Hospitality Mavericks Podcast

As host of the popular Slick Talk podcast and founding member of the Hospitality Game Changers Group, Wil Slickers is a content creator extraordinaire. Wil dedicates his time to individual and big name operators in the vacation rental and boutique hotel segments of hospitality while still growing the show and industry network globally. I’m super excited to pick Wil’s brains as he’s a true expert in service accommodation. It’s been a tumultuous year, but he suggests an interesting business opportunity for short-term rentals. With his concept of the Destinationaire, "a person who is wired to create remarkable experiences that are anticipated and shared", the industry is changing. Join our conversation as we explore sustainable lodging businesses, the impact of Airbnb in 2020, quality control and the need for more transparency in the industry.Links:The Slick Talk Podcast: https://www.slicktalkthepodcast.com/ Hospitality Mavericks: Interview With The Host, Michael Tingsager: https://www.slicktalkthepodc

The circular economy is about eliminating waste and having a continual use of resources. In today’s episode we explore how this powerful system for sustainability can be applied to the hospitality industry. From food waste to kitchen design, it bleeds into all areas that can be achieved through collaboration.Tune in as we explore how David is applying the principles of the circular economy to his hospitality design work. We also discuss where the big opportunities lie, the renting economy, what we can learn from brands like IKEA, and kitchens with no bins.Resources mentioned:#002: Doughnut EconomicsThe Ellen MacArthur FoundationRestorative RestaurantCleanConscienceGlobechain#66 Ali Aneizi, Founder of Tamweel Capital, Being an investor during a pandemicDouglas McMasterSiloAdam HandlingNomaWinnowSustainable Restaurant AssociationSRA Guide‘The Third Plate’ by Dan BarberGoldfinger FactoryThe Good Business Festival‘The Circular Economy: A Wealth of Flows’ by Ken Webster‘Cradle to Cradle’ by Michael Braungart and W

Today’s guest Jeremiah Tower needs little introduction. He’s an American celebrity chef who, along with Alice Waters and Wolfgang Puck, has been credited with pioneering the culinary style known as California cuisine. His career began at Chez Panisse, in California, after a chance job opportunity. He later opened his own restaurant, Stars, in San Francisco, with branches in Napa Valley, Palo Alto, Manila, and Singapore. His biographical documentary ‘Jeremiah Tower: The Last Magnificent’ was produced by Anthony Bourdain.Jeremiah champions in the interview that you need to “get out of your head and back into your mouth”. I had a great time picking Jeremiah’s brain about what the industry can do to thrive after the pandemic. It’s about bringing the greatest brains together. Tune in to learn about re-training staff, dealing with unfinished business, how to say yes – and when he had to build an extra table for customers one evening.Links:Chez Panisse: https://www.chezpanisse.com/1/Jeremiah Tower: The Last Mag

Our society has an obsession with growth, quite often neglecting the need to thrive. In today’s episode, we unpack a meaty but highly relevant book – ‘Doughnut Economics: Seven Ways to Think Like a 21st-Century Economist’ by Kate Raworth, to learn more about how we can fundamentally reframe our understanding of what economics is and does. Along the way, she points out how we can break our addiction to growth; redesign money, finance, and business to be in service to people; and create economies that are regenerative and distributive by design.Tune in as we pick our favourite myths that Kate Raworth dispels in the book, like the rational man and linear growth, and we reflect over some key questions to ask yourself, your team and in the boardroom. It’s time to think about building a better economy; we simply can’t ignore equality or sustainability. We hope you enjoy this conversation as we explore how we can all follow a human-centred approach to thriving.Resources mentioned:‘Doughnut Economics’ by Kate Raworth

There’s no doubt that there’s been a huge adoption of technology for hospitality businesses this year. What’s clear is that the hardest part of digital transformation is putting in place the systems and processes first. In this episode I catch up with Mark Gausden, Vice President EMEA & JAPAC at Oracle Food and Beverage, to learn more about what you need to be strategic with your technology.Oracle Food and Beverage is part of Oracle, a global leader in enterprise software and IT solutions. Their division breaks down the essential components of an optimised online ordering system – from online menu management to payment processing, kitchen coordination, and fulfillment for restaurants of all shapes and sizes. With over 25 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Mark Gausden has plenty to share in this interview. Tune in as we discuss the kind of companies that were quick to adopt technology during pandemic, takeout market trends, and new hole-in-the-wall concepts.Links:Join the Hospitality Ma

