Hospitality Mavericks Podcast

I love speaking with guests who find different ways of building a business, and today’s guest is no exception. Carly Trisk-Grove is the Co-creator of OPOP (One Plate One Price), a social enterprise restaurant that offers a new model for casual dining. Carly is on a mission to find out how restaurants can be run for the benefit of the community they serve. Carly shares how restaurants can be a catalyst for change in society through three ways: health, work and combating loneliness. Tune in as we discuss having a national restaurant service, self-managed teams, the existential role of restaurants in society – and why everyone needs to work in hospitality for at least six monthsLinks:OPOPOPOP’s Instagram#114 Ari Weinzweig, Co-Founder of Zingerman's, on Self-Leadership#149 Julie Kleeman and Yeshi Jampa, Founders of Taste Tibet, on Connecting with Your CommunityConnect with the podcast:Join the Hospitality Mavericks newsletter: https://rb.gy/5rqyeq  A big thank you to our sponsor Bizimply who are he

Today’s guests – with no prior experience in hospitality – have excelled in their food business. Born and brought up in rural Tibet, Yeshi Jampa learned to cook nomadic food outdoors at a young age. He found his way to Oxford via India, picking up exciting new flavours along the way. They cook the finest, freshest, most authentic Tibetan food this side of the Himalayas. After first being a market stall, they now serve at festivals and private events, and have their own brick and mortar.Julie Kleeman and Yeshi Jampa, Founders of Taste Tibet, join the show to share how the husband and wife team have grown their independent food business. Tune in to learn more about building a loyal following, the life skills needed in hospitality and how they run their kitchen sustainably. This conversation will help remind you to take things more slowly, and not be afraid to ask “why not?” more often. Links:‘My Stir-fried Life’ by Ken HomAnthony Bourdhain #114 Ari Weinzweig, Co-Founder of Zingerman's, on Self-Le

“We don't need to be as busy as we need to be” – Anese Cavanaugh makes a great point in this episode to be conscious of where we spend our time and energy. Anese is the CEO of Active Choices, Inc., and author of several highly impactful books, which we explore more about on the show. Anese is also the creator of the IEP Method® (Intentional Energetic Presence®) and the Positive Energy Workplace™ Initiative, a strategist and advisor to leaders and organizations around the world and a keynote speaker.Today we dive into the importance of self-leadership, the power of not being busy for the sake of it, going slow to go fast, and the IEP Method®. We also visit some of the amazing work Anese and her team are doing with leaders – and how they help them make transformations that build a better culture that produces much better results. Links:‘Good To Great’ by Jim Collins‘Contagious Culture’ by Anese Cavanaugh‘The Leader You Will Be’ by Anese Cavanaugh#114 Ari Weinzweig, Co-Founder of Zingerman's, on Self-Leader

Calling in from India, Ashish Tulsian is the co-founder and CEO of POSist – the first company to provide a complete online POS solution for restaurants. Ashish kickstarted his entrepreneurial journey in 2007 by founding a telecom company right out of college. POSist came up when Ashish and co-founder Sakshi Tulsian started hunting for a software solution to automate their own restaurant but ended up creating one for themselves. They now help more than 10,000 restaurants across the world.Ashish boldly claims on the show that “everybody is going to be a tech company” – and he is right. It’s clear that companies that have moved the needle have leveraged technology, and restaurants are no exception. In this episode we explore doing one thing well, the issues with operating from high margins, what we can learn from other industries, and learning from India’s digital infrastructure.    Links:POSist: https://www.posist.com/Ashish’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashishtulsian#6: 'Only the

It’s time to build some robust changes. Today’s guest, Samantha Clarke, is on a mission to create the next generation of change-makers, carving out a happier way of working with more purpose, meaning and intention. Having been a previous guest on the show, it was fascinating to reflect on changes since our pre-pandemic conversation. Samantha runs workshops, talks, coaches, and is the CEO and Author of ‘Love It Or Leave It’.I found this conversation really impactful as Samantha reflects on the new way of leading. Through self-management and reflection, we need to ensure we have the energy and systems for long-term change. Tune in to learn more about looking out for your blind spots, the power of recharging, wind-down routines – and holding space for your team.Links:#34: Love It Or Leave It: Creating Workplace Happiness With Samantha Clarke, Happiness Consultant, Author and Founder of the Growth & Happiness School: https://hospitality-mavericks.captivate.fm/episode/34-love-it-or-leave-it-creating-workplace-

