Inspirational stories competition

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Richard Brown on February 24, 2010 at 2:03am

Dear Jose,

I love the discussion topic and yes you are right in a sector where we are constantly set standards the lack of spontaneity seems to have left the job, although standardization is rife I feel their is still great opportunities to make the guests day. The experience that stands out in my mind was when i was working as a F & B supervisor for the Hilton Manchester Deansgate and one day I was looking after breakfast in the restaurant when a family showed up the youngest of the group was clutching a bear and as i seated them i commented to the little girl how nice the bear was. The parents then went on to say their daughter did not want to leave her bear but they were afraid she would loose it whilst in Manchester. As I walked away a plan formulated in my mind to help the little girl and her parents, so as the began to leave the restaurant I went over to the little table and crouched down to the level of the little girl i then enquired to what her bear (tim was his name if i remember correctly) was doing for the day, she replied he was going to visit the science museum with her. looking rather sad i asked her if their was any chance he could stay and help me as we had a lot to do and were short staffed. she looked at me with a big smile on her face at the thought her bear could help me out and handed him over, i told her i would not work him too had and would make sure he got a break. the girl went off to the museum very happy and i smiled back as the parents thanked me. On my break i took the bear to the guests room and placed an empty cola bottle in his paws and a empty bag of crisps next to him with a note thanking the girl for allowing him to help and that he had been great. The next morning the girl came down with her parents and asked me did i need any more help today as she was going shopping (apparently bears dont like to shop!) i replied as he had been my best employee yesterday of course he could come back. That evening the girl returned to find him inside the shampoo bottles with a note saying i felt he deserved a soak so let him use the bath! the next morning was the families last day and the daughter came to say goodbye as she left, her parents also came over and thanked me for what i had done as it had stopped their daughter loosing her teddy which may have ruined the holiday. This is for me the reason i am in this industry, these little moments make it all worth while.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Ben McEwen on February 24, 2010 at 8:41am

Great story Richard!

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Neha Gupta on February 26, 2010 at 8:01pm

Really good story Richard

Ben McEwen said:

Great story Richard!

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Claudia on February 27, 2010 at 5:51am

I love that story, really nice.

Richard Brown said:

Dear Jose,

I love the discussion topic and yes you are right in a sector where we are constantly set standards the lack of spontaneity seems to have left the job, although standardization is rife I feel their is still great opportunities to make the guests day. The experience that stands out in my mind was when i was working as a F & B supervisor for the Hilton Manchester Deansgate and one day I was looking after breakfast in the restaurant when a family showed up the youngest of the group was clutching a bear and as i seated them i commented to the little girl how nice the bear was. The parents then went on to say their daughter did not want to leave her bear but they were afraid she would loose it whilst in Manchester. As I walked away a plan formulated in my mind to help the little girl and her parents, so as the began to leave the restaurant I went over to the little table and crouched down to the level of the little girl i then enquired to what her bear (tim was his name if i remember correctly) was doing for the day, she replied he was going to visit the science museum with her. looking rather sad i asked her if their was any chance he could stay and help me as we had a lot to do and were short staffed. she looked at me with a big smile on her face at the thought her bear could help me out and handed him over, i told her i would not work him too had and would make sure he got a break. the girl went off to the museum very happy and i smiled back as the parents thanked me. On my break i took the bear to the guests room and placed an empty cola bottle in his paws and a empty bag of crisps next to him with a note thanking the girl for allowing him to help and that he had been great. The next morning the girl came down with her parents and asked me did i need any more help today as she was going shopping (apparently bears dont like to shop!) i replied as he had been my best employee yesterday of course he could come back. That evening the girl returned to find him inside the shampoo bottles with a note saying i felt he deserved a soak so let him use the bath! the next morning was the families last day and the daughter came to say goodbye as she left, her parents also came over and thanked me for what i had done as it had stopped their daughter loosing her teddy which may have ruined the holiday. This is for me the reason i am in this industry, these little moments make it all worth while.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Claudia on February 27, 2010 at 5:56am