What type of hospitality industry do we actually want to create? Hospitality and The Infinite Game is a new podcast series focused on answering this one simple question. Tune in as Michael Tingsager of Hospitality Mavericks and David Chenery of Object Space Place discuss big ideas that might just set the foundation for a different model of success.Today’s episode is inspired by Simon Sinek’s ‘Infinite Game’, and what happens when we switch to a longer-term thinking mindset. We reflect over the casual dining crash, and other bad choices made by short-term thinking, and what we can learn from impactful brands like Patagonia. As business leaders it’s our duty to think big to better understand the system.Subscribe to the rest of the series as we cover topics such as the climate emergency, a circular economy, doughnut economics, B Corps, and how profit and purpose can co-exist. We make no claims to have all the answers. Far from it, in fact, but we hope these conversations might just get you thinking. We are learn

Hospitality and the Infinite Game is a new podcast series focused on answering one simple question….what type of hospitality industry do we actually want to create?In the series, Michael Tingsager of Hospitality Mavericks and David Chenery of Object Space Place discuss big ideas that might set the foundation for a different model of success. A model which would allow us to piece together a bold new way forward, where our businesses can thrive whilst making a positive impact on people, communities and the planet.The topics are broad, covering infinite mindedness, the climate emergency, a circular economy, doughnut economics, B-Corps and how profit and purpose can coexist. Each short, half-hour episode is aimed to be a primer on each subject to spark interest and debate. We make no claims to have all the answers, far from it in fact, but we hope these conversations might just get you thinking. We are learning and hopefully you will learn with us.So tune in and get ready to make your mark. The game is afoot

With over 18 years experience in the workforce management industry, Andreas Sjölund is a true expert when it comes to digitising the employee experience. As Co-Founder at Quinyx, their motto is “happy workforce, happy business”.Quinyx is a leading workforce management software. Their technology helps simplify scheduling, time reporting, communication, task management, budgeting and forecasting. They help some of the world’s biggest businesses, such as McDonald’s, DHL and Hilton.I was fascinated by what Andreas had to share about building great company culture with the help of technology. Join us as we explore how AI can help read customer trends, the lessons learnt from building his own company culture, how technology has evolved this year – and his former career as an ice hockey player. Links:Quinyx: https://www.quinyx.com/ Erik Fjellborg: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erikfjellborgWidget Brain: https://widgetbrain.com/ Digital Transformation with Nick Popovici Co-Founder and CEO Vita Mojo:

Dhilon Solanki has been in the hospitality industry for 15 years. As UK & EMEA Director at Sprout, he’s been busy up-serving their customers since the pandemic started. I’m excited to catch up with Dhilon to learn more about where technology and communication sits in the bigger picture for hospitality. From an idea captured on the back of a napkin by the three Founders in 2008, Sprout has since grown to now boast a global workforce to service our growing global client base. Headquartered in Melbourne, and proudly Australian, the company includes operations and offices in the UK and Vietnam. Sprout is a CRM system that simplifies the acquisition and management of customer data allowing marketers to focus on creating customer-centric communications. Join us as we discuss email marketing, focusing on your loyal customers, non-negotiables for daily routines and the rebirth of QR codes.Links:Join the Hospitality Mavericks newsletter: https://rb.gy/5rqyeq  Join the GameChanger Facebook Group

In this bonus episode CEO and Co-Founder of Vita Mojo, Nick Popovici gives an extensive overview of the wave of digital transformations that have to happen across the industry during the last 3-6 months.Nick shares his views on where the industry will be 3 years from now. He believes that the winners are the brands which have radically changed their approach to how they run and operate their businesses through technology.At the end of the interview, Nick will share some amazing advice on how leaders should approach digital transformation and what needs to be done now to stay ahead in the new now.This episode is brought to you by the wonderful people at Vita Mojo - the digital partners for ambitious operators, helping Leon, Nando’s Yo! Sushi, Boston Tea Party and other leading brands transform their businesses with technology.Email: nick.liddle@vitamojo.comLinks:https://www.linkedin.com/in/b-nick-popovici-902844101/https://www.vitamojo.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/vita-mojo-os/This podcast uses the foll

