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Josiah Mackenzie

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Why Hospitality Creates Hope – Craig Poole

💬 Craig Poole discusses the transformative power of hospitality in revitalizing neglected areas. He emphasizes that hope is not just a wish but a result of deliberate, selfless actions and risk-taking. Leaders in hospitality can create hope by investing in people who are often overlooked. This episode highlights the role of hospitality as a profession focused on giving and building community. Poole's insights are valuable for those looking to implement positive change within the hospitality industry.
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When Places Are Broken, Hospitality Can Lead With Hope – Craig Poole

🏨 Josiah Mackenzie interviews Craig Poole, a three-time Hilton Connie Award winner and AHLA’s General Manager of the Year, about revitalizing struggling hotels and communities. Craig emphasizes changing perceptions to restore dignity and hope before financial gains. He highlights investing in people and community engagement to transform environments. 🏨✨
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What It Really Takes to Scale Hospitality: Culture and Leadership Lessons One Year After Our Blockbuster Deal – Rob Blood, Lark

📖 Rob Blood, Founder of Lark, revisits the company’s growth a year after its major deal with Life House. This episode centers on scaling hospitality, overcoming integration hurdles, and building culture under pressure. Emphasizing the operationalization of values, it highlights the role of storytelling in establishing identity and what leadership qualities are crucial amid complexity.
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“If We’re Not Using Technology, We’re Done”: A CEO’s Wake-Up Call for Hospitality – Agnelo Fernandes, Cote Hospitality

💻 Agnelo Fernandes, CEO of Cote Hospitality, shares insights from a recent trip to Northern California on the evolving role of technology in the hospitality industry. He emphasizes the critical shift towards AI-driven personalization and its impact on operational efficiency. With financial and operational pressures, there's a need to rethink labor and data strategies. This discussion highlights the non-negotiable aspects of adapting to rising expectations and tighter margins for industry leaders.
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What Our “52 Games a Year” Mindset Reveals About Leading Performance in Hospitality – Agnelo Fernandes, Cote Hospitality

🏨 Agnelo Fernandes, CEO of Cote Hospitality, discusses the challenges in the current hospitality industry due to flattening demand and rising costs. He highlights that labor conditions won’t normalize soon and stresses the importance of simplicity and adaptability for competitive advantage. Agnelo introduces the “52 Games a Year” mindset, viewing performance as a series of wins and losses. This people-first approach helps drive sustainable performance while preserving the essence of hospitality.
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How Hospitality Gave Me the Resilience to Fight Cancer – Craig Poole

🏨 Craig Poole shares insights from his extensive hospitality career, emphasizing resilience and mindset during his cancer battle. He highlights leadership values like gratitude, selflessness, adaptability, and compassion. Craig discusses the importance of "being behind" those you lead and how his philosophy has deepened through illness. This episode focuses on how hospitality equips individuals to meet life's challenges with strength and service.
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Inside the Q3 2025 Labor Report: Trends, Operator Insights, and What To Do Next [Sponsor Bonus]

📊 In 2025, hotel labor dynamics saw significant shifts. Wages, headcount, and overtime were examined, with overtime cut by 50% through strategic tools and housekeeping training. Peter’s Playbook emphasized part-time hiring, cross-training, and flexibility. Department-level productivity improvements focused on guest services, housekeeping, and management. Wage growth and labor cost per occupied room varied by role, with overtime trends signaling future labor strategies for 2026. Aligning labor with real-time demand became crucial.
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