Under the Influence Training testimonials

Some feedback from our valued customers on how we are doing delivering our training programs to their teams on the ground.

This year has seen us increase our training activity dramatically, as we roll out our Wine101 course to new customers, and Art of Suggesting Wine course to current customers. We have also upgraded our spirits course and started taking top learners through our online university. See more about our new Beverageintelligence release here! Thanks to our customers for this valuable feedback, we will keep focused on helping you create the ultimate beverage offering for your property.

Under the Influence offer a turnkey solution for us at Wilderness Botswana. They have designed our offering, sourced it at competitive prices, packaged it camp specific, and delivered cross-border door to door, without missing a beat. In addition they train and motivate our service staff and management, like no other service provider has done in the past, taking our service and wine offering to a new level. I can only recommend Under the Influence at the highest level, and we are excited to continue to develop our relationship with them into the future.
We have had the pleasure of having Under the Influence at Serondella recently, staff were trained on Wine and Service training. The classes were fun, interactive and professional, filled with a wealth of knowledge. Their style of training made it easy for staff to understand but also ensured that they did not lose interest. Staff could not stop telling management what they had learnt, fresh ideas where shared with each other. And it is amazing to see everyone’s improvement and motivation. We highly recommend using them for training at any lodge, hotel, or guest house no matter how small or big.
The Under The Influence team have an unmatched collective knowledge of International wine and consumer trends and have used this to formulate an iconic wine list appropriate to the North Island offering considering, climate, cuisine, and our typical guest profile. As a supplier, Under The Influence provides a service that is unequalled by any other I have ever had dealings with, not only from a pricing point of view but also with logistics, support and training. Their style of training engages staff, most of whom have received no formal education, on a level that facilitates real interest and understanding. Their method has allowed them to make an outstanding contribution to the success of our team who deliver service that is consistently rated as exceptional by our guests. Their success lies in the fact that they go beyond the basics to impart an innate understanding of what high touch service is and how one can implement ones knowledge to create more personalised guest interactions which is what makes memorable experiences.
Allister and the Under the Influence team did an exceptional job for our front of house team. We had a two day training session that covered everything food, wine and service related for our front of house team. They made learning fun and interactive and our staff loved it. The information did not feel overwhelming or intimidating the way it was presented and with the many guided role playing sessions the team really got to practice what they learned. They came away from the training inspired and excited to use their new skills. You will not regret working with this fun, energetic and passionate team. We cannot wait to get them back for a refresher! Jen and Nici - Beaumont Wines
Our staff at andBeyond really enjoy their training programs and it has been an absolute pleasure to deal with them. Their service is always friendly and professional, their knowledge about the wines are very good and they are well respected.
Allister and his team are a great support to our operation by consistently going the extra mile in all areas including ones not asked for or expected. I highly recommend Under the Influence as a Partner in hospitality. Their attitude towards business and service are a great example to students and clients alike, making every dealing and interaction an absolute pleasure.

The course was a good introduction to the making of wine, as well as the art of suggesting it to guests. For the amount of time that we had, we felt we learnt a lot.
Trainers engage very well with the staff on the ground and make the training understandable and entertaining. 90% of our staff have never even drunk wine so to make them understand the importance of it to our guests and how it enhances the service is not always easy. Understanding the wine making process from start brings it a little “ closer to home” for the staff and gives them a better overall picture of why it is such an important offering in our camps.
At Wilderness Zimbabwe we really appreciate the effort Under the Influence puts into training our staff and developing relationships that improve the client/supplier bond all the time.
Thanks to the whole team .
I did not attend the sessions personally but the feedback I got from the attendants was that it was very comprehensive and the trainer Tom was really engaging and knowledgeable.
Your passion for people and professionalism in everything you do is outstanding!
We had some very raw staff members with low or no knowledge of wine. The way in which the trainer focused on each individual, capturing the attention of each person and sharing information with the less informed as well as the more experienced at the same time, was fantastic. The friendly and enthusiastic personality of the trainer made it possible for the staff to engage with him from early in the morning, for 6 hours of training while still running shifts in a rather busy lodge, without losing interest. The energy levels stayed high and all staff passed the exam. I am so proud and staff can not wait for the next training session.
The training was delivered very well, the trainers engaged my staff in a very professional manner and no confusion emerged from any of the staff in regards to material and information given.
The staff thoroughly enjoyed the training and are hungry for more.
As General Manager I cannot fault anything in the training. The trainers were extremely punctual and accommodating with the limited time we had to offer.
Over all 100% from the UI team. Fantastic job and for sure I will spread the good word around to top lodges and hotels in Livingstone and most definitely promote UI as much and as far as possible.
We think Under the Influence nailed it - the training was incredible, fun and done in such a way that our staff, no matter their level of education, could all understand it. We look forward to welcoming them back again for the next stage of the training.
Can't think of anything to improve on. It was great!
I cant think of anything else to add but was impressed that the training also offer customer service knowledge, which was an added value to us
Under the Influence's energy, passion and enthusiasm is unwavering when it comes to training and imparting their knowledge and skills. Not only are they incredible with wine training, but their approach to train all levels of staff in hospitality and service is exemplary.