What is it that’s at the core of a truly happy workplace? This is a question I uncover with today’s guest, Henry Stewart, Chief Happiness Officer at Happy. Happy is an award winning Learning and Development organisation offering fun and engaging computer and management training. Happy's vision is outlined by Henry Stewart in his book, The Happy Manifesto. It outlines our 10 principles to create a happy, empowered workplace. It’s a book that has massively influenced the way I run my businesses, so I can’t wait to catch up with Henry.In this episode we explore the impacts of having a happy workplace. We discuss self-management, 33 ‘liberating structures’, being a good coach, how to overcome the challenge of ‘no going back’ – and why we need to be aware of hippos…Links:Join the Hospitality Mavericks newsletter: https://rb.gy/5rqyeq  Join the GameChanger Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/2GAvr2WHappy: https://www.happy.co.uk/ ‘The Happy Manifesto’ by Henry StewartHenry’s LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.

In this episode, Michael talks with experienced pub operator Kris Gumbrell, CEO of Brewhouse and Kitchen. They are an award-winning pub group and they operate more than 20 pubs spread all over the south of England with more in the pipeline.Kris talks about how the pandemic impacted them as a business and that they have used a people-first approach to ensure that they can get through this together.We also talk about what his view is when it comes to the future of food and drink and what role technology will play in the years to come. He also opens the lid on their plans in 2021.Links:https://www.brewhouseandkitchen.com/https://www.vitamojo.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/vita-mojo-os/Coming Back Stronger is brought to you by the wonderful people at Vita Mojo - the digital partners for ambitious operators, helping Leon, Yo! Sushi, Boston Tea Party and other leading brands transform their businesses with technology.This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.c

Calling in from San Diego, Shawn Walchef is a true maverick when it comes to scaling a restaurant digitally. Since the pandemic, his restaurant Cali Comfort BBQ has been three times more profitable than ever. Within 12 years, it’s gone from $300,000 losing money each year to making $3.3 million in 12 years. His secret? The smartphone.It’s common for people in hospitality to work 80 - 100 hours a week, but it just didn’t sit right. It’s time for restaurants to be reconfigured. Digital hospitality has a huge opportunity for all of us to harness. As we learn from Shawn, it takes consistency and time to learn how to craft your digital story to who you serve. Join our conversation as we discuss partnering with digital suppliers, podcasting, mastering digital marketing, and the days of the Yellow Pages. Links:Join the Hospitality Mavericks newsletter: https://rb.gy/5rqyeq  Join the GameChanger Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/2GAvr2WRestaurantowner.com: https://www.restaurantowner.com/  Resta

Having been in the hospitality industry for 50 years, today’s guest has seen how the industry can scale. Robin Sheppard launched Bespoke Hotels with Haydn Fentum in 2000, and the group now manages over 9,500 hotel rooms, 8,000 employees and £815 million of assets across the UK. As a soft brand, they’re testament to the sustainability of being bespoke and local.Robin's innovative approach to marketing has broadened the customer base of all Bespoke Hotels and led to several awards and accolades, most notably ‘The RAC Hotel of the Year Award’ and the Caterer and Hotelkeeper ‘Hotel of the Year Award. Join our conversation as we discuss developing new revenue streams, the bigger picture of the hotel industry from a political and social perspective, and the Blue Badge Access Awards.Links:Join the Hospitality Mavericks newsletter: https://rb.gy/5rqyeq  Join the GameChanger Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/2GAvr2WBook a call with Michael: https://www.hospitalitymavericks.com/book-a-chat Bespoke Hotels: h

Dialling in from Antigua, today’s guest has been instrumental in the making of the Hospitality Mavericks business. So I’m excited to bring on Nicole Antonio-Gadsdon, the ultimate HR rule breaker and expert in luxury hotels especially in the Caribbean. We connected a few years ago on LinkedIn, and instantly realised how aligned we are. So much so that we put together an article about how Mavericks will shake up the hospitality industry – and in this episode we explore if our predictions were correct.Nicole founded Banana Pepper HR to elevate the game for visionary hotel owners tired of the status quo with a more creative and integrated approach to human resources who want to build remarkable brands through their employees. She’s worked closely with the likes of Rosewood Hotel Group, Virgin Limited and Campbell Gray Hotels.Join our conversation as we discuss bouncing forward, “re-boarding” your staff, attracting different ways of thinking – and handling crises during Category 5 hurricanes and pandemics.Links:Jo