In this conversation, we get some great insights and advice on digital transformation from Nick Popovici the CEO and Co-Founder of Vita Mojo,In this conversation, Nick and Michael discuss the massive opportunity for operators to utilise data and implement digital tools to optimise performance across the business.The level adaption of digital tools in the industry The power of dataWho is leading when it comes to digital transformation Megatrends in hospitality technologyChallenges around implementing technologyThe need for organising work differentlyThe opportunity for tech power back of houseIf you are a hungry learner when it comes to digital transformation in hospitality I would recommend downloading a copy of the free report Digital Transformation of Hospitality report 2022´, created by Vita Mojo, Hospitality KAM-Media and us here at Hospitality Mavericks. We have interviewed more than 100 leaders across the hospitality industry to understand where they are, how they are adapting to change,

What’s it like to run a business with your closest family members? Brooks Kirchheimer, Co-Owner at Hearth and Hill, shares their approach to growing the business and building a unique culture that people want to support and join. Located in Park City, Utah, the independent restaurant has a revived take on contemporary American cuisine that's locally driven. Before opening his own restaurant business he worked for great hospitality businesses like Merriman's Hawaii, and as general manager for Robert Redford’s Sundance Mountain Resort. I had a great time catching up with Brooks to learn more about the future of the independent food scene, being a community restaurant, what growth means to them and the rise of comfort food. Links:‘The Great Game of Business’ by Bo Burlingham and Jack Stack: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0385348339 #114 Ari Weinzweig, Co-Founder of Zingerman's, on Self-Leadership: https://hospitality-mavericks.captivate.fm/episode/114 Hospitality and The Infinite Game #007: Small

Brindisa has been the home of Spanish food in the UK for over 30 years. It was set up by Monika Linton in the 1980s to share her love for quality Spanish produce to the UK, and her aim has always been to bring excellent food and ingredients from the most remote parts of Spain to Britain and to champion selected smaller producers and their skills.It was amazing to learn how she structures her business with 120 employees through open-book management. We explore working with small producers, growing your business in the right direction, the power of having an HR department, and eating strange foods as a child.Links:#114 Ari Weinzweig, Co-Founder of Zingerman's, on Self-Leadership: https://hospitality-mavericks.captivate.fm/episode/114 ‘The Great Game of Business’ by Bo Burlingham and Jack Stack: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0385348339 ‘The Greens Cookbook’ by Deborah Madison: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0553051954‘Brindisa: The True Food of Spain’ by Monika Linton: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0008244170/ 

Dino Joannides is a Senior Executive with over 25 years of experience in sales, marketing and general management. He has developed skills in creating a number of high performance teams as well as key relationships with customers, partners and distributors. Currently, he is the Advisor and Senior Executive at Bizimply and rezexe.In this fascinating discussion, we explore the new culture of bookings, being open-minded, how to think like an ally, how we can make the industry an employer of choice – and his former American accent. Links:‘Semplice’ by Dino Joannides: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1848094205 Dino’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dinojoannides1/ Dino’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gastro1/ Dino’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/gastro1 Connect with the podcast:Join the Hospitality Mavericks newsletter: https://rb.gy/5rqyeq  A big thank you to our sponsor Bizimply who are helping progressive leaders and operators making every shift run like clockwork. Head t

Tim Vasilakis, Founder and CEO of The Athenian street food brand, explains how he pivoted his business into a dark kitchen. Through their award-winning gyros, The Athenian has grown from a humble market stall to a small network of locations, earning the title ‘Deliveroo Restaurant of the Year 2020’. In this episode, we discuss reconsidering the positioning of your business, the rise of dark kitchens, focusing on your best dishes, their generous employee loyalty scheme – and the mouthwatering Greek cuisine. Links:‘Born a Crime’ by Trevor Noah: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0399588191 The Athenian’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theathenianuk/ The Athenian Plant Based’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theathenianukpb/ Tim’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-vasilakis-4275b5108The Athenian: https://www.theathenian.co.uk/#126 Simon Mitchell, CEO at KERB Food, on Nurturing Future Food Businesses: https://hospitality-mavericks.captivate.fm/episode/126 Connect with

