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“I approached the business of innkeeping from a customer’s perspective. I was the host, and the customers were my houseguests. . . . If we give them good value, they will unhesitatingly pay what they think it’s worth. That was the first strategy, and it continues to this day.”
How did a child of immigrants, starting with no background in the hotel business, create the world’s most admired and successful hotel brand? And how has Four Seasons grown dramatically, over nearly half a century, without losing its focus on exceptional quality and unparalleled service?
Isadore Sharp answers these questions in his inspiring memoir. He started out in Toronto, the son of a modest builder from Poland, but ambition and fate rapidly took him beyond his father’s three-man construction business.
Sharp learned the hotel business by trial and error. His breakthrough was a vision for a new kind of hotel, featuring superior design, top-quality amenities, and, above all, a deep commitment to service. Today, Four Seasons is widely recognized as the world leader in comfort and luxury—in fact, it sets the standard by which every luxury hotel is measured.
If you’ve ever set foot in a Four Seasons hotel, you know that every property accomplishes a rare and elusive aim: to deliver a memorable and unique guest experience at every point of contact. It’s not just the custom-made beds or the fact that the staff always remembers your name. It’s a feat accomplished through genuine engagement at every level of the company, from the hotel managers and concierges to the housekeepers and doormen.
Four Seasons is the story of a unique approach to creating an extraordinary brand by building a culture of true respect and caring—and nurturing that culture in more than thirty countries around the world.
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- ISBN13: 9781591842446- Condition: NEW
- Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
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By B. Rodriguez (Forest Hills, NY)
Reading this book about Sharp and his "walked in your shoes" knowing makes me believe that all that is good in the world, and that being humanistic in the workplace has a place. I am so appreciative of Mr. Sharp's keen awareness that it takes everyone to be authentic and caring, and above all, empathetic to make a business a success. His empathy is empowering and should be a symbol of what it takes to make a business a real success. He leaves his ego at the door and magic happens. At the end of the day it's important to make sure that everyone feels important and taken care of. If you know this and act on it, you will be successful and fulfilled. I truly admire him and wish there were more businessmen who would think and act as he has and does.
By C. Williams (Washington, DC)
When I first joined Four Seasons a little under 2 years ago... I thought everyone around me had "drunk the kool-aid". I had never worked in an environmen quite like this. Everyone around you was interesting in not only offering an amazing product but also invested in making you and the team succeed. And generally everyone was happy at work... from housekeeping to executive staff.
After reading this book... I now see how this corporate culture has reached all 83 hotels and all corporate offices. This memoir is inspiring and shows to be successful you don't have to be cut throat and bottom line oriented but you can also try living by the Golden Rule.
I totally recommend this book to anyone interested in the company or industry, interested in different types of business philosophy, and definitely anyone interested in working for this company.
By rry007 (Raleigh, N.C)
Isadore Sharp (founder, chairman, and CEO) of Four Seasons penned this book to tell of his upbringing and how he started and made Four Seasons so successful. He begins by recounting his childhood, and how he started out in building and construction, to his first Four Seasons hotel, to the present. I had no idea that Four Seasons started much of the amenities we now consider standard: hair dryers, concierge, and televisions with concealing doors.
What makes Four Seasons different from all other hotels? The focus on service. Reading about his philosophy reminds me of the legendary Nordstrom customer service. Sharp is different from other CEOs, because he wants his managers to empower his employees. Instead of having strict rules and regulations, he hammered in that he wants his employees to go above and beyond the norm to make guests' stays more comfortable, and not be chastised for going the extra mile for customers.
All this has resulted in Four Seasons having higher occupancy rates, higher prices, and more loyal customers. Although it is currently out of my price range, I look forward to one day being able to stay at Four Seasons and experience the excellent service firsthand.
By Jake Wurzak (Miami, Florida)
This book gives incredible insight into the formation of the worlds top luxury hotel brand. Sharp gives you an inside look into how the company started and grew into a luxury brand to where it is currently headed. Sharp describes things very well, and the books just makes you want to book a reservation at one of his hotels. Not every four seasons is the newest or the best, but overall the service and standard levels are unmatched.
A must read for anyone interested in business, management,entreprenaurship or luxury travel.
By Gordon J. Hillock (Kiawah Island)
First time ordering "used edition" and am very pleased.....Sharp's story and business insight leaps off the pages in a very matter-of-fact way with profound clarity....a great success example to the service industry we all serve.
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