Over the past 25 years, Uncle John’s Bakery has remained a staple household name within the Afro-Caribbean Community, with a community expanding across the UK as well as around the world. Founded by his parents, today’s guest is Samuel Mensah, the MD of the company. From the very start, the ethos of the business is the Ghanian saying “Obeyeyie”, which means “things will get better”. And amidst the pandemic, this ethos has been their North Star.Uncle John’s Bakery retails in major supermarkets such as Morrisons, and has collaborated with brands including Dropbox, Ghana Party In The Park, Unicorn Theatre and many more. They have also received positive recognition from major institutions such as GUBA, 10 Downing Street, British Baker and Time Out magazines. I’m excited to have Samuel on the show to learn more about running a family business. In this conversation we explore being digitally accessible, the future of the high street, his visit to 10 Downing Street – and their signature sweet bread.Links:Euphor

JOIN THE COMMUNITY HERE - FACEBOOK:https://bit.ly/2GAvr2WStaring down the barrel of a 60% permanent closure rate...It's time to fix what's broken.It’s time to change the game.The hospitality industry is at a pivotal point and it has become painfully obvious that business acumen and strategic planning will matter just as much as resilience.There's no shortage of resources ranging from how to apply for loans to how to negotiate with your landlord. At some point, we will turn our sights towards the future and, when that time comes, we’ll need the tools and strategies to thrive, not just survive.  In the hospitality industry, we fix our own problems. This is no different. We’ve created a group called The Hospitality Game ChangersIt’s on Facebook, a platform you already use dailyIt’s a space just for us where we’re tackling the most difficult issues facing our industry and creating solutions. It’s updated daily with the most compelling audio, written and video content to make sur

Today’s guest, Victoria Williams, is on a life ambition to change the world for deaf people. Establishing her company terptree 14 years ago, their goal by 2025 is to positively impact 1 million deaf people’s lives. It’s ambitious, but Covid-19 has highlighted how it affects so many people. The innumerable challenges, such as mandatory face coverings, leave deaf people feeling even more isolated. It’s time for businesses to step up, and better serve this population.I’m excited to have Victoria on the show to learn more about the surprisingly simple things we can do, why tech is not the core solution, and how to better communicate with all members of our society.Links:Join the Hospitality Mavericks newsletter: https://rb.gy/5rqyeq  terptree: https://terptree.co.uk/ Terptree Blog: https://terptree.co.uk/news-articles/ Access To Work: https://www.gov.uk/access-to-work The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower: https://hiddendisabilitiesstore.com/ Zoom’s Accessibility: https://zoom.us/accessi

There’s often a big stigma behind fast food and QSR, but it’s the best way to be the biggest in the world. As former colleagues, I was super excited to catch up with Mark Hawthorne, Former CEO at McDonald's and Guzman y Gomez. With the fast-changing landscape, we need to rewrite the leadership playbook. Mark has spent decades working with the world leaders of QSR. Currently based in Australia, he’s built successful businesses around the world. Best-known for his forward-thinking approach to leadership, we explore the new opportunities from this new playing field.Join us as we discuss the restaurants doing well right now, mentors, and the biggest surprise he’s seen this year – as well as signing goals with ketchup handprints.Links:Join the Hospitality Mavericks newsletter: https://rb.gy/5rqyeq  #10: Leadership Advice From Andreas Karlsson, CEO of Sticks'n'Sushi: https://www.hospitalitymavericks.com/podcast/episode/c2d89fa2/10-leadership-advice-from-andreas-karlsson-ceo-of-sticksnsushi This

With this ongoing crisis, leaders need to develop new skills, such as compassion and a growth mindset, to navigate and rebuild this new landscape. When you feel safe within yourself as a leader, this projects to the rest of your team. In this episode I’m excited to speak with leadership development expert David Klaasen, Founder of Talent 4 Performance. Prior to launching his business in 2004, he was a trained chef and has experienced the intense environments hospitality can run on.Join us as we discuss self-leadership, handling long-term stress, and how everything is much better after a good night’s sleep. Links:Join the Hospitality Mavericks newsletter: https://rb.gy/5rqyeq  #40 Organisational and Individual Happiness with Lars Kure Juul: https://hospitality-mavericks.captivate.fm/episode/40-organisational-and-individual-happiness-with-lars-kure-juulDavid Rock's SCARF Model: https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/SCARF.htmThe Growth Mindset by Joshua Moore and Helen Glasgow: https://www.amazo