As many of you know, ‘Good To Great’ by Jim Collins has had a huge impact on me and how I operate my business, so I couldn’t wait to have the ‘Good to Great’ Sherpa Dave Oakley on the show today. Dave helps leaders create breakthrough performance and cultures with his approach called LeadDifferent, and he is the CEO at DOC Inc.If you find your copy of ‘Good To Great’ is gathering dust on the shelf, or you're simply stuck with executing your ideas, this episode will give you some great practical wisdom about how to apply the leadership principles from Jim Collins. Tune in to this episode to learn more about Dave’s unique hiring process, having a do-not-do list, Packard's Law – and what Dave learnt from his high school Russian teacher.Links:‘Good To Great’ by Jim Collins: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0712676090/ ‘Built To Last’ by Jim Collins: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1844135845/ ‘Great By Choice’ by Jim Collins: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0062120999 ‘First, Break All The Rules’ by Marcus Buck

In this conversation, the insights of Joel Robinson, Digital & Technology Director at Azzurri Group which operates the Zizzi, Ask Italian & Coco di Mama brands, will make you reflect on and revisit your digital transformation journey. In this conversation, Joel and Michael dive into the definition of what digital transformation means and touch on these topics and their impact on business results:The power of having clear digital transformation outcomes Megatrends in hospitality technologyChallenges around implementing technologyThe role of tech in helping solve the staffing crisisCyber security If you are a hungry learner when it comes to digital transformation in hospitality I would recommend downloading a copy of the free report ‘DIgital Transformation of Hospitality’, created by Vita Mojo, Hospitality KAM-Media and us here at Hospitality Mavericks. We have interviewed more than 100 leaders across the hospitality industry to understand where they are, how they are adapting to cha

Lorraine Copes has a far and wide background in procurement and diversity and inclusion. She’s the Founder of Be ​​Inclusive Hospitality – a not-for-profit organisation with a mission to accelerate racial equality in the Hospitality sector – and a Procurement Consultant. I’ve had Lorraine on previously on the Hospitality and the Infinite Game series discuss the role of diversity and inclusion, so I’m excited to have Lorraine on again to explore how the supply chain is an extension of your business. In this episode we discuss the overall role of the supply chain in hospitality, building fair and transparent relationships, scrutinizing bottom line costs, running a social enterprise – and the future of sustainability.  Links:Hospitality and The Infinite Game #008: On Diversity and Inclusion with Lorraine Copes, Founder of Be Inclusive Hospitality: https://podcasts.apple.com/id/podcast/hospitality-and-the-infinite-game-008-on/id1350669816?i=1000539765687 #134 David Lockwood, MD of Neal's Yard

Josh Sharkey is the founder and CEO of meez, the recipe tool for professional chefs. With over 20 years of experience in the restaurant industry, Josh launched the culinary technology company in 2020 to provide chefs the home for all their recipes, menus, and ideas. The interactive database helps users ideate, organise, search, collaborate, share, and ultimately execute their vision.  Josh has learnt a lot about starting and scaling a startup, which he shares on the show. We also explore the books that have made an big impact on him, the role of AI, the disruption of hospital food – and how cultures are finally changing across kitchens.Links:Peter Drucker: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Peter-F-Drucker/e/B000AP61TE ‘Crossing the Chasm’ by Geoffrey Moore: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0062292986 ‘The Innovator's Dilemma’ by Clayton Christensen: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1633691780  ‘Play Bigger’ by Al Ramadan, Dave Peterson, Christopher Lochhead, Kevin Mane: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/

Today we’re joined with the Founder of The Pioneers, Matt Grimshaw. The Pioneers are a team of culture engineers who help scale-ups to design and build the People Operating System they need to drive rapid and sustainable growth. It was great having Matt on the show to discuss how your company culture is a source of competitive advantage.We explore how to avoid burnout when scaling, meta cultures, having the courage to be different, open book management, defining growth – and lessons learnt from a philosophy teacher.Links:‘Good to Great’ by Jim Collins: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0066620996/ ‘Team of Teams’ by Gen. Stanley McChrystal, Tantum Collins and David Silverman: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1591847486/The Pioneers: https://thepioneers.co.uk/ #80 Henry Stewart, Chief Happiness Officer at Happy, on Freedom and Trust: https://hospitality-mavericks.captivate.fm/episode/80 Connect with the podcast:Join the Hospitality Mavericks newsletter: https://rb.gy/5rqyeq  Download Your Free Copy o

