Unreasonable Hospitality: The Remarkable Power of Giving People More Than They Expect (The Unreasonable Hospitality Collection)

This book was recommended by a colleague who heard the author, Will Guidara, on a podcast. My colleague enjoys coaching youth sports and found it interesting that a lot of the principles Guidara spoke of in running a restaurant were also very applicable in sports and coaching. That piqued my interest enough for me to start reading Unreasonable Hospitality. From the moment I picked up the book, it was hard to put down. Guidara keeps the reader engaged by beautifully weaving leadership principles with real stories where he showcased those principles in action which in turn led to greater success for his restaurant, Eleven Madison Park, ultimately culminating with winning the World’s Best Restaurant Award in 2017. I found the book delightingly insightful in two ways. First, consider the power of pattern thinking where a pattern identified in one area can be just as successful in an untapped market. I found so many patterns in how Guidara approaches hospitality and being a restauranteur to being highly successful in running a business. Principles such as How You Do One Thing is How You Do Everything and The 95/5 Rule (controlling costs intensely for 95% of your expenses and splurging with the remaining 5% to delight customers) should be doctrines for running every business. Second, I knew nothing of the internal workings of restaurants. Learning of the trials and tribulations along with the culture and processes within the restaurant world was so cool. I definitely have a new appreciation for the restaurant business and a newfound motivation to visit fine-dining establishments after reading the book. I recommend this book to anyone looking for a very entertaining true story on how to become the best restaurant in the world and/or a business leader looking for new approaches to drive performance and customer satisfaction.

Though the author comes from the restaurant industry, his premise about client care and the value of going above and beyond expectations is useful for anyone in any industry. This is one of my favorite business books of all time and I readily recommend it to professionals at all career levels. Guidara's storytelling will draw you in and his ideas are actionable. It is both an enjoyable and very practical read.

Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara is a game-changing book that left me truly inspired and filled with fresh perspectives on running a business. This captivating read not only relates to the hospitality industry but also offers valuable insights that can be applied to any type of business. Guidara's approach is refreshingly comprehensive. He urges readers to examine all aspects of their business with a critical eye, encouraging a shift in mindset that leads to exceptional results. The author's ability to articulate complex ideas in a relatable manner is commendable, making this book accessible to both industry professionals and entrepreneurs from various fields. What sets Unreasonable Hospitality apart is its emphasis on the human element. Guidara understands that success in business is not solely about the bottom line but about the relationships we build with our customers, employees, and partners. By weaving together personal anecdotes and real-world examples, he demonstrates the immense impact of genuine hospitality on the overall success of a business. As part of a book study group, we embarked on this literary journey together, and the response was unanimous: we loved it! Each chapter presented us with thought-provoking ideas and practical strategies that we could immediately implement in our own businesses. It served as a catalyst for stimulating discussions and motivated us to push boundaries, exceed expectations, and create memorable experiences for our customers. Unreasonable Hospitality is an invaluable resource for anyone seeking to redefine their approach to business. Guidara's insights go beyond the traditional concepts of customer service and delve into the art of creating meaningful connections and delivering extraordinary experiences. By embracing the principles outlined in this book, entrepreneurs and leaders can elevate their organizations to new heights of success. In conclusion, Unreasonable Hospitality is a must-read for individuals in any industry who strive for excellence in their businesses. Will Guidara's profound wisdom, engaging storytelling, and practical advice make this book an indispensable tool for entrepreneurs and industry professionals alike. I highly recommend it to anyone looking to revolutionize their business and cultivate a culture of unparalleled hospitality.

This was recommended to me by a colleague. It can be a little repetitive but it's a good story. Certain elements are abrupt (meeting his wife, splitting up from his business partner). But a lot of it is pretty fascinating and gives some good morale boosting ideas for folks with colleagues or teams of any kind.

