Michael Minichello's Blog (9)

So October 22nd was the last time that I blogged here at FohBoh and I know the millions of you that have read this have been dieing with anticipation as to what I have been doing. Actually my wife Kelly is really the only one that reads anything I write but it made me feel good to write that sentence. Those of you that know me know that I am a little bit of a talker (ok a lot of a bit) and not so much a writer. I can write but it takes a long time because I write the way I talk and that is…

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So you just started dating someone new. How long until you introduce them to your friends or your family. Do you do it right away or do you wait just because you are not sure? It could be a number of scenarios, you love your friends and family but you are not sure about how they will be received. Or you are not sure whether your new date would be welcome into the inner circle. A referral program is similar to dating someone new. We all know that a solid referral program pays in both…

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I was reading a blog about Share Our Strength and my 13 year old Julia is hanging over my shoulder with curiosity. I asked her, "Did you know that there are more than 17 million children, nearly 1 in every 4, that struggle with hunger? When you are home having your daily bowl of ice cream there are other children that may not even have access to a meal of any sorts." She…

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So I met with some clients this week and the topic was “What can we do different to attract better candidates?” Such a loaded question. So we went through the usual list:…

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This week at the NRA Show there was a lot of chatter about the future of social media and how it will be used in the restaurant world. Right now most, like myself, are just trying to find our way. Youtube is five years old and growing up fast. Facebook, twitter, and all the rest are changing by the day if not minute. There is a new tool being created constantly. So how do you figure out what, how and when? Who cares, stop over thinking this and get in on the action before it is too late.…

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Maybe I should change the name of the blog to "Hospitality Raps". Here I am again talking about hospitality. So this weekend my washing machine dies. the gasket duhicky thing breaks and water goes everywhere. Not to panic (I did until I realized) the warranty is still good. So I call Sears "customer service" line and get put on hold for 30 minutes, great service...NOT!!!! When I finally get a real live human being on the line she tells me no problem we will have a "service" tech out tomorrow…

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For those of you in the industry at the higher levels that get to go home on Friday afternoon and not return until Monday, think about the people that make that possible. Think about what it was like when you were one of those people. Then think about how you can make it better, that is if you believe it has to get better.

If you don't think it has to get better you are working in a blind spot. The restaurant world is a "life style". Its nights, weekends, and holidays. While…

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The Restaurant/Hospitality world is the ultimate place to play the "Kevin Bacon" game. Everyone eventually leads back to someone who everyone knows. Well "hospitality" is the ultimate way I like to live my life. If you think about it no one likes to wait for service in a restaurant and absolutely no one likes to be hungry in a restaurant. I apply this theory to everyday encounters that people have. When my mechanic tells me that he is "waiting for the part to come in". I tell him next time…

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It is total chaos right now in Tiger’s world. I think it is crazy the level of attention this gets in the media. This is not a back page story or gossip column, this has been the leading story on major networks. Tiger has been on the front page of the NY Post 3 less days than 9/11 coverage. Whether you are following this or not we should always see what we can learn. Watch this and let me know what you think we can learn from Tiger?