Hourly makes hiring easier for everybody by turning the hiring process – from explore-to-offer – into a single mobile conversation that removes the dependency on legacy processes that can slow hiring. Today I’m joined by Hourly’s VP of Product Sales Alexandra Berger to learn more about how to best optimise the hiring process.In this discussion we explore what makes a good recruiting process, the power of human interaction, how to find candidates at high volume, positioning your employer brand – and what candidates are looking for in jobs. Links:#56 Heartfelt Hospitality with Neena Jivraj Stevenson, Chief Cultural Officer of Point A Hotels: ​​https://hospitality-mavericks.captivate.fm/episode/heartfelt-hospitality-with-neena-jivraj-stevenson Alexandra’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandrakayberger Hourly: https://www.hourly.io/ AMS: https://www.weareams.com/ Connect with the podcast:Join the Hospitality Mavericks newsletter: https://rb.gy/5rqyeq  Download Your Free Cop

It was a great pleasure for Michael to connect with an old colleague of his from McDonald’s to talk about digital transformation and how we as leaders can make it happen more effectively.In this conversation, Phil Le-Brun Enterprise Strategist at Amazon Web Services and the former international CIO at McDonald's shares how hospitality businesses now are so dependent on technology and when it breaks down it has huge consequences for business performance.Phil and Michael have a deep dive into digital transformation touching these subjects:The definition of digital transformation The need for a new leadership paradigm to be successful with digital transformationMegatrends in hospitality technologyChallenges around implementing technologyWe also talk about their next big move when it comes to Digital Transformation in restaurants and much more.If you are a hungry learner when it comes to digital transformation in hospitality I would recommend downloading a copy of the free report DIgital transformation of Ho

What does it take to make a business that works for you, and not the other way round? Find out what’s holding you back with today’s guest, Nick Cramp. He’s the author of ‘Better Before Bigger: Rethinking Business Success’ and a Transformation Coach. Having worked previously as a business owner, Nick understands that running a company can sometimes feel overwhelming. I had a great time speaking with Nick to learn more about his latest book. We also explore Nick’s coaching process with his clients, what to do when you hit a ‘business plateau’, scaling your story, and why you should dedicate at least one day a week stepping away from work and strategizing.Links:’Better Before Bigger’ by Nick Cramp: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B093WQFN74 ‘The Great Game of Business’ by Jack Stack and Bo Burlingham: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00DIZQVP2/  #134 David Lockwood, MD of Neal's Yard Dairy, on Having a 10-year Plan: https://www.hospitalitymavericks.com/podcast/episode/2879b6d8/134-david-lockwood-md-o

From chefs to bartenders, live musicians to DJs, HOMEtainment helps create memorable events from the comfort of your own home. Today I’m joined by the co-founder, Antoine Melon, who has over 25 years of experience in opening and running restaurants and hotels all over the world. Antoine launched HOMEtainment during the pandemic, so I can’t wait to learn more about his experiences.In this episode we explore how to stand out as a premium provider, the home entertainment market, how the HOMEtainment platform works and mental health in hospitality.  Links:HOMEtainment: https://www.hometainment.com/ #121 Daniel Hulme, Founder of On Air Dining, on Agility and creating Experiences at Home: https://hospitality-mavericks.captivate.fm/episode/121  Antoine’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/antoinemelon/ Connect with the podcast:Join the Hospitality Mavericks newsletter: https://rb.gy/5rqyeq  A big thank you to our sponsor Bizimply who are helping progressive leaders and oper

It’s great to have another deep dive into digital transformation with Hugo Engel who is Digital Executive at Leon restaurants where he is part of building the restaurant for the future.We will be talking about: how Leon is using digital ordering capabilities to serve and understand customers better.Michael and Hugo talk about:How to use digital ordering capabilities to serve and understand customers betterHow to put digital tools in the hands of the frontline How data can transform your customer exspirenceHow digital learning can improve the onboarding process The importance of stopping up and sorting out your tech stack.We also talk about their next big move when it comes to Digital Transformation in restaurants and much more.Please note that this interview was recorded back in Marts 2021, so lots of things have changed for both LEON & the industry.If you are a hungry learner when it comes to digital transformation in hospitality I would recommend downloading a copy of the free report DIgital t