’t have a business, you have a high-stress job. This on-the-call anxiety causes you to miss family dinners and lose sleep at night.
Transforming Managers Into Leaders
True leadership isn’t about a title; it’s about a mindset shift. We shift your team away from the “manager trap” where they wait for you to tell them what to do. And we move them into “leadership thinking” where they take responsibility for the outcome.
| Manager Trap (where they are now) | Leadership Thinking (where we take them) |
|---|---|
| Identifies Problems They come to you with a fire and ask, "What do you want me to do about this? | Brings Solutions They come to you and say, "X happened. I’ve already implemented Y, and here is the result." |
| Avoids Risk They are afraid to fail, so they wait for your "OK" on every small decision. | Takes Calculated Action They understand your vision and move with confidence, knowing how to "fail small" and pivot fast. |
| Maintains Status Quo They focus on "getting through the day" and keeping the doors open. | Drives Growth They look for ways to improve the guest experience and efficiency without being asked. |
| Directs the Staff They focus on the transaction of what the employees can do for the business. | Develops the Staff They focus on what they can do for the employees to help them perform at their best. |
The Right Fit For Your Team
We don’t force a square peg into a round hole. We develop the training program to meet your team exactly where they are (and take them exactly where you want them to go). Here are the kinds of teams we specialize in.
The Rebuild
For Struggling Teams
If trust is low and communication is broken, you feel like you’re micromanaging everything. We clean up the communication habits, set clear expectations for results, and rebuild the foundation so you can actually rely on your managers again.
The Rocket
For Teams Ready to Level Up
If you have a “good” team but you’re still the one driving every growth initiative, it’s time to level up. We sharpen their problem-solving and emotional intelligence so they can take the wheel, allowing you to focus on bigger projects.
The Rookie
For Teams at a New Venue
You’ve hired a group with great potential, but they’ve never worked together. We help you skip the months of friction and go straight to a high-performing culture. Set the standards and unify your team before you open your doors.
Our 3-Step Training Process
This isn’t a motivational speech where the magic fades as soon as we’re done. This is about giving your team practical tools they can start using right away, and continue using long after the training ends.
Step 1
The Diagnosis
We dive into your business and connect the dots you’re too close to see. We identify the specific gaps, bottlenecks, and friction in your team. This helps us develop a program to match your exact needs.
Step 2
The Training
This is where the shift happens. We don’t just teach theories and concepts. We engage your managers in interactive training sessions and we give them practical tools they can use (and test) immediately.
Step 3
The Handoff
We don’t let your team “snap back” to old habits once the training ends. We provide you with a customized accountability toolkit to make sure the new standards become permanent.
Testimonials
Our clients see real, lasting results in their teams, but don’t take our word for it. Here are a few of the many success stories from the businesses we’ve worked with.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you’re thinking, but haven’t asked yet.
How do I know this will actually provide an ROI?
Leadership training isn’t a line item expense. We measure success by the Return on Time. When your managers start solving problems without you, you reclaim hours of your week. Calculate what your hourly rate is worth, then multiply that by the 10+ hours you’ll save when you’re no longer the primary problem-solver. That’s your ROI. Plus, reducing turnover for just one manager saves you roughly 1.5x their annual salary in replacement costs.
My team is already busy. How can they find time for this?
This is exactly why they need it. Being “too busy” is a symptom of poor leadership and lack of systems. We don’t add “more work” to their plate; we give them a different way to handle the work they already have. Our training is designed to improve the flow of work, not disrupt it.
Is this just another "motivational" program?
No. The “external motivation” you get from a speaker or trainer is short-lived, like a bottlerocket. Our program is all about developing skills and putting those skills into action. This is long-term transformation.
How long does this training program take?
We will create a cadence that works for your schedule and your team. If you want to dive in deep and do two all-day training sessions back-to-back, we can do that. If you want a weekly cadence for 12 weeks to focus on consistency, we can do that too. We’ll help you find the right structure for your team.
More Action Lab Leadership Services
Personal Growth Mastermind
A small group of 5-7 amusement industry leaders who virtually meet every week to improve their habits, build their confidence, and create more joy.
Keynote Speaker
Elevate your event with a powerful keynote from Danny Gruening. I share stories and lessons to help your attendees improve their lives and businesses.