A way to solve a business problem by increasing generosity.
Will Guidara's framework, from Unreasonable Hospitality, pp. 178 to 191.
Name the problem
Identify the nagging problem, such as the awkward moment when the check arrives.
Reject the fallback
Do not push harder, be more efficient or cut back.
Ask what the hospitality solution is
Force yourself to find a solution that works because of your dedication to generosity, such as dropping the check with a full bottle of cognac.
Check the cost
These solutions are often cost-effective because few guests use the extra, yet the feeling of abundance remains.
From chapter: Chapter 17: Learning to Be Unreasonable, pp. 178–191
After the 50 Best disappointment, Guidara and Humm tell the whole team they want to be number one in the world and the team decides together to go for it. Guidara explains that the opposite of unreasonable hospitality is reasonable hospitality, and sets out to remove anything transactional from the dining room: the podium and terminals, a greeting by name researched by Googling, maitre d’s who confirm the reservation, and a ticketless coat check. A new menu listing only principal ingredients, and asking guests what they do not want to eat, turns ordering into a dialogue; Guidara works a station to find out why it fails. He opens the kitchen tour to every guest and solves the end of meal with a free bottle of cognac and the check, defining the hospitality solution.