Inspiring read for restauranteurs (I somehow ended up owning 9) and a great place to learn lessons of service and for business people in general concerning problem solving, creating positive employee relations, and marketing. Son of a restaurant industry Father who worked hard, Will went to Cornell (known for its hospitality specialty) entered the business and worked his way quickly to not only fostering the Top restaurant in the world, but also owning this restaurant with investors and a chef partner. His great outlook on life is shown in his excellent partnership with the chef, not easy, as well as his employee relationships mentoring and motivating. Probably the most interesting sections to me are his "over the top" attempts to WOW guests. stories like buying an NYC street hot dog and having the chef present on plates when he heard a guest mention his desire for this. Or, recognizing the many people with luggage are probably headed for the airport and presenting them unrequested with carry on food that will be much better than the airline food. At another restaurant in a NoMad hotel they hid liquor bottles in their library/bar books and if found, guests could keep. Or champagne flutes given to some guests who proposed at his restaurant. These were just some creative ideas of many more presented where they attempted to create "an above & beyond" experience. I once had a partner in a 1st year venture send me a clear brief case loaded with gold wrapping coins with chocolate inside. He turned out to be a bad partner but I never forgot the gift. This is what Unreasonable Hospitality is. This is a decently short book. It's fun. It's full of things to learn. like the statement "it feels GREAT, to make our guests feel good." That's what I take from this book. How do you inspire co-workers to offer above and beyond service? That's what creates lifetime guests. Read it! Great business book.

This is a great book for anyone working with people in whatever profession it just puts so clearly how important it is to treat these people who you are there to service no matter what the service is to make it an experience they will remember and want to repeat this is written as for a restaurant, but it’s for everything from a librarian to a healthcare worker to any shop owner or anyone who deals with people highly recommend everyone reading this book. It’ll put a smile on your face.

Inspiring. Was super fun reading and finding out some of the scenes in The Bear really happened. Have already begun bringing some of these ideas into my workplace.

Will Guidara’s Unreasonable Hospitality is nothing short of extraordinary. Our internal company book club recently read it, and it has already sparked dozens of changes in how we approach our work. This book is a masterclass on hospitality, and its lessons go far beyond the restaurant industry. Whether you’re running a business, managing a team, or simply looking for ways to create more meaningful connections, Guidara’s insights are truly game-changing. Guidara’s storytelling is as captivating as it is inspiring, with unforgettable examples of what happens when you go above and beyond for others. From turning a canceled vacation into a beach-themed dining experience to making snowfall magical for a family, the stories in this book demonstrate how far a little creativity and intentionality can go in transforming ordinary moments into extraordinary ones. What’s even more impactful is how these lessons apply internally—Guidara’s emphasis on recognizing and uplifting team members is a blueprint for building a positive, high-performing culture. This is one of the best books I’ve read in a long time, and its lessons have already elevated the way we think about customer service and leadership. Unreasonable Hospitality reminds us that every business can be a hospitality business and that the greatest magic happens when you prioritize people, both your customers and your team. I cannot recommend this book enough—it’s inspiring, practical, and will leave you eager to create extraordinary experiences in every aspect of your life and work.

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Libro comprato dopo averlo sentito citare in un podcast. Parla di come hanno trasformato radicalmente EMP da una steakhouse a 3 stelle michelin e ristorante numero 1 al mondo secondo la 50 best. Durante la narrazione però è letteralmente straripante di spunti, consigli ed esempi pratici su come migliorare principalmente la leadership ma come collega in generale secondo me. Io lavoro nel settore e quindi posso prendere spunto direttamente ma sono convinto che chiunque faccia un lavoro dove comunicazione, collaborazione e armonia sono fondamentali può trarre qualche spunto e consiglio da applicare alla propria situazione. Per quanto mi riguarda un capolavoro assoluto. Credo tra l'altro che da qualche tempo sia disponibile anche la versione ufficiale tradotta in italiano.

最後まで楽しく読めました。ホスピタリティを目指す方にオススメです

I loved reading this book! The author took you through their journey: the process they went through to gain the skills, to set processes in place, to create their desired culture and how they began to reinvent themselves over & over again to become the number one restaurant in the world. I loved going for the ride! It was very well written. Many of the things you learn in this book can be applied to your own business to make it even more customer focused. After the book: Now, Eleven Madison Place has continued its journey into becoming the only Michelin starred PLANT based restaurant. Their story is interweaved in the Netflix documentary called: You Are What You Eat: The Twin Experiment. It’s really Eye opening & a great journey to witness.