Not a story to contribute at the moment but I am listening to a really interesting audio book at the moment. It is called Linchpin by Seth Godin who writes also a very interesting blog. It is not especially about our hospitality business but points out that people should have the goal to be indispensable by trying to excel in their work and adding that special touch which isn't standard - just about what these stories are about.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Jose Ruiz on February 27, 2010 at 7:08am

Thanks Neha and Claudia for participating on the discussion. Why not find out a story from one of your colleagues and enter the competition? The story doesn't need to be yours as the aim is simply to showcase examples to inspire us all.
Richar, loved your story. Very nice indeed!

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Richard Brown on February 27, 2010 at 11:10pm

thank you Jose, I am going to ask around at uni for some more contributions.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Gill Nelson on March 2, 2010 at 10:48am

What a fabulous memory that little girl will have forever more. Your story is why so many of us love this industry - innovation and thinking on the spot!
If you are a budding author - this would make a fabulous children's book!!


Richard Brown said:

Dear Jose,

I love the discussion topic and yes you are right in a sector where we are constantly set standards the lack of spontaneity seems to have left the job, although standardization is rife I feel their is still great opportunities to make the guests day. The experience that stands out in my mind was when i was working as a F & B supervisor for the Hilton Manchester Deansgate and one day I was looking after breakfast in the restaurant when a family showed up the youngest of the group was clutching a bear and as i seated them i commented to the little girl how nice the bear was. The parents then went on to say their daughter did not want to leave her bear but they were afraid she would loose it whilst in Manchester. As I walked away a plan formulated in my mind to help the little girl and her parents, so as the began to leave the restaurant I went over to the little table and crouched down to the level of the little girl i then enquired to what her bear (tim was his name if i remember correctly) was doing for the day, she replied he was going to visit the science museum with her. looking rather sad i asked her if their was any chance he could stay and help me as we had a lot to do and were short staffed. she looked at me with a big smile on her face at the thought her bear could help me out and handed him over, i told her i would not work him too had and would make sure he got a break. the girl went off to the museum very happy and i smiled back as the parents thanked me. On my break i took the bear to the guests room and placed an empty cola bottle in his paws and a empty bag of crisps next to him with a note thanking the girl for allowing him to help and that he had been great. The next morning the girl came down with her parents and asked me did i need any more help today as she was going shopping (apparently bears dont like to shop!) i replied as he had been my best employee yesterday of course he could come back. That evening the girl returned to find him inside the shampoo bottles with a note saying i felt he deserved a soak so let him use the bath! the next morning was the families last day and the daughter came to say goodbye as she left, her parents also came over and thanked me for what i had done as it had stopped their daughter loosing her teddy which may have ruined the holiday. This is for me the reason i am in this industry, these little moments make it all worth while.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Richard Brown on March 2, 2010 at 3:06pm

Lol, thank you Gill glad you enjoyed it, I must say that I have added it to my book of memories so I can write my own Hotel Babylon in years to come.

Gill Nelson said:

What a fabulous memory that little girl will have forever more. Your story is why so many of us love this industry - innovation and thinking on the spot!
If you are a budding author - this would make a fabulous children's book!!


Richard Brown said:

