Radiate Hospitality’s Post

IT'S ABOUT THE PEOPLE, STUPID In a business based on personal connection, you have to get personal. This means going beyond the fixation on data and the procedural aspects of service. Focus on getting good at the HUMAN dimension of service. The key to treating your guests as individuals is to start thinking of them as individuals. It's great to look at yesterday's business and see that you served 300 dinners when you projected 275. It's an entirely different mindset to look over yesterday's managers log, rez list, credit card receipts or frequent diner transactions to see that Phyllis and Wilbur Young came in to celebrate their 53rd anniversary, Renee Strom hosted a luncheon for local meeting planners or you handled a special entree request for Dick Gaven. Statistics are a good way to keep score and see if you're continually beating last year. However, statistics can only tell you about the past and the past is history. A successful operators wants to get a handle on what will assure their success into the future. In a "people business" like ours, don't forget ... it's about the people, stupid!

I am honored to be nominated as Business Person of the Year for the Beautiful Bakersfield Awards. This recognition means a lot to me, and I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to be acknowledged among such incredible peers. As we prepare for the awards, I want to share a few simple life rules that I live by, especially when I feel off track: 1. Collaboration Over Competition: Seek win-win relationships. When we work together, we can achieve so much more than when we compete against each other. 2. Trust the Process: Believe that we are exactly where we are meant to be at this moment. Life has a way of unfolding perfectly, even if we can’t see it right away. 3. Healthy Habits: Move your body, think kind words, and eat nourishing foods. Our physical and mental health are paramount to our success. 4. Trust Your Gut: Follow your true purpose. Our intuition often knows what’s best for us, even when logic does not. 5. Admit Mistakes: Don’t be afraid to admit when you’re wrong. None of us have all the answers, and acknowledging our mistakes is a step toward growth. 6. Follow Through: Always do what you say you are going to do. Integrity is the foundation of trust and respect in any relationship. To all the business owners out there, keep pushing forward. Your hard work and dedication are making a difference. I am excited to see everyone at the awards tomorrow, and I look forward to celebrating our collective achievements. Let’s continue to support and uplift each other as we strive for excellence in our community.

Alan Sweitzer s the CEO of Royal Catering, a Dallas-Fort Worth hospitality business. Alan realized a few years ago that not all business advisory boards deliver the same impact, when the group he was committed to seemed to be focusing on the wrong things. Alan said, “I was part of a business owner group for five years, but they lacked a professional moderator and the meetings turned more social than having any actual merit. I was like 'I really don't have time for a party right now, I am trying to survive.’” That’s when Alan turned to The Alternative Board (TAB). “My TAB Board discusses how to develop job scaping opportunities and career paths for our best employees. You know, important stuff like that. It's fun, but it's not about going to happy hour." Read more about Alan, his business, and his TAB Board experience in this Member Case Study from The Alternative Board (TAB). https://buff.ly/4cyto9N #tabboards #businesscoaching #peeradvisoryboards

This is a bittersweet memory for me. The perfect example of putting a smile on, hiding that you feel crushed inside. A feeling we all know too well as business owners. To be honest, I’d wanted to win this award since I started by business at 18 years old. I was over the moon when I was shortlisted, and invited a full table, with my clients, team, and suppliers. 🌙 On the morning of the awards night, I started experiencing symptoms of miscarriage, and by lunchtime, I knew this was the case. No HR or manager to call, I just wanted to hide away. Running a business through personal challenges is no easy task - and there's no guidebook in place for when you’re the boss, when you’re not able to take the necessary time off needed to grieve, heal, or recover. I didn’t want to go to the awards, but my husband convinced me we should still go. I didn’t want to let the people I’d invited down, and giving up isn’t in my nature. So, I decided to put a smile on and step up. And, I won. ✨🏆 It didn’t feel like a victory, but it reminded me of how strong I could be. After receiving the news last week that I’ve been nominated for a Yorkshire Choice Award for 2024, it immediately cast my mind back to this moment. Two years on from this, and I’m in the position I dreamed about being in back then. Business is good, expecting our first baby and nominated for another award. 👩🏼💼👪🏆 It doesn't matter whether I win or not, because i'm proud of how far i've come personally and professionally since this moment. All business owners should give themselves a kindness award. Be kind to yourself, because whatever you’re trying to overcome, you will, eventually. 🤍 And shout out to the business owners who are kind to one and other, you never know how much someone might need it! #MondayMorningThoughts #Awards #BusinessOwner #kindnessmatters

Higher Purpose Business   As posted in the past, I attended the Principled Business Summit led on-site by Alexander McCobin at Necker Island, Sir Richard Branson's residence. Here's a summary of Prue Leith, another excellent guest at the conference.   Prue is very successful in the UK restaurant, catering, and top chef school businesses. She has also received numerous awards and prizes in many categories. In 2021, the late Queen Elizabeth named her Damehood for her business success and contributions to charity, education, and the arts.   The theme of her presentation, "How do we prioritize happiness, honesty, transparency, and human relations over money?" was candid and inspiring. Prue's multifaceted career illustrates how her passionate journey drove her acts to innovate and differentiate in the competitive industry.   Her passion went beyond financial success. The core motive of staying true to her love for food and commitment to the quality of the service was the Higher Purpose she continued to pursue. It has helped her build a successful business, impacting many constituents, including the board director community.   Having a Higher Purpose at the core navigates and creates an outstanding business that differentiates from competitors, motivates employees, and derives a sense of human relations in the firm for mutual success.   I was impressed that she is VERY PASSIONATE about contributing to Corporate Governance through her board representation in numerous companies. Her role as a board member, through oversight with a sense of Higher Purpose at each company, will help create corporate values for the shareholders and other stakeholders. #higherpurpose #consciouscapitalism #sustainablebusiness #consciousbusiness #consciousleadership #humancapital #responsiblebusiness #purpose #purposedriven #purposedrivenleadership #richardbranson #corporategovernance #womeninbusiness #womenbusinessowners #womenentrepreneurs

Alan Sweitzer s the CEO of Royal Catering, a Dallas-Fort Worth hospitality business. Alan realized a few years ago that not all business advisory boards deliver the same impact, when the group he was committed to seemed to be focusing on the wrong things. Alan said, “I was part of a business owner group for five years, but they lacked a professional moderator and the meetings turned more social than having any actual merit. I was like 'I really don't have time for a party right now, I am trying to survive.’” That’s when Alan turned to The Alternative Board (TAB). “My TAB Board discusses how to develop job scaping opportunities and career paths for our best employees. You know, important stuff like that. It's fun, but it's not about going to happy hour." Read more about Alan, his business, and his TAB Board experience in this Member Case Study from The Alternative Board (TAB). https://lnkd.in/gkJ8eT-M #tabboards #businesscoaching #peeradvisoryboards #smallbusiness

That was one quick week with plenty going on as the world returned to its first full week post summer holidays 🏖 How have you found it? 🛠 Monday kicked off with the introduction of a new tool and technique into Project One. As with our customers undertakings it's all with improving the efficiency and effectiveness for the organisation. Alongside this were 121's and a pricing conversation for a potential new customer undertaking. 🥕 Tuesday was a review of a RFP submission for a significant grocery retailer, followed by a coffee catch-up with an ex-colleague I hadn't seen in a while. Talk turned from the 'how you doing' to the "ooo, that's interesting and I'd be keen to hear more..." so I'll be back around soon to provide more detail on how we may be able to support them. 🚗 Wednesday was my 400 mile motorway day up and back to our Cheshire HQ, passing through 4-seasons of weather in one day, and the first early start of the season in the dark. ExCo and 121's alongside the normal conversations. 🚂 Thursday in Birmingham for a catch-up lunch with our Commercial Finance advisors, with talk on the flat market conditions and how that is playing out for them and us. We also touched on the inevitable conversation of the potential impact of the upcoming budget and how that will play out. 🥗 Friday started early with a Teams meeting with a potential new customer needing PPM at speed for an immediate undertaking, followed by lunch with an ex-colleague who is now part of the c-suite at one of our industry peers - always good to talk within the market. 🚕 That first week has flown by. The weekend ahead with the family looks just as busy with my taxi service for the boys to various sports clubs and fixtures full to bursting, but hey the blue skies and sunshine make it enjoyable to stand on the side-lines 🏉 How has your first week back of the autumn been ⁉ #changemanagement #transformationalleadership #diarymanagement #customeracquisition #businessdevelopment

AND ANOTHER AWARD GOES TO… Opening up my LinkedIn feed this morning and I was greeted with more of what seems like endless self-acclaim for winning some industry award of which there are now apparently thousands. Okay – I get it. LinkedIn is now a platform for narcissism, self-aggrandizement, back slapping and just general “Look at me how great I and my team are” posts. But the whole award thing has gotten out of hand. Because business has fallen into the trap of feeling compelled to compete and give folks the chance for industry awards, the whole industry awards business has become expert at tapping this vein – creating award after award, and an endless tier of prizes within each award category to feed a greedy industry that serves no true benefit. Ahh, but “awards make us feel good” you’d argue. They say who we are in the vast competitive pecking order. Well, I’d argue – “Uh don’t we all work for the collective goal of driving business – ours or the clients?” “Isn’t the actual reward just seeking SATISFACTION – creatively, emotionally and intellectually – ACHIEVED WITH A JOB DONE TO THE BEST OF OUR ABILITIES?” “And then when done often enough – and measurably enough – that we see the financial rewards through promotions, raises, bonuses (clients renewing contracts?) et al?” There’s a term called “scarcity value” that applies here. Think of awards like pies. The first one you dig into is great. But the more and more you have of them, the less and less you derive joy from each, therefore diminishing the value (but likely increasing your stomach ache!). Personally, I’d rather receive or dole out the occasional and sincerely offered “Great job [NAME HERE]” than almost anything else. But then I grew up with one boss especially stingy with compliments – but each rare pronouncement making me feel like I could walk on water. So how about it people? Less sharing of awards on this platform (if you want to keep paying for the privilege of displaying more shiny statues go ahead), more meaningfully recognizing rare and true achievement. Oh, and if you enjoyed this post, please no awards or bouquets – a simple “like” is all the affirmation I need. #TOOMANYAWARDS #SUCCESSISITSOWNREWARD

One definition for value is literally “the price paid for something” so in that case, if you get something for free, it has no value to you. Would you walk into a restaurant and expect a free meal before deciding whether to become a regular customer? Of course not, yet some people believe they are entitled to a 'freebie' before perhaps partnering with us in the future. Our speakers, guests, commercial partners, and our business invest significant time, resources, and effort in to producing and delivering our boutique residential meetings. The results provide significant value for everyone involved, as proven over the past 15 years. Let’s support each other’s work, not undervalue it. Just like in any other business transaction, it’s about trust, collaboration, and mutual respect - no freebies needed.....and none should be expected. #strategicpartners #value #collaboration

Alan Sweitzer is the CEO of Royal Catering, a Dallas-Fort Worth hospitality business. Alan realized a few years ago that not all business advisory boards deliver the same impact, when the group he was committed to seemed to be focusing on the wrong things. Alan said, “I was part of a business owner group for five years, but they lacked a professional moderator and the meetings turned more social than having any actual merit. I was like 'I really don't have time for a party right now, I am trying to survive.’” That’s when Alan turned to The Alternative Board (TAB). “My TAB Board discusses how to develop job scaping opportunities and career paths for our best employees. You know, important stuff like that. It's fun, but it's not about going to happy hour." Read more about Alan, his business, and his TAB Board experience in this Member Case Study from The Alternative Board (TAB). https://lnkd.in/eBpsAydw #tabboards #businesscoaching #peeradvisoryboards