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Josiah Mackenzie

1124 posts
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  • 9 min

The Power of Recognition, Awards & What I’ve Learned From The Hospitality Hero – Steven Hesketh

📚 Steven Hesketh, CEO of Savvy Hotel Group, celebrates Labor Day and National Hotel Employee Day by highlighting the importance of recognition in hospitality. At 15, Steven's career began in Australia, where his boss and aunt inspired his passion for hospitality. Now, he runs the Liverpool Hospitality People Awards and Hospitality Hero, emphasizing recognition through nominations, storytelling, and interviews. His work with SEN schools showcases how simple acts, like a bed-making competition, can inspire and transform lives.
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  • 7 min

The Beauty of Hospitality Work and the Power of Kindness – Steven Hesketh

📚 September 2025: Steven releases a children's book illustrating diverse hospitality careers, aiming to spark interest in the industry. COVID-19's impact on hospitality inspired this initiative. Steven notes that traditional school systems lack vocational inspiration and emphasizes that hospitality fosters connection and kindness—critical traits amidst growing technology and cultural shifts. With AI, services like personalized greetings enhance guest experiences, but human kindness remains irreplaceable, making hospitality an evergreen career choice.
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  • 1 min

What It Takes to Be a Great Hospitality Executive – Jon Tisch

📖 Jonathan Tisch, Executive Chairman of Loews Hotels, reflects on the qualities of great hospitality executives. He shares insights with Emily Goldfischer, founder of Hertelier, highlighting the importance of communication, design, and storytelling in hospitality leadership. Tisch emphasizes that every job offers valuable lessons and that responsibility extends beyond mere "giving back." This conversation provides valuable leadership guidance for hospitality professionals at any career stage.
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  • 1 min

The Right Person for the Job: How Women Leaders Drove Loews Hotels’ Success – Jon Tisch

📍 Jonathan Tisch, Executive Chairman of Loews Hotels, emphasizes his leadership approach of hiring the right person for each job, which has facilitated women advancing into senior roles. Influenced by family and colleagues, Tisch acknowledges the significant contributions of talented women in the growth of Loews Hotels. This discussion is hosted by Emily Goldfischer, founder of hertelier. Music for the episode is by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound.
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  • 1 min

Making The Case for Travel: From Power Breakfasts to Capitol Hill – Jon Tisch

🏨 Jonathan Tisch, Executive Chairman of Loews Hotels, discusses the economic power of travel and tourism in the U.S., highlighting its job creation surpassing sectors like manufacturing. Tisch argues for increased industry advocacy, especially in light of major events like the World Cup and LA Olympics. He shares insights from his experience, including lobbying post-9/11, emphasizing the need for hospitality leaders to inform policymakers. This was hosted by Emily Goldfischer, editor-in-chief of hertelier.
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  • 5 min

Jon Tisch: What 45 Years at Loews Hotels Taught Me

🏨 Jon, starting his career in fall 1975, completed an internship at WBZ TV and graduated from Tufts in May 1976 to become a TV producer. He joined Loews Hotels in January 1980 and announced his retirement for December 31, 2025, marking a 45-year career. Loews operates 24 hotels with 14,000 rooms. Jon emphasizes the importance of team member relationships and community impact, implementing initiatives like renaming the “back of the house” to the “heart of the house” to highlight employee value.
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  • 1 min

How Hospitality Leaders Can Get Stuff Done: Purpose, Clarity, Trust – Amy Yip

📚 Amy Yip, an executive coach and TEDx speaker, discusses key leadership strategies. She emphasizes the importance of purpose in driving productivity, effective communication to avoid breakdowns, and conflict as a catalyst for innovation. Google’s research highlights trust as the most crucial factor in team effectiveness. Leaders in hospitality can learn to foster a culture of psychological safety to enhance team contribution and alignment. Practical insights can be applied to create high-performing teams.
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  • 1 min

Leadership vs. Management: The Career-Defining Shift Amy Yip Learned at Google

📑 Amy Yip, former Google global food program leader, now coaches leaders at Amazon and Verizon. She emphasizes moving from management to authentic leadership, focusing on trust and inspiration. Mentors, including a Google VP, encouraged her growth through challenging opportunities. Her experience highlights leadership as fostering potential and thriving environments.
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  • 1 min

When Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney Bought Wrexham AFC, This Hotelier Made the Most of the Moment: Steven Hesketh

🏟 Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney's purchase of Wrexham AFC focused global attention on a small Welsh community. Steven Hesketh, CEO of Savvy Hotel Group, shares how local hospitality operators collaborated to leverage this attention for regional growth. This initiative emphasized placemaking and community pride. The podcast also highlights innovative hospitality strategies, encouraging industry professionals to adapt these ideas for business transformation.
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