McKibbon Hospitality’s Post

Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara was the perfect book companion for my recent off grid Unyoked weekend. Have you read it? Credit goes to Jade Cameron for recommending this book when she spoke at RetailFest. I knew I had to read it - I love anything hospitality related and Jade and the team at LSKD are exemplary in the Australian business world for next level community engagement (something they've been doing long before this book was written). And when I met the waterdrop® team in 2022 their approach to community and culture was also what immediately attracted me to the brand. There are so many incredible anecdotes in this book that are just so well articulated - plus the success of these restaurants will have you itching to go to New York to visit. My key callouts are concepts that pertains to all businesses: + "The Rule of 95/5 ~ manage 95% of your business down the penny; spend the last 5 per cent "foolishly" - find something that allows you to do something "unreasonable" to create something incredible + "Be intentional with every act of service" - intentionality is the game changer that makes you stand out against every other + Great service and experience does not just extend to your customer but to your team. Your entire culture needs to deliver on the values you espouse and this is how the ecosystem of your company goes to the next level.   + It's not about money or big grand gestures, "luxury means just giving more: hospitality means being more thoughtful".   It's about being able to surprise or create thoughtful moments, about creating a community that you want to be a part of and be valued in. It's about how you make them feel. What should be next on my Reading List? What book has inspired you of late? I'm ready for new recommendations.

Ever wondered what simple changes you could implement in your hospitality-driven business to ensure your venue is a more welcoming space for everyone? Today, more than ever, consumer values play a pivotal role in shaping choices. So, take a look at our latest blog for actionable tips on fostering inclusivity in your day-to-day operations. #inclusiveculture #accessibledesign #valuesmatter https://lnkd.in/dSZt8cAq

How does hospitality fit into the workplace? Oxford Dictionary defines hospitality as “the friendly and generous reception and entertainment of guests.” Hospitality doesn’t always have to involve food, but food is one of the things that brings people together more than anything else. Ever brought donuts or bagels to the office for people to enjoy? It’s also a great way to get people talking. Offices can be a tough place to get beyond the surface with people, but it has to start somewhere. Donuts are a great door opener. #liveoutward Will you?

🌟 Discover the Art of Hospitality! 🌟 I've always been grateful for my journey into the service industry. Starting pragmatically, knowing nearly 60% of the workforce was in this field, I never imagined where it would lead. With a foundation of hospitality from my parents and school experiences, I've seen firsthand how impactful good service can be. Recently, I read "Unreasonable Hospitality" by Will Guidara, a book that beautifully encapsulates the essence of hospitality. It highlights the art of service and its importance in creating memorable experiences. This reflection is a reminder of how we, as consultants, can embrace these principles to enhance our own industry. ✨ Read more https://lnkd.in/gfAMWh7x #Hospitality #ServiceIndustry #UnreasonableHospitality #Consulting #CustomerExperience #MindfulService

Hospitality isn't broken, but the way we approach it definitely is. It's no secret that Sydney's catastrophic rental market, coupled with rising labour and cost of goods has seen operating margins slashed from their heyday. So why are we mostly still opening venues the same way we did 10-15 years ago? Collaborative models like Chinatown Country Club, Famelia or Fabriccia that offer a retail or e-commerce element are starting to shine through. Who doesn't want to go for an afternoon aperitif and walk out with some pasta for dinner, wine for the weekend or even an Isabel Marrant jacket? Whilst we'll mourn seminal places like Cornersmith, we're excited to see the evolution of the food and beverage space as innovative operators find new ways to overcome the big hurdles facing them. Crisis precipitates change; and we're here for it.

In the hospitality industry, especially at our inns, we have the unique opportunity to connect with people from all walks of life. Every day, we hear stories about their families, their history, and the journeys that brought them to our corner of the world. But our role goes beyond just providing a place to stay—we're also their guides, their local experts. Guests rely on us to recommend the best spots to grab coffee, indulge in a lobster roll, or find that perfect slice of pizza. They trust us to share our favorite hiking trails, shopping destinations, and must-see attractions. This influence is powerful. It allows us to shape their experience and contribute to the memories they’ll carry home. But it’s also an incredible opportunity to support and uplift our fellow local businesses. By collaborating with other establishments, we create a network of mutual support—a community of businesses helping businesses. When we recommend a local shop, restaurant, or activity, we’re not just enhancing our guests’ experience; we’re also driving traffic to our neighbors, fostering a sense of community that benefits everyone. Our summers are short, and the bustling season is crucial for all of us. High traffic during these warmer months is what many of us depend on to sustain our businesses throughout the year. By working together and promoting what our region has to offer, we can ensure that both our guests and our local economy thrive. Collaboration isn’t just a strategy; it’s the key to a vibrant, resilient community that continues to grow and succeed year after year.

