Wellness Wednesday

We are bringing back our Wellness Wednesdays! This week's topic is "Keep It Simple."

My Motto is "Keep It Simple."

These days, things can seem so complicated and overwhelming. The more we can "keep it simple" – the easier to navigate each day.

My law of 7 and 3:

What are my top three priorities today?

#easydoesit

What are the top three things I can do today, that I have control over?

#onedayatatime

What are the three things I will not stress about, since I have no control over them?

#lettinggo

#surrender

#turnitover

What are the three things I am most grateful for today?

#gratitude

What are the three things I can do today that bring me joy?

#joy

What are the three things I can do tomorrow/next week/next month, that I need not do today?

#firstthingsfirst

What are my top three personal and spiritual values that I align with?

#tothineownselfbetrue

Following are twelve of my favorite quotes on simplicity:

"Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication." - Leonardo da Vinci

"Simplicity is the key to brilliance." - Bruce Lee

"Simplicity is not a simple thing." - Charlie Chaplin

"If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough." - Albert Einstein

"Nature is pleased with simplicity." - Isaac Newton

"Life is not complex. We are complex. Life is simple, and the simple thing is the right thing." - Oscar Wilde

"I didn't have time to write a short letter, so I wrote a long one instead." - Mark Twain

"The secret of happiness you see, is not found in seeking more, but in developing the capacity to enjoy less." - Socrates

"Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated." - Confucius

"To be simple is to be great." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

"Nothing is true, but that which is simple" - Johann Wolfgang

"Plain question and plain answer make the shortest road out of most perplexities." - Mark Twain

Great Hotel Brands

With Luis Tello

Following is my interview with Luis Tello, Assistant Director of Purchasing, The Beverly Hills Hotel and Bungalows and Hotel Bel-Air. Hope you enjoy!

Me: So you know in my last series, "Hospitality Heroes," I interviewed Veronica (Hotel Bel Air Boutique Clerk), who is such a pleasure to work with. You also were so kind to offer a great quote which I included in the main piece of that series. This last year and a half has been quite challenging for those in the hospitality arena as you know, and many have come out of this last year stronger, and learned a lot. What do you think are the most important things you have learned through all this so far?

Luis: I think patience. So much of what has gone on, and continues to go on is out of our control. What is in our control? Obviously we need to know patience, and to not stress about certain things. Understanding that things come up that are out of our control, and I control what I can and what I can't is really out of my hands. Each day is a blessing, and I am grateful first. At any moment, things can change. Gratitude is very important. This past year has made a lot of people better, and a lot of us are coming out better people.

My Takeaway:

Patience and gratitude! Also, letting go and surrendering are key takeaways, especially from this past year.

#patience

#gratitude

#bestrong

#bettertogether

#gratitude

#patience

#lettinggo

#surrender

Me: In my opinion, Dorchester Collection, is one of the best brands. I know that so many employees stay for so many years and there is loyalty, as well as longevity. I think this speaks volumes to the management, leadership, and also work culture at Dorchester.

Luis: Yes, indeed. There are over fifty people who are part of the Quarter Century Club. Another forty team members are here more than twenty. I've been here thirteen plus years.

Me: Yes, I think Arnel Ramirez who you work with, has been there a long time right? He is an awesome guy too!

Luis: Arnel is part of the Quarter Century Club, and has been here since the renovation in 1996. Without a doubt the work culture is great and the company is terrific to work for. This does indeed play a huge part in the retention of employees such as myself, Arnel, and many others. The longevity and the environment here is also great for our guests.

My Takeaway:

Great leaders, and great brands inspire and create loyalty, longevity among their people. This also creates loyalty, longevity among guests.

#longevity

#workculture

#corporateculture

#bettertogether

#corporateresponsibility

#leadership

Me: There is a quote on your website from Denise Flanders, who is the General Manager of Hotel Bel Air. She says "the emotional attachment that some have for Hotel Bel Air is so very special." I was so intrigued by this, as I feel emotions and emotional connections are extremely important in business. Working with many of the individuals at your hotel brand since the early 2000s, I know building, establishing and maintaining connections are important to your brand. Thoughts about this quote?

Luis: We genuinely care about people and understand the importance of emotional connections. Every person is different, and appreciates different things. It is the emotional connection that drives people to come back, and we build connections from an emotional level. We have many locals that come just for dinner, or for a night, and we respect the community and the community respects us. I believe we all do a great job here, in how we treat and service our guests, so they keep coming back.

