Hospitality Mavericks Podcast

Fellow podcaster calling in from Canada, Shawn Soole is a serial entrepreneur and highly sought-after hospitality consultant. As Founder of Soole Hospitality Concepts, it’s his mission to make the industry better through education, training and marketing. He’s also co-authored two books and helped launch numerous highly-acclaimed bar and beverage programs, such as Little Jumbo (2013), OLO (2015), Cafe Mexico (2016) and Pagliacci’s (2018).In this episode we explore the power of consistency, the role of mastermind groups, open book management and reviewing the hospitality ecosystem. Shawn is a real grafter so I enjoy hearing where his passions have taken him.  Links:‘Good To Great’ by Jim Collins: https://www.amazon.com/Good-Great-Some-Companies-Others/dp/0066620996/ ‘Cocktail Culture’ by Shawn Soole: https://www.amazon.com/Cocktail-Culture-Recipes-Techniques-Behind/dp/192712994X/ ‘Great Northern Cocktails’ by Shawn Soole: https://www.amazon.com/Great-Northern-Cocktails-Shawn-Soole/dp/190743

In celebration of the Hospitality Mavericks Podcast’s 100th episode, I’m excited to share with you today an interview I had with a true hero of mine – Chip Conley! He was Airbnb’s Head of Global Hospitality and Strategy for four years, and is currently their Strategic Advisor for Hospitality and Leadership. He also founded Joie de Vivre Hospitality, which created and managed over 50 boutique hotels. He is currently the Founder of Modern Elder Academy, a wisdom school dedicated to helping people navigate midlife. He’s also the author of five books and an international speaker.In this candid conversation, we learn more about his time working closely with Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky, letting go of old identities, the future of co-living and navigating the world through our mid-life years – and lessons learnt from having died almost 9 times to date. Links:‘Wisdom at Work’ by Chip Conley: https://www.amazon.com/Wisdom-Work-Making-Modern-Elder/dp/0525572902/r ‘Emotional Equations’ by Chip Conley: https://www.

We live in a true paradox where we overproduce and over waste. Adam Smith is the founder and co-director of the multi-award-winning global initiative The Real Junk Food Project (TRJFP). Their mission is to revolutionise the disposal of avoidable food waste into landfill – the pioneering movement's manifesto is to “feed bellies, not bins”. Prior to this he was a professional chef, and he’s currently writing a book to be released in 2021.I really enjoyed speaking with Adam as I got to learn more about TRJFP’s mission, and how he practically applies kindness in his work place. In this conversation we also explore his angle on happiness, tackling big challenges through collaboration and the lessons he’s learnt from life’s hardships. Adam is a true inspiration with what life has thrown at him, so tune in!Links:Hospitality and The Infinite Game #004: No Planet B: https://www.hospitalitymavericks.com/podcast/episode/1dd9ed0b/hospitality-and-the-infinite-game-004-no-planet-bThe 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development

Planning is key to the success of any business. But how do you actually put a good plan in place? Today’s guest, Tim Meinhardt, is an expert on a goal-setting management system: OKRs. It stands for Objectives and Key Results. It’s something that I’ve implemented in the past, and I can’t wait to find out what you can do today.Tim leads a team of OKR experts at Atruity. They provide OKR Consulting to numerous organisations ranging from publicly traded companies to start ups. Through their proven methodology and numerous OKR Programs, they ensure effective implementation and management of OKR journeys.In this discussion we explore how OKRs have been helping businesses thrive during the pandemic. Tune in as we discuss why plans fail, striving for simplicity, remote working trends and business epiphany moments. This year is giving us the opportunity to reset, so let's start implementing some OKR strategies.Links:Atruity1.com: https://atruity1.com/ ‘Measure What Matters’ by John Doerr: https://www.amazon.co.uk

Peter Backman and Michael Tingsager have come together to create a series of conversations to help leaders in the food and drinks industry to get off the starting blocks as the world and the industry reopen.Michael and Peter talk about the impact the pandemic has had on food and drinks businesses, the challenges ahead and how to navigate them by putting a clear strategy in place.The topics for this conversation are broad covering city centre trading, delivery, technology, consumer behaviour, economic factors, talent and much more.Key takeaways from this episode are:The current impact on the world and the food drinks industry The delivery market is changing Challenges and opportunities of city centre tradingThe debt crisis in the industryHow the future of the industry might look 6-12 months from nowLinks:https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-backman-38305a6/https://www.peterbackmanfs.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaeltingsager/https://www.hospitalitymavericks.com/Connect with the podcast:Join the Ho

