Phase One

Phase One -- the first three levels of A Place of Hospitality -- are focused on activities that will gradually help operators (and their staff) become comfortable with the idea that the more they give, the more they get. Phase One focuses more on hospitable practices that will help member restaurants stand out from their competition.

Many enterprises demonstrate exceptional hospitality without really understanding the dynamic that causes that feeling to exist. In my experience, gaining a deeper understanding of the "why" behind the "what" can enhance the hospitality feeling, take most of the strain off daily operations and allow the culture of caring to outlive the current leadership. That insight can be powerful, but is probably more appropriate later in the process for those operators who want to expand their grasp of what is possible.

The first step to become certified as A Place of Hospitality is a full day workshop entitled "In Search of Hospitality: Finding the Missing Link." At the moment, this program is offered through state restaurant associations and foodservice distributors because the insanely low tuition requires larger groups just to make the numbers work. As soon as possible we will develop a format that does not require a group.

The workshop discusses the hospitality dynamic and how to achieve it along with an initial orientation to make sure everyone understands what sets A Place of Hospitality apart from other operations. Those who see the value in traveling this road must then qualify to be certified as A Place of Hospitality, starting at the One-Star level eventually progressing to the Six-Star level as they develop an increasingly more hospitable orientation.

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