The Power of Unreasonable Hospitality: How Putting Employees First Transforms Business Success

When people hear the word hospitality, they think about restaurants & hotels. But what if hospitality wasn’t just about guests what if it became the foundation for how businesses treat their employees?

Will Guidara, author of Unreasonable Hospitality, revolutionized the fine dining industry by creating extraordinary guest experiences. But his philosophy isn’t just for restaurants, it’s a game changer for all businesses.

We embrace this mindset in our consulting & strategy sessions to help businesses be even better, and here’s why: when employees feel truly valued, they perform better, stay longer, and drive company success in ways no strategy alone can achieve.

Why Employee Experience is the New Competitive Advantage

Traditional business models focus on customers & sales first, but companies that invest equally in their employees build something even more powerful, sustainable success. Here’s how an unreasonable hospitality approach improves business outcomes:

Employee Engagement Fuels Performance
Employees who feel appreciated and supported are more engaged in their work. Studies show engaged employees are 21% more productive & lead to 41% lower absenteeism (Gallup). This isn’t about keeping employees happy, it’s about having them invested in the company’s mission. When employees feel seen, they bring their best to work.

Retention is the Key to Long-Term Success
The cost of replacing an employee can be up to 2x their annual salary (SHRM). In competitive job markets, like California, retaining top talent is a financial & strategic priority. Investing in employees is not an expense, it’s an asset.

The Customer Experience Starts with the Employee Experience
Guidara’s philosophy was simple: If you take care of the team, they’ll take care of the guests. The same is true in any industry. When companies put effort into employee experience, it creates a ripple effect: employees feel inspired to bring that same level of care to customers, partners, and colleagues.

How to Implement Unreasonable Hospitality in Any Business

So, how can companies turn this philosophy into action?

• Start with Leadership
• Create Moments of Surprise and Delight
• Build a Culture of Growth
• Prioritize Well-Being
• Listen and Adapt

Final Thoughts: A Win-Win Approach

Embracing unreasonable hospitality isn’t about going over budget or bending over backward it’s about being intentional. A workplace where employees feel genuinely valued and cared for isn’t just a great place to work, it’s a place where people thrive, customers receive better service, and business grows.
We believe that taking care of employees isn’t just the right thing to do it’s the smartest business strategy.

If you are ready to build a business plan where employees and customers alike, feel the impact of extraordinary care, please reach out for a discovery meeting.