Mike Bausch finds that there are things that still translate from Day One of his business, Andolini's Pizzeria, based in Tulsa, Oklahoma. I brought Mike on to the show to understand his approach to growing a restaurant business through his very authentic manner – and how he makes such delicious pizzas.Mike started the pizzeria with his brother at the age of 22 – 6 months after graduating from college. 15 years later, it’s the leading pizzeria that’s turned into a true success during the pandemic. So much so, they’ve been able to run at full capacity.Mike’s enthusiasm is infectious. Tune in as we talk about getting mentors, POS system failures, key questions to ask yourself as an entrepreneur, and the art of not fitting in. As Mike says in the interview, “there’s always a better way”, so let’s keep on learning as business leaders.Links:‘Unsliced’ by Mike Bausch: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Unsliced-Stay-Whole-Pizzeria-Industry/dp/1544516657/ ‘Good To Great’ by Jim Collins: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Good-Great

Through supply chain technology, Domini’s business Tried and Supplied helps make local produce and sustainable procurement simple and affordable for foodservice buyers. As an expert in agroecology and building sustainable businesses, I had to invite Domini to the show to learn more about what the industry needs to do.We explore seasonal menus, local diets, soil quality and how agility is key to survive a pandemic. Join us as we started to plant some seeds about re-thinking the way we approach food as an industry.Links:Hospitality and The Infinite Game #004: No Planet B: https://www.hospitalitymavericks.com/podcast/episode/1dd9ed0b/hospitality-and-the-infinite-game-004-no-planet-b Tried and Supplied: https://triedandsupplied.com/ Oxford Real Farming Conference: https://orfc.org.uk/ Kiss The Ground: https://www.netflix.com/title/81321999Douglas McMaster: https://www.instagram.com/mcmasterchef/E5 Bakehouse: https://e5bakehouse.com/Sustainable Restaurant Association: https://thesra.org/Hodmedod’s:

As a former guest to the show, Ally Gordon and I go way back. In today’s candid conversation, we learn more about Ally’s coaching process and how you can get unstuck by simply reframing your mind. As a coach, it’s his mission to help people like you find clarity for your future and give you the tools to live a fulfilled and successful life. Prior to setting up his coaching practice, Ally has been a Senior Manager and Director in a number of businesses. He’s launched more than 55 hospitality businesses over his career, including Ole & Steen and Jamie Oliver’s Trattoria. Learn more about what to look for in a coach, what it’s like working with Jamie Oliver, how to commit to your goals, and how Ally overcame his personal life challenges. This interview was a great chance for us to reflect, and I hope this will help you spin the wheel for more positive behaviours that stick.Links:#7: Scaling a Danish Bakery Chain in London With Alastair Gordon: https://www.hospitalitymavericks.com/podcast/episode/33

Today we talk about the future. With over 25 years working in innovation, Elvin Turner joins the show to share how you can start implementing big strategy ideas that stick.Elvin Turner is an award-winning innovation expert and associate professor of innovation, entrepreneurship and marketing for MBA and executive education programmes. His clients include some of the world’s most innovative organisations in the finance, technology, music, drinks and publishing industries. He recently published his book ‘Be Less Zombie: How Great Companies Create Dynamic Innovation, Fearless Leadership and Passionate People’.Join us as we explore ways to create more time and space for innovation, what metrics to use, and how we can learn from others but still own the journey. Links:‘Good To Great’ by Jim Collins: https://www.amazon.com/Good-Great-Some-Companies-Others/dp/0066620996/  ‘Be Less Zombie’ by Elvin Turner: https://www.amazon.com/Less-Zombie-Transform-Innovation-Digitization/dp/0857088203 ‘Be Excel

Juliana Hahn is a specialised hospitality copywriter, after having worked in hotels across the world – from the Caribbean and Paris to Jordan and Bangkok. She’s worked with leading brands like Four Seasons, Radisson Blu, Pfizer and Ericsson, to name a few. Today we explore the long-term storytelling strategies. Tune in as we discuss the power of repeating the same story, how to communicate when you’re not operating, storytelling internally as a team. We also unpack some practical tips on updating your website and chat features.Links:The Do Lectures: https://thedolectures.com/ Honest Burgers: https://www.honestburgers.co.uk/ Aman: https://www.aman.com/ Generator Hostels: https://staygenerator.com/ HospitalityCopywriting.com: https://hospitality-copywriting.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julianahahn/ #81 Dhilon Solanki, UK & EMEA Director at Sprout, on Customer Loyalty: https://www.hospitalitymavericks.com/podcast/episode/cc4ef272/81-dhilon-solanki-uk-and-emea-

