---
title: OpenTable & KAYAK Case Study | Excel Communications
description: Excel partnered with OpenTable & Kayak to design “Managing Essentials”, a 6-module virtual manager introduction for 200+ new leaders over 3 months.
---

[Case Study ](https://www.excel-communications.com/case-study)

# [OpenTable & KAYAK Case Study | Excel Communications](https://www.excel-communications.com/case-study/opentable-kayak)

 Written by [Alex Dinnadge](https://www.excel-communications.com/case-study/author/alex-dinnadge) | Sep 10, 2025 10:41:52 AM

# **The Secret to Employee Retention? Continuous Learning**

## MANAGING ESSENTIALS PROGRAMME 

OpenTable & KAYAK were looking for an introductory manager program for its new and inexperienced managers. Excel partnered with OpenTable & KAYAK to design and deliver, what became known as, the Managing Essentials Program.

## We Understood OpenTable & Kayak's Needs

## What Did It Entail? 

OpenTable and KAYAK are committed to investing in the growth and development of its people. Following a period of expansion, their teams grew exponentially, creating a pressing need to give new and inexperienced managers the tools to succeed.

Excel partnered closely with OpenTable and KAYAK to meticulously create and fine-tune the content for an introductory manager program. At the heart of everything was the goal to uphold the OpenTable and KAYAK core values and leadership principles, fostering a strong culture through a delivery approach that was engaging, practical, and insightful. After successful collaboration the Managing Essentials Program was created.

With extremely positive feedback from the first set of cohorts the program went from strength to strength with the content being tweaked based on feedback as each cohort completed the program. The overall success of the program has been excellent, and we are excited to be delivering the Managing Essentials program for a 4th year running in 2025!

 

## What Were The Results?

## To find out more about OpenTable Kayak, click the name below:

<https://www.kayak.co.uk/about>

**Hello and Welcome to Excel Communications**

At Excel, our purpose is to enable everyone we talk to, to realise their true incredible potential.

We want your people to be able to perform at their very best by giving them knowledge and skills through an unforgettable learning experience.

All our learning and development programmes are delivered both virtually and in-person and can be delivered all over the world.

[View full post](https://www.excel-communications.com/case-study/opentable-kayak)

```json
{
  "@context" : "http://schema.org",
  "@type" : "BlogPosting",
  "author" : {
    "@type" : "Person",
    "name" : "Alex Dinnadge"
  },
  "dateModified" : "2025-10-08T15:15:42.965Z",
  "datePublished" : "2025-09-10T10:41:52Z",
  "headline" : "Training All Levels Of Manager For...",
  "image" : {
    "@type" : "ImageObject",
    "height" : 220,
    "url" : "https://26056032.fs1.hubspotusercontent-eu1.net/hubfs/26056032/Website%20Migration%20Content/SpotDev%20-%20Excel%20Website%202025/optimised/kayak-logo-white-bg.png",
    "width" : 301
  },
  "mainEntityOfPage" : "https://www.excel-communications.com/case-study/opentable-kayak",
  "publisher" : {
    "@type" : "Organization",
    "logo" : {
      "@type" : "ImageObject",
      "height" : 60,
      "url" : "/hs/hsstatic/content_shared_assets/static-1.4092/img/default-amp-logo.png",
      "width" : 60
    },
    "name" : "Case Study"
  }
}
```