My Takeaway:

Actions speak way louder than words. I still remember Regina Davis, who worked in the boutique at The Beverly Hills Hotel and Bungalows, who wrote me a handwritten thank you note on their pink and white striped stationery, back in 2005/6. To this day, I remember the impression that it made on me. I mentioned this to Luis during our interview, as he worked with Regina, and is familiar with that pink and white stationery. True connection, appreciation, and caring, will always be evident and felt on a deep level. This is why i believe that robots will never replace human connections!

#actionspeaklouderthanwords

#connection

#emotionalconnection

#appreciation

#caring

#environmentsthatfosterconnection

#norobots

#peoplepeople

Me: Knowing that we are all doing our best to navigate these times, and with almost everyone in our industry spread so thin, how do you prioritize your workload each day? Do you have a daily to do list? weekly calendar? monthly?

Luis: At the end of the day, I send an email to myself. I set it up as a draft, and I add to it during the day. I put on there the things that are still pending, any new projects that come in that I need to follow up on. Things that I did not get to, I set reminders for myself. I also recap what I took care of and what needs to get done. What is pending, done, what is urgent, etc...

My Takeaway:

Priorities are important and staying in the day. One day at a time works well for me, and I think what Luis does to manage his work load is a great and empowering practice. This way, one gets to review, and acknowledge what did get done, and what moves into the next day/future. Unreasonable expectations we may put on ourselves, or others' unreasonable expectations projected upon us, does not serve anyone well. Daily progress and process!

#dailyprogress

#onedayatatime

#workyourland

#breathe

#stayintheday

#enjoytheprocess

#embracetheprocess

Me: As you know, there are many delays with production, and all that is involved with that. I know your property does appreciate USA made products, and I think more and more are understanding the benefits of buying made in the USA. Thoughts on this?

Luis: Yes, with all the delays getting products from overseas, with freight, shortages, etc... I think buying USA is a better way to go about business. I think there is a shift over to USA/ locally made. In general, I believe people are starting to care more about where products are made, whereas in the past many looked at what is cheaper. Even with our food, we have been looking for more options, more local farmers markets, supporting local breweries, etc...

My Takeaway:

Supporting USA made and locally made/grown is hopefully a trend with many, that will continue.

#USAmade

#locallymade

#buylocal

#buyUSA

#madeintheUSA

Me: As you probably know from many of my other interviews, I love nature. Big fan of art and nature. Tell me a bit about your swan pond.

Luis: Yes, our historic swan lake. We have three swans in there. A majestic walk across the bridge and it transforms our guests beyond Los Angeles. Our plush gardens really help to make our guests feel like they are on a real get away, away from city life.

My Takeaway:

Along with the historic swan lake, Hotel Bel-Air has twelve acres of tropical gardens, 483 specimen trees, more than four thousand plants. One of my favorite Ralph Waldo Emerson quotes: "Accept the pace of nature – her secret is patience."

#ralphwaldoemerson

#patience

#flow

#nature

#simplicity

#beauty

I want to thank Luis for his time, as I truly enjoyed this interview. Luis is a joy, and a true professional! What an asset to the Dorchester brand!

Hotel Bel-Air is celebrating its 75th year anniversary this month August.

For more information on The Beverly Hills Hotel and Bungalows and Hotel Bel-Air, visit:

www.dorchestercollection.com/en/los-angeles/the-beverly-hills-hotel/legendary-bungalows/

Hospitality Hero

Zack Moghaddam

My first spin off interview of my "Hospitality Heroes"  piece, is with Zack Moghaddam,  who is Security and Parking Operations Manager at Balboa Bay Resort and Club in Newport Beach, CA.  He was kind enough to do a quick interview on July 4th weekend, to share some thoughts, insights, and perspectives.

Hope you enjoy, and possibly get a tidbit ( or more)  of wisdom,  to help you move forward on your journey in a "people" industry.

Me: So what is the one lesson you learned this past year working? If you had to pick one?

Zack: How important one's health is, and also  the other things that are  important  in life for me:  good health, faith in God,  family.

My takeaway: I think many of us, who already valued having good health, understand on a deeper level, that  it is the responsibility to one's own self  especially,  to make good decisions, and to have proper discernment regarding one's health and wellbeing.  Whether it is physical health, mental health, emotional health, spiritual health; we all make choices daily, on how we manage and hopefully thrive in these areas. 