When today’s guest, David Abraham, saw the stat a few years ago that 40% of US jobs could be done remotely, Outpost was a no brainer. Set up in 2016, Outpost is a hospitality brand delivering live, work and travel services to a community of remote workers. From teaching in Japan to working at the White House and Wall Street to NGOs, David has seen and done a lot.Calling in from Singapore, David shares his tips on how to build a strong community with interactive spaces. In this episode we explore the future for families being digital nomads, building partnerships, how we want to travel in the future, and the opportunities for hotels. Whilst a lot of us are in lockdown, this episode will embolden you for a brighter future when we can travel and collaborate in person again. Links:DestinationOutpost.co: https://destinationoutpost.co/ ‘The Elements of Power’ by David Abraham: https://www.amazon.com/Elements-Power-Gadgets-Struggle-Sustainable/dp/030022690X ‘Why We Sleep’ by David Walker: https://www.

Back in January 2016, Pim de Morree and Joost Minnaar quit their corporate jobs after their workplaces were too filled with too much inertia, bureaucracy and a lack of motivation. They started the blog Corporate Rebels and have been travelling the world to visit the most inspiring workplaces. I’m super excited to finally have Pim on the show as I’m a huge fan of their book, Corporate Rebels. As we know, hospitality doesn’t work in a linear way, so why do so many organise themselves in such a top-down way? I bring Pim on to the show to uncover the key principles of how to organise a truly successful business. Tune in as we discuss being a supportive leader, why tech projects often flop, and what businesses are doing to keep innovative – from nursing care homes to manufacturing plants.Links:‘Corporate Rebels’ by Pim de Morree and Joost MinnaarCorporate Rebels Blog: https://corporate-rebels.com/archives/ The 8 Trends: https://corporate-rebels.com/trends/ Honest Burgers: https://www.honestburgers.c

Dialling in from Toronto, Canada, SEO expert John Vuong runs through what you can do to be fully discoverable by your ideal audience. As John mentions, people on Google are at the buying stage of the process – whether it’s checking reviews, your menu, if you’re available for takeaway within the next five minutes, and so on. Being SEO-optimised is essential.John’s entrepreneurial spirit and experience working with more than 5,000 local business owners at Yellow Pages inspired him to start his own company, Local SEO Search, in 2013. It is a full-service search engine optimization (SEO) company that serves small businesses.In this episode, we explore what you can do as a business owner to get started with SEO. We also discuss how to manage SEO when you’re time-poor, the 14 digital touch points of your customer, embracing mistakes, and what John has learnt from working with thousands of small business owners throughout his careerLinks:LocalSEOSearch.com: https://www.localseosearch.ca/ ‘Post-Corona’ by Scott

I’ve wanted to have today’s guest on the show for a while now, and the day has finally arrived! Naimesh Patel is Co-Founder and CEO of Manju's, the family-run Indian restaurant in Brighton. Manju's is named after their 84 years old mother who is a chef at the restaurant – a lifelong dream now fulfilled. This was a deeply grounding interview where we unpack the importance of having an internal North Star.In our conversation we discuss their recruiting process, having on small menus, the reasons why hospitality businesses fail, and changing people’s perceptions of Indian food. As we enter 2021 with many challenges, we learn how Naimesh has practised patience whilst the restaurant has been closed since March 2020.Links:Peter Jones: How We Made Our Millions: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0175q02 Bill Ackman on the restaurant business: shorturl.at/iIRZ0  #29: Enriching Lives With Mowgli's Nisha Katona, Founder & MD of Mowgli Street Food: shorturl.at/cnzGNManjus.co.uk: http://manjus.co.uk/&nb

As we kick off with 2021, there’s a long road ahead of us. Larry Korman – design and travel extraordinaire – joins the show to share why he’s optimistic about the industry, and what you can do to keep innovating. AKA offers weekly and monthly stays in studio and one to two bedroom residences in beautiful buildings with personalised support. They have locations in NYC, Philadelphia, Washington DC, London and LA. It’s a division of Korman Communities, a four generation family-run real estate business since 1909 and pioneer of the furnished suite concept in 1966.I love Larry’s bullish energy, and his insatiable desire to build a great team. Tune in as we explore value propositions, innovating remotely, digital partnerships, humanising experiences and how AKA succeeds by looking at things 3-dimensionally. Links:AKA: https://www.stayaka.com/ Technogym: https://www.technogym.com/ Wolfgang Puck: https://twitter.com/wolfgangpuck #84 Jeremiah Tower, the Father of American Cuisine, on the Creat