While you enjoy any Summer downtime we hope you are able to take at this time of year, you might also take a moment to contemplate the power and value of incorporating 'escape-like downtime' into your business community building... We've come up with 5 good reasons why regularly gathering, hospitable hospitality spaces can be so great for business... 1. They build stronger relationships. Sharing meals in relaxed communal environments helps foster deeper connections, build trust, rapport and can make business relationships more personal and durable. 2. They enhance stakeholder experience. Demonstrating and delivering hospitality moments may significantly enhance stakeholder experience of your business. Pleasant dining environments can leave a lasting positive impression, improve satisfaction levels and even increase the likelihood of more future business. 3. They facilitate open communication. Shared dining spaces encourage open and candid conversations, making it easier to express needs and concerns. This often leads to more transparent and productive conversations that may align well around interests, goals and expectations. 4. They promote collaboration. Bringing together various people in a communal dining space can create great, often effortless opportunities for collaboration. Partners and clients can mix with other businesses, potentially leading to new friendships, partnerships, joint ventures and mutually beneficial collaborative initiatives. 5. They can showcase company culture, values and expertise. Hosting connecting, collaborative dining spaces enables a company culture and area of interest or expertise to be experienced first hand. This can demonstrate and re-enforce a company's commitment to collaboration, inclusivity and innovative practices, which can strengthen a company's brand and appeal. Book your next peer space today! September represents the start of the short peer space dining season, from September to November. There's plenty of time still to get your next dining space season up and running by then. And we've now made getting started with a one-time or season of dining spaces, tailored to your business, easier than ever! Reach out when you're rested and ready to learn more - https://lnkd.in/dYmZ5-mF Check out our event series and spaces 'for Your company' information - https://lnkd.in/dWhMHu9n Or come and meet us at our next Dugout Dinner on September 18th, 'The art of listening'. Express interest here - https://lnkd.in/dHWf2udt #speakerspaces #dinnerspaces #peerpower #londonevents #internationalbusiness #thinkingbigger #artoflistening

When I finally got back to hosting dining spaces last year after some strange years unable to :( not only was it a funny feeling to be back :) I also recall thinking, as the first dinner played out: 'ooh, ok we're doing a good thing here!', and by the end of that first night: 'oh my goodness this is dynamic and I have at least 10 follow-up dialogues to progress with various people who were there, as a result of it!' So for me a big part of the pull to and attraction of using dining spaces as a strong business community building tool is 'the buzz of it all', the many things that come up, and new connections, and unexpected interactions that can occur at any given event. There is some kind of magic to it that hasn't changed over more than ten years since my first. But that's not all, so here's The Peer Space 5 good reasons for your business to invest in hospitable hospitality spaces... Feel free to reach out to learn more about how we might be able help you get one up and running from next month. #speakerspaces #dinnerspaces #peerpower #londonevents #internationalbusiness #thinkingbigger #artoflistening

We are thrilled to announce that Procure Impact and the American Hotel & Lodging Association, the largest hotel association in the United States, have launched the Dignity of Work Pledge, an initiative to create 100,000 hours of paid employment for overlooked populations. Click here for the press release: https://lnkd.in/eK2C6TxV By taking the pledge, hospitality companies commit to increasing the percentage of their purchases made with vendors on Procure Impact's platform and to regularly report their progress, which will be shared on AHLA’s Responsible Stay website. 🌍 Why Responsible Sourcing Matters: A job is a key step in helping transition someone from financial insecurity to self-sufficiency. When you purchase products that create work for our most vulnerable populations, you transform lives and stabilize communities. 🚀 Our Initiative: The hospitality sector is uniquely positioned to harness its purchasing power to create authentic guest experiences and impact millions of lives in the process. We applaud the eight founding partners who have already signed the pledge, companies that continue to demonstrate their deep commitment to meaningful action in the communities they serve. Thank you to Sage Hospitality Group, Davidson Hospitality Group, Pyramid Global Hospitality, Pacific Hospitality Group, CoralTree Hospitality, 21c Museum Hotels, Atrium Hospitality, and Modus by PM Hotel Group. 🤝 Join the Movement: We invite all stakeholders within the hospitality sector to join us on this transformative journey. Together, we can create a tidal wave of change in corporate America that demonstrates what it truly means to build places and spaces of belonging, and uplift and empower the communities you serve in the process. 🔗 Get Involved: - Join our movement and take the pledge: https://lnkd.in/eKwySJiS - Learn more at https://lnkd.in/eFjBXfdg. #responsiblesourcing #ahla #procureimpact #dignityofworkpledge #supplierdiversity #hospitalitynews #socialprocurement