#wellbeing

#goodhealth

#emotionalhealth

#mentalhealth

#spiritualhealth 

Me: Now that people are traveling, and this past year is behind us... with many lessons learned, and many challenges hopefully met, faced, and solved; what is one of the lessons that you would like to share about now moving forward? 

Zack: Mental Fortitude. I need to stay strong mentally, and remain positive. Staying positive, and keeping a positive mindset is imperative. Also the concept of being a 'good steward.' A 'good steward' to the industry. I am here to serve others, and give excellent guest service. The luxury guest experience is all about customer service, and being there for our guests.

My takeaway:

This last year, was especially all about mental fortitude and focus in our work. The concept Zack mentions about being a "good  steward" is significant. I believe we all have innate gifts, and talents; and we are here to be "good stewards" of what we have been blessed with. I believe we are here to  use our innate  gifts to share with others, as well as support and encourage others in our spheres of influence. 

There is a verse in the Bible, Proverbs 18:16 - "A man's gift makes room for him, And brings him before great men." I believe many in the hospitality industry, like Zack, are blessed with the gifts of loving others;  being of service; having a warm,  compassionate personality;  and a friendly demeanor. These traits are invaluable to an industry that was , and hopefully still is,  built upon service, hospitality, smiles, laughter, and genuine people who are authentically a pleasure to be around.

#mentalfortitude

#goodsteward

#innategifts

#naturaltalents 

Zack: Another lesson I learned, and still incorporate in my life and work,  is to take things one day at a time. I stay focused on the task at hand. I take one task at a time, and sometimes I take one hour at a time. I want to be excellent with what I do, and whatever the task, I want to do it with excellence. Now that people are traveling, and with the huge surge in guests coming here, as well as business demands; things can get very taxing – so one day at a time and continuing to deliver excellent guest service is at the forefront, and a priority.

My takeaway:

The "one day at a time" concept, and the "one hour at a time" concept I do believe many of us learned on such a deep level  this last year. It is definitely something to move forward with. 

For me, if I am not in the moment, and being present with what I am doing, I need to slow myself down. For me, "slower is always faster." I know this sounds like a "paradox" but it does work. When I take a moment to breathe, and slow things down;  I end up being more present, more efficient, more peaceful, and better able to engage with others, or accomplish the task at hand. This ends up being "faster" overall.

#onedayatatime

#onehouratatime

#slowerisfaster 

Me: So my last question, is about this "robot" culture...  

I notice when I call over to your Resort, there is always someone who answers the phone;  is friendly, respectful, and clearly  all about service. (Hence, maybe one of the reasons you are so busy over there with high occupancy). 

Other Resorts I have called, especially in the past couple months, and the people who answer the phone sound miserable, grumpy, and do not even know who is working at their own property.... and  then they forward  the call right to someone's voice mail or just hang up. 

Others I have called, guests have to press #1, for this; and #2 for that; etc.... For me,  I know that  I like speaking with a real person, with a friendly personality. This does not seem to be the "norm" anymore. Do you think as time goes by, the hospitality Industry will become more and more automated?

Zack: Well. I believe that one of the main factors as to why  our guests travel, and stay with us, is for the service. And yes, we are extremely busy with guests from all over, and this is good. We provide excellent service.  Myself included, I do not want to call a Resort and have the call go to some automation, press #1, press #2, etc... I prefer the industry does not move toward automation, as there still are people in our industry  who want to assist guests, and also members, as many Resorts also have members to serve as well.

My takeaway:

I agree 150% with Zack. There are still "people people" in this world, and especially in the hospitality arena.  These individuals  want to be of service, and engage with guests – making the whole travel experience a true pleasure and a  wonderful experience for those who are vacationing, traveling on business, or just having a stay-cation. Whatever the  travel plans... robots will never replace human interaction, human personality, and human warmth and compassion. 

#norobots

#compassion

#warmth

#service

Me: I want to thank Zack for this interview. It is abundantly clear,  that Zack  is a true "Hospitality Hero" - and I am blessed to know him. He has helped me much this past year, with his service, friendship, business, as well as presence.

If you want to learn more about Balboa Bay Resort- check out balboabayresort.com

#balboabayresort