Dear Jose,

I love the discussion topic and yes you are right in a sector where we are constantly set standards the lack of spontaneity seems to have left the job, although standardization is rife I feel their is still great opportunities to make the guests day. The experience that stands out in my mind was when i was working as a F & B supervisor for the Hilton Manchester Deansgate and one day I was looking after breakfast in the restaurant when a family showed up the youngest of the group was clutching a bear and as i seated them i commented to the little girl how nice the bear was. The parents then went on to say their daughter did not want to leave her bear but they were afraid she would loose it whilst in Manchester. As I walked away a plan formulated in my mind to help the little girl and her parents, so as the began to leave the restaurant I went over to the little table and crouched down to the level of the little girl i then enquired to what her bear (tim was his name if i remember correctly) was doing for the day, she replied he was going to visit the science museum with her. looking rather sad i asked her if their was any chance he could stay and help me as we had a lot to do and were short staffed. she looked at me with a big smile on her face at the thought her bear could help me out and handed him over, i told her i would not work him too had and would make sure he got a break. the girl went off to the museum very happy and i smiled back as the parents thanked me. On my break i took the bear to the guests room and placed an empty cola bottle in his paws and a empty bag of crisps next to him with a note thanking the girl for allowing him to help and that he had been great. The next morning the girl came down with her parents and asked me did i need any more help today as she was going shopping (apparently bears dont like to shop!) i replied as he had been my best employee yesterday of course he could come back. That evening the girl returned to find him inside the shampoo bottles with a note saying i felt he deserved a soak so let him use the bath! the next morning was the families last day and the daughter came to say goodbye as she left, her parents also came over and thanked me for what i had done as it had stopped their daughter loosing her teddy which may have ruined the holiday. This is for me the reason i am in this industry, these little moments make it all worth while.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Gill Nelson on March 2, 2010 at 4:56pm

Richard, your story is far too good for Hotel Babylon!

Richard Brown said:

Lol, thank you Gill glad you enjoyed it, I must say that I have added it to my book of memories so I can write my own Hotel Babylon in years to come.

Gill Nelson said:

What a fabulous memory that little girl will have forever more. Your story is why so many of us love this industry - innovation and thinking on the spot!
If you are a budding author - this would make a fabulous children's book!!


Richard Brown said:

Dear Jose,

I love the discussion topic and yes you are right in a sector where we are constantly set standards the lack of spontaneity seems to have left the job, although standardization is rife I feel their is still great opportunities to make the guests day. The experience that stands out in my mind was when i was working as a F & B supervisor for the Hilton Manchester Deansgate and one day I was looking after breakfast in the restaurant when a family showed up the youngest of the group was clutching a bear and as i seated them i commented to the little girl how nice the bear was. The parents then went on to say their daughter did not want to leave her bear but they were afraid she would loose it whilst in Manchester. As I walked away a plan formulated in my mind to help the little girl and her parents, so as the began to leave the restaurant I went over to the little table and crouched down to the level of the little girl i then enquired to what her bear (tim was his name if i remember correctly) was doing for the day, she replied he was going to visit the science museum with her. looking rather sad i asked her if their was any chance he could stay and help me as we had a lot to do and were short staffed. she looked at me with a big smile on her face at the thought her bear could help me out and handed him over, i told her i would not work him too had and would make sure he got a break. the girl went off to the museum very happy and i smiled back as the parents thanked me. On my break i took the bear to the guests room and placed an empty cola bottle in his paws and a empty bag of crisps next to him with a note thanking the girl for allowing him to help and that he had been great. The next morning the girl came down with her parents and asked me did i need any more help today as she was going shopping (apparently bears dont like to shop!) i replied as he had been my best employee yesterday of course he could come back. That evening the girl returned to find him inside the shampoo bottles with a note saying i felt he deserved a soak so let him use the bath! the next morning was the families last day and the daughter came to say goodbye as she left, her parents also came over and thanked me for what i had done as it had stopped their daughter loosing her teddy which may have ruined the holiday. This is for me the reason i am in this industry, these little moments make it all worth while.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Jose Ruiz on March 13, 2010 at 1:52pm

I will be delighted to present Richard Brown with a bottle of Champagne at our next hotcatUK Live event and look forward to hearing more inspirational stories.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Stanley D'Costa on April 11, 2010 at 11:13pm

I have just hared mine however it is under a new forum. and it is the story that vastly influenced my decision to pursue a career in the Hotel trade.

pleas follow the link and do comment on the forum.

http://www.hotcatuk.com/forum/topics/what-made-you-fall-in-love?xg_...

▶ Reply to This

▶ Reply to This

• ‹ Previous
• 1
• 2
• Next ›
• Page