Hospitality Meets... with Phil Street

• #213 - Hospitality Meets Jason Simpson - Electric Vehicles, Expensive Toilet Paper, and Epic Morocco Misadventures

  What do really expensive toilet paper, waistcoat etiquette, and Ferraris getting smoked by Teslas all have in common? They’re just some of the unexpected gems from this week’s chat with Jason Simpson, CEO of Raw Charging, an all-around electric vehicle (EV) evangelist and holder of an epic journey.I joined Jason at Raw's London offices for a deep dive into the world of EV charging, hospitality, and the surprisingly dramatic shift from petrolhead to plug-in advocate. Along the way, we bust some major myths, including:🔋 Range Anxiety is Fake News – “EV charging anxiety disappears faster than a free bar at a wedding.”🏨 Hotels Without Chargers Are Missing a Trick – “Great, your guests can charge ‘just down the road’… instead of spending money in your bar.”🚗 Petrolheads Are in Crisis – “Ferrari had to go hybrid because Teslas kept humiliating them at traffic lights.”Oh, and Jason also casually reveals that you could lease an electric Lotus for £500 a month—which sent me into a mild existential crisis.From accidentally running a luxury hotel in Morocco (and nearly losing two stone in the process) to explaining why Premier Inns need to step up their charging game, this episode is packed with laughs, insights, and some serious food for thought.So, whether you’re an EV sceptic, an early adopter, or just here for the comedy of technological change, buckle up and plug in—this episode is a ride worth taking.🎧 Listen now, and don’t forget to subscribe!The GuestAs CEO of RAW Charging, Jason Simpson drives the company’s mission to deliver top-tier EV charging solutions for the leisure and hospitality industries. With a background in luxury travel, under Jason's leadership, RAW Charging has partnered with prominent names like Merlin Entertainments, Alton Towers, and LEGOLAND® to provide seamless, sustainable charging experiences that elevate guest satisfaction across leading leisure destinations.In a former life Jason was a GM of a Small Luxury Hotel’s property in Morocco, a long term investor in a regional chain of hotels with over 500 bedrooms acquired in 2008 by BDL Select and has spent an enormous amount of time in and around luxury hotels with his former partner who is a travel writer and author.Headline SponsorRotaCloud is the people management platform for shift-based teams.RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/philSilver SponsorFuel your passion for hospitality with the finest speciality coffee from Pact, proud sponsor of this episode! Pact Coffee works directly with smallholder farmers to bring exceptional, sustainably sourced coffee to UK consumers and businesses. As a special treat for listeners, Pact is offering 25% off your 1st, 3rd, and 5th orders - because we know once you taste Pact, you’ll never look back. Simply sign up to a subscription at pactcoffee.com and enter the code HOSPITALITYMEETS at the checkout. Looking for a coffee...

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• Bonus Episode #31 - Hospitality Meets Brant Menswar - Turning Pain Into Purpose

  My goodness have I got a chat and half for you for the weeks special.You are about to receive Mind blowing Learning, Authentic emotion, Unbelievable power and Easy to take action.All that and we fix politics as wellBack in November 2023 I had the privilege of appearing on the Thoughts that Rock Podcast, hosted by old friend of the show Jim Knight and today’s guest (And hopefully new friend of the show) Brant Menswar.Brants Journey will absolutely blow your mind.This conversation is a masterclass in resilience, reinvention, and the human spirit’s capacity to thrive despite adversity. Brant Menswar shares profound insights on how identifying your core values can unlock your potential, empowering you to live intentionally. Whether you’re navigating a career change, personal hardship, or searching for direction, Brant’s relatable anecdotes, actionable advice, and deeply authentic delivery make this discussion both inspiring and transformative!Enjoy!The GuestBest-selling author, former real-life rock star, and Top 10 motivational speaker, Brant Menswar, helps break down daunting long-term goals into powerful everyday moments giving everyone from the front line to the C-suite an opportunity to "own a moment" and create unstoppable momentum.His dynamic live events are a fusion of ground breaking research, interactive live music, powerful narratives and heart-moving video that ignite an emotional call to action among attendees. With more than a decade of strategic involvement with elite global brands, Brant has honed an unparalleled expertise in catalysing connection, sparking engagement, and driving exponential growth.Website - https://www.brantmenswar.com/The Book, Black Sheep - Get it on Hardcover, Audiobook or KindleFollow on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/brantmenswar/Headline PartnerRotaCloud is the people management platform for shift-based teams.RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/philSilver PartnerFuel your passion for hospitality with the finest speciality coffee from Pact, proud sponsor of this episode! Pact Coffee works directly with smallholder farmers to bring exceptional, sustainably sourced coffee to UK consumers and businesses. As a special treat for listeners, Pact is offering 25% off your 1st, 3rd, and 5th orders - because we know once you taste Pact, you’ll never look back. Simply sign up to a subscription at pactcoffee.com and enter the code HOSPITALITYMEETS at the checkout. Looking for a coffee solution for your café, restaurant, or hotel? Pact Coffee delivers unparalleled quality and consistency tailored to your business's...

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• #212 - Hospitality Meets Will Corby - Brewing Change and World Class Coffee

  I love coffee.That is all, bye!In all seriousness, I was beyond thrilled to sit down with Will Corby, the coffee connoisseur extraordinaire and Director of Coffee and Social Impact at Pact Coffee. From thrilling tales of gangland encounters to the intricacies of brewing the perfect cup, this episode is as much a caffeine kick as it is a heartfelt chat. Oh, and did we mention it’s full of laughs too? Dive into Will's journey from being a coffee hating mechanical engineer to a coffee aficionado, and learn what makes Pact Coffee not just a brand but a movement.Key Takeaways:A Sliding Doors Moment:Will's coffee epiphany happened with a cup that tasted like Werther’s Originals. One sip changed his life direction.From Engineering to Coffee:Discover how Will's background in mechanical engineering surprisingly aids in creating the perfect roast profile for Pact Coffee.The Americano Debate:Will’s disdain for the term “Americano" and his preference for long-brewed coffee. Learn why he believes this common coffee term should be banished forever.Brewing Espresso Like a Pro:Insight into the meticulous art of brewing perfect espresso and its meditative nature for Will.Social Impact and Farmers:How Pact Coffee works directly with farmers to produce some of the best coffee in the world, improving lives and building communities.Adventures in Risky Places:A heart-pounding tale from El Salvador involving armed gang members and a lucky escape.Collaboration Over Competition:From barista competitions to business, Will underscores the importance of sharing knowledge and the collective improvement that results.Decaf Done Right:The shift in the decaf coffee landscape, with Pact Coffee leading the charge to offer high-quality decaf options that taste just as good as the real thing.Memorable Quotes:“Acts of service are a love language.” - Will Corby"If I was to bring you a bottle of wine from the best estates in the world, you'd be talking about that wine costing thousands and thousands of pounds a bottle." - Will Corby“I love brewing espresso; it’s almost meditative.” - Will Corby“The best want to share everything. There’s no real hiding because collaboration breeds innovation and growth for everybody.” - Will CorbyConclusion:Don’t miss out on this episode packed with fascinating insights, valuable lessons, and plenty of laughs. Will Corby’s journey and his passion for coffee and social impact are sure to inspire, educate, and entertain you from start to finish. Whether you’re a coffee enthusiast or just love a good story, this episode has something for everyone.The GuestWill Corby, Director of Coffee & Social Impact at Pact Coffee. His role is to go and find farmers in 9 Countries across 3 continents who have the capacity to produce the best coffee in the world, incentivise and inform practices for it's cultivation and processing with local agronomists. He then imports that coffee to the UK where Pact develop individual roast profiles based on each coffees unique chemistry and ship them to one of the tens of thousands of home subscribers around the UK, Cafes, Hotels, Restaurants and Offices. Pacts goal is to improve the quality of every cup of coffee consumed in the UK, and use that as a way to engage the public with paying a price for that coffee that allows them to pay a prosperous price to coffee farmers around the world.Instagram -

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• Bonus Episode #30 - Hospitality Meets Clare Downes - Unleashing Potential through Coaching