Purpose and profit. Those two simple words are really not that simple in daily practice, but both are symbiotic for any business. In this episode we explore how companies can operate on a clear alignment of the two, and how we best define these terms.From Apple to Patagonia, being purpose-driven wins on the long-term. So what does it take for your purpose to be actionable, and not get swept away by lofty or delusional goals? Tune in to episode 6 as we discuss bringing people together, the distribution of wealth, knowing your why and tweaking a company’s direction.It’s clear there’s still so much more to discover. We’re on a mission to unpack how the hospitality industry can operate on a better model. Join in on our continued conversation by connecting with us through the links below. Resources mentioned:#002: Doughnut Economics: https://www.hospitalitymavericks.com/podcast/episode/299f7e23/hospitality-and-the-infinite-game-002-doughnut-economics‘The Infinite Game’ by Simon Sinek: https://www.amazon.co.uk

Connecting all the way from Bangkok, Thailand, I’m joined by Deepak Ohri, CEO Lebua Hotels and Resorts. Deepak is a real truth-seeker, so I really enjoyed hearing his gems of knowledge. As he mentions in this episode, “people are assets, not costs” – we need to look after our staff now more than ever. Deepak is an entrepreneur, business leader, public speaker, guest lecturer, and mentor. He joined Lebua Hotels and Resorts in 2003, where he helped drive its ambitious growth by keeping the human in the centre of everything. The Bangkok-based luxury hotels and restaurants company have locations in Thailand, India, and New Zealand.Join us as we explore the opportunities with 5G, the future of green luxury tourism, sticking to the basics, and what we can learn from The Godfather.Links:Lebua Hotels & Resorts: https://lebua.com/ #10: Leadership Advice From Andreas Karlsson, CEO of Sticks'n'Sushi: https://www.hospitalitymavericks.com/podcast/episode/c2d89fa2/10-leadership-advice-from-andreas-karlsson-ce

The B Corp movement envisions a global economy that uses business as a force for good. Businesses should not only generate returns, but also to create value for its customers, employees, community, and the environment. Through its rigorous assessments, there are now over 3,300 certified B Corporations across 150 industries in 71 countries.In this episode we explore the pragmatic way to assess if businesses are built as ‘good’. It’s clear that becoming a B Corp is no award show or marketing exercise as you need to continually improve to maintain your status. Join us as we discuss our scores from their assessment, how it has helped many businesses grow sustainably, and its implications for going mainstream.Resources mentioned:BCorporation.uk#001: Long-term Thinking#002: Doughnut Economics#003: Circular EconomyToast AleThe Bear KitchenB Corp Free Assessment Tool‘There Is No Planet B’ by Mike Berners-LeeGet in touch:Michael’s Email: michael@hospitalitymavericks.com David’s Email: david@objectspaceplace.com&n

Building trust and having the space to be creative is essential for any business to thrive. Today’s guests Kitty Newman and Klaudia Mitura have seen this impact operators firsthand, so I can’t wait to unpack what you can do to practically implement these values into your workplace.As co-hosts of &Happiness, a podcast which explores what makes us happy, Kitty and Klaudia are obsessed with storytelling. Alongside the podcast, Kitty is the Director of creative digital marketing agency TrapezeMedia, and Klaudia is a work psychologist and a learning and development specialist. They also provide online training, including the popular Hospitality Reset Menu.We discuss buying directly from brands, how restaurants track ROI from online marketing, the future of at-home restaurant experiences, and how to watch out for your ‘gremlins’.Links:& Happiness Podcast: https://www.andhappiness.co.uk/Brighton Coffee Works: https://www.instagram.com/brightoncoffeeworks/ Dirty Bones: https://dirty-bones.com/ Rice

We all know the climate crisis is a real problem. So what can the hospitality sector actually do? It’s a big challenge to tackle, and we certainly don’t have all the answers. We uncover our learnings from ‘No Planet B’ by Mike Berners-Lee – a really impactful book which reveals the hard facts and big-picture perspective on the environmental and economic challenges, as well as how we live and think. In this conversation, we reflect on our actions as business owners. From food waste, sourcing, energy consumption, to much more – there’s a lot for hospitality businesses to do. We discuss veganism, seasonal produce, rewilding, and the need for a framework to create a thriving place.Resources mentioned:‘There Is No Planet B: A Handbook for the Make or Break Years’ by Mike Berners-LeeA Life On Our PlanetAn Inconvenient TruthSRAAndrew StephenDouglas McMaster#002 Donut Economics‘Doughnut Economics’ by Kate RaworthWinnowSiloGiki appGet in touch:Michael’s Email: michael@hospitalitymavericks.com David’s Email: