Towne Park’s Post

Is your business Floral Sustainable?

Is your business Floral Sustainable?

Some fun ways to see some enterprise examples of companies using Databricks to win their category with data and AI.

Yes to 100%

Valentine's Day Reflections: A Call for Genuine Hospitality and Inclusivity This Valentine's Day, a time that epitomizes love and togetherness, my wife and I experienced a moment that starkly contrasted these ideals during our visit to Wally's Fine Wine, Spirits & Gourmet Market 's Restaurant in Beverly Hills, Santa Monica. What unfolded serves as a poignant reminder that the path towards true inclusivity and understanding in both our society and the hospitality sector is ongoing and fraught with challenges. Initially, our evening was marred by discomfort as my wife, who had recently given birth, faced undue attention regarding her attire from the restaurant's host. This unwelcome scrutiny set a tone of unease that persisted, further compounded when she was inexplicably shadowed to the restroom, an overstep that breached privacy norms. My experience echoed this sentiment, as I felt rushed through our meal and later, unnervingly monitored by security staff. These incidents collectively portrayed an environment where we were not treated as welcome guests but rather viewed with undue suspicion. This experience compels us to reflect on the core values that define our public spaces and the silent messages conveyed through our actions and policies. It underscores the need for a critical examination of the hospitality standards and inclusivity principles we uphold in our communities and businesses. In response to our unsettling experience, which we suspect may not be unique, we urge Wally's and their affiliates, including Delta Air Lines and Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, to reassess their practices and ensure they align with their professed values. It is crucial for such instances to be openly condemned and thoroughly investigated to cultivate a space that genuinely embodies respect, dignity, and equality for all customers, regardless of their background. We encourage others to share their own stories of similar encounters, whether at Wally's or elsewhere, to illuminate areas in need of improvement and to collectively push for a hospitality industry that truly welcomes everyone. Until we see concrete steps taken to address and amend these issues, we recommend patrons to think twice before supporting establishments that do not fully embrace the inclusive values that enrich our communities. What would you have done if this happened to you or if you witnessed this happening to another person? Would you speak up or allow it to unfold in silence? #Hospitality #Inclusivity #CustomerExperience #socialresponsibility #valentinesday

Your experience is a more commonplace “Soup Du Jour” than many would admit. In 2022, record-breaking Hollywood director Ryan Coogler made international headlines, not for his work on Black Panther but for the now world-famous video of him being arrested because he “looked like a bank robber” –taking a large sum of money from his bank account, from inside his own banking institution. It gets better: the staffer most unsettled and alarmed by Mr.Coogler’s access to large capital- was someone who looked just like him. Watch, and go figure. Thomas Huxley was right.   Here’s the kicker: In the hospitality industry (and other market sectors, I’m sure), do we genuinely welcome and treat ourselves the way we desire to be treated? Easier said than done. I have been to establishments where precisely what you described was meted out by people who look like me and also by those who are themselves ethnic minorities of other groupings. Regardless of any dress code- just driven by stereotypes and presumptive caricatures. What does a demonstrably lower level of service accompanied by a visible uptick in negative non-verbal cues convey to non-minority clients and patrons? Yes, it cuts to the core when the experience is inflicted by someone who doesn’t look like us. It's far worse and longer lasting when exacted by persons who do.   D.E.I is often reflected onto non-minorities as a multi-generational sin and shame that can never be washed away regardless of how much good they do in this world for everyone. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are also mirrors. If all communities look into each of them, there is a litany of unaddressed issues continually rubberstamped and accepted within and across our own communities. We see it in various caste systems and the classism’s that exist and thrive as cultural and societal norms - even during times of crisis and disaster. We fail to recognize or acknowledge it as a D.E.I issue, but as a D.E.D (Dog Eat Dog) norm for acceptance.    How can we break that paradigm? – not easily, and not anytime soon. What we can do is start to change our own self-narratives, set expectations, and lay the foundation stones for a new normal. Your experience can serve as a helpful retrospect when delivering or receiving service. When we serve (and are served) by those who may look like us -or possibly have a similar lived experience; think about the way we did it and the non-verbal mannerisms we may amplify with it. Would it leave me with the same positive feeling as a patron or guest if the person meting out that mirror image treatment looked nothing like me?   I have no real expectation that the organizational behaviors and norms on full display Valentine’s night at that Beverly Hills establishment will miraculously reverse course because one man dared to have the “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner” courage to stand up and speak out on a silent acceptance. We can all dream and hope for change, but hope is a rocking chair panacea- not a strategy.

🌟 Embracing Gratitude in Hospitality 🌟HDG Legacy, LLC "Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, and to give thanks continuously. And because all things have contributed to your advancement, you should include all things in your gratitude." - Ralph Waldo Emerson In the dynamic world of hospitality, gratitude is not just a virtue but a powerful tool for success. Every guest interaction, every positive review, and every challenge overcome contributes to our growth and advancement. At HDG Legacy we celebrate each moment of gratitude, from the smiles at check-in to the thoughtful feedback that helps us improve. Let's continue to foster a culture of gratitude, where every team member and guest feels appreciated for their contributions. Together, we elevate hospitality experiences and create lasting impressions. #HospitalityExcellence #GratitudeInHospitality #TeamAppreciation #HDGLegacy

Click the link below to nominate your hospitality heroes!

Showing love and care on ethical grounds is a root to the heart of Hospitality.

Hospitality is the embodiment of love. It's the warmth, the care, the acts of kindness that bring love to life. #hospitalitydesign #hospitalitymanagement #hospitalityindustry #cr8careers #hospitalitylife