  Welcome back, Hospitality Meets fans! In this delightful episode, I sat down with the effervescent Clare Downes, a dynamic executive coach and founder of Martlet.Life and who excels in guiding leaders to their full potential. We go on an engaging journey through Clare's fascinating career path—from her entrepreneurial roots on a farm, into the bustling world of food and drink, and finally to becoming an inspiring executive coach!Here’s a sneak peek of what’s in store:The Serendipitous Start: Discover how a casual comment on a previous guest's post (shoutout to Phil Murphy!) led to Clare joining our show. Coaching Unveiled: Clare breaks down the sometimes mysterious world of coaching. Learn about the nuanced distinctions between coaching, mentoring, and therapy. Trust us, your perception of these roles will never be the same again!Leadership Leap: Stepping up into a leadership role can be daunting. Clare tackles the topic head-on with insights that will make you rethink imposter syndrome A Journey of Adaptability: Phil and Clare discuss the human capacity for adaptation and reinvention. Whether you're feeling stuck or ready for growth, Clare’s wisdom will help you navigate your path with confidence.Coaching in Crisis: Clare shares some heart-warming success stories from her coaching career, particularly during the challenging times of COVID-19. It’s a rollercoaster of emotions, showcasing the resilience and growth of her clients.Sporty Analagies Galore: Athletes and business leaders have more in common than you think! Clare’s sporty analogies bring a refreshing and relatable perspective to personal and professional development.So, whether you're mulling over a career change, stepping into a new leadership role, or simply curious about coaching, this episode has something for everyone. Sit back, relax, and join us for an hour of inspiration.Thank you for tuning in, and as always, stay curious and keep growing! 🎙️✨P.S. Don't forget to leave us a review and share this episode with anyone who might need a little nudge toward greatness!The GuestConnect on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/clare-downes-07802015/Website - https://www.martlet.life/Headline PartnerRotaCloud is the people management platform for shift-based teams.RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/philSilver PartnerFuel your passion for hospitality with the finest speciality coffee from Pact, proud sponsor of this episode! Pact Coffee works directly with smallholder farmers to bring exceptional, sustainably sourced coffee to UK consumers and businesses. As a special treat for listeners, Pact is offering 25% off your 1st, 3rd, and 5th orders - because we know once you taste Pact, you’ll never look back. Simply sign up to a subscription at pactcoffee.com and enter the code HOSPITALITYMEETS at the checkout. Looking for a coffee...

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• #211 - Hospitality Meets Barry Dawson - Bots and Balances, the Future of Hotel Finance

  This week I sat down with one of my oldest clients and friends, Barry Dawson, the Senior Vice President of Finance at Aimbridge Hospitality EMEA, to explore the intriguing world of finance in the hospitality industry. Amidst the humour and light-hearted banter, they uncover some serious gems about how technology and automation are revolutionising hospitality and finance.What You'll Hear in This Episode:An Unexpected Journey:Discover how Barry stumbled into the world of finance during a university placement, proving that sometimes the best career paths are the ones we don't plan.The tale of how covering for a sick colleague led Barry to a fulfilling career in hospitality finance.Tech Integration with a Dash of Humour:The fascinating role of Robotic Process Automation (RPA) in transforming finance operations, sprinkled with Barry's entertaining anecdotes.How Aimbridge's finance team went from managing a couple of hundred statements to around 10-12,000, like financial superheroes on a caffeine high!Leadership Lessons and Chuckles:Barry’s reflections on leadership, mentorship, and the importance of being open to new opportunities—served with a side of humour.Stories about the larger-than-life characters he’s encountered in his journey, and how the dynamic has changed over time.Adapting to Global Crises:Insights into navigating business challenges during the credit crunch and COVID-19, while keeping morale high with a bit of laughter.Barry’s perspective on the importance of resilience, leadership, and humour, especially during tough times.Finance Roles in Stereovision:Barry demystifies the perception of finance being dull, highlighting the charm and character within the field.Amusing comparisons between finance roles and iconic scenes from "Toy Story," bringing a quirky spin to otherwise mundane tasks.Barry’s Pessimistic Optimism:A candid look at Barry’s unique approach to pessimism: starting from the worst-case scenario and being pleasantly surprised by positive outcomes.The importance of thoroughness and detail in finance, with humorous stories about past mistakes and lessons learned.The Future of Hospitality Finance:A look at how technology will continue to shape hospitality finance roles, making them more dynamic and engaging.Phil and Barry's predictions on the evolving work-life balance within the industry post-COVID-19Tune in to hear Phil and Barry's engaging conversation that's sure to leave you with a smile and newfound respect for the unsung heroes of hospitality finance.Subscribe and Share:If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to subscribe and share it with your friends and colleagues. Leave us a review and let us know what you think!The GuestBarry Dawson is the Senior Vice President of Finance for Aimbridge Hospitality. My role is responsible for the Corporate finance function of Aimbridge as well as overall responsibility for the hotel finance function and business performancehttps://www.linkedin.com/in/barry-dawson-27bba53/Headline SponsorRotaCloud is the people management platform for shift-based teams.RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas,...

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