Book Description

A delightful scrapbook for fans of Rachael Ray's popular $40 A Day show. Rachael's revisits over 50 cities. Illustrated with color photos and selected recipes from her favorite restaurants. ... Read more

Book Description

This book provides a complete guide to the development of hotels and resorts, covering all aspects of planning, market analysis, interior design and the installation of technical services.

Fred Lawson's text is concise and the information easy to access.He examines the distinctive characteristics of different hotel types, identified by market and location, and specifies the special requirements of each type.Recognising the need for continuous maintenance and life-cycle refurbishment, a full chapter is devoted to these subjects and the business aspects of the hotel operation are considered.Throughout the book are numerous illustrations of projects showing outstanding examples of hotels and village resorts as well as current trends in design and development.Fred Lawson is well known as an hotel consultant and is now Visiting Professor at the University of Bournemouth.He has a number of successful books to his credit.As a leading international consultant he has been involved in major hotel and tourism projects in 35 countries including assignments for the World Bank, EC, UNDP and the World Tourism Organisation.The hotels featured include: Bali Hilton International, Oberoi Hotel - Bombay, Hotel Nikko - Australia, Guildford YMCA - UK, Meridien Hotel - Cairo, Turtel Sorgun Resort Village - Turkey.

* Covers all aspects of planning and design, including marketing and investment appraisal
* Logical framework and comprehensive coverage promotes handy reference use
* Numerous examples provide practical help in application of principles ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Very Useful and Easy to Follow
Event Marketing explores the promotions industry. Though it is a textbook, Hoyle delightfully surprises the reader by writing in a witty style. Why intimidate or bore the reader when you can engage them? Hoyle takes this obvious, but overlooked, premise and runs with it as he explains the events promotions business.

Like Michael Levine's Guerrilla PR: Wired, which also has case histories and strategies in how to promote events in a low-cost fashion, Hoyle seeks to turn a confusing and frantic arena into one that, like all other areas, is more easily understood once clear and discrete steps have been demonstrated. The personal examples at the end of each chapter only serve to add credibility and weight to Hoyle's words.

Raves for Event Marketing by Leonard H. Hoyle
When I began reading this book, I knew it was a textbook and expected the normal dry, wordy textbook in which information is buried under an avalance of prose. I was delighted to find a work that was clear, complete, informative, and interesting to read. I found that I looked forward to each chapter and subject. The information is presented in prose, lists of important topics, and highlighting of certain need-to-know material in such a way that cross-refencing and finding previously studied material are amazingly accessible. Added bonuses are the quotes before each chapter and the personal experiences at the end of each chapter.
The suggestions about organization, multitasking, and people management are so original and all-encompassing that I heartily recommend this book for everyone -- not only those interesting in planning events.

so helpful!!
The great insight on how to reach new event attendees was very helpful. I appreciated the variety of events that were mentioned in the book, along with the helpful appendice chocked full of information. Definitely a great purchase. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Excellent resource for anyone in or interested in "the biz"
I own a pretty sucessful bar in Santa Barbara California and decided (about a year ago) to try my hand in the Restaurant Business.

Before I could turn back, the lease was signed, money was coming in...there was no escape. I was pretty terrified.

I decided to learn everything I could about design, management, success' and failures. The principal way I did this was to order an armada of books about the business. In all I think I bought roughly 20 books. Most of them were somewhat helpful, but none of them approached the value of this fine book.

Chronicling almost 3 dozen successful cases from such diverse business' as China Grill and Farallon, every aspect of the business is covered - design, capitalization, management organization, revenue and profit - FANTASTIC.

I can't recommend this book any higher. It was an enormous help to me in putting my new restaurant together.

Christian Hunter
Owner - Sevilla Restaurant, Santa Barbara

Excellent and Insightful
If you are seeking concrete information into the whys and wherefores of creating and building upon a solid restaurant concept, this is the book for you. It is overflowing with detailed descriptions, practical advice, layouts, menus, square footage, operation costs... much more than I anticipated. Although at first glance it seems to be another glossy "picture" book with a high design value (which is greatly appreciated), it is in fact a true workbook and manual. The numbers are all here, allowing the reader to compare and contrast. If you are working on a business plan, this is ideal, because it is a great aid for making realistic projections. Restaurants That Work is extremely thorough and well worth the price. I am very pleased and my only gripe is that I didn't purchase this sooner!

The Best
This is without a doubt the best book I have found on restaurant design. From concept to completion and everything in between, this a truly indsepensible book for reference. Every prospective restauranteuer and restaurant designer/architect should have a copy and USE it. Martin E. Dorf asks all the right questions and explains possible solutions to prevent common restaurant design mistakes.

A Design Tour de Force
If you are looking for the best of the best in restaurant design in the pursuit of total "conceptual integrity" you should read this book.

Excellent and inspirational customer service guide.
Even at first read the case studies presented with interviews, photos, pro formas, and floor plan layouts are a glimpse into the genius of professionals at the top of the hospitality field.All people in any business, of any size, can benefit from the analysis of restaurant design from all perspectives: design and construction, size and site, cost and value, finish and feeling.In fact, feeling is the best word to describe the passion of people doing what they love. Their desire to create the best for the customer is a reciprocal relationship that pays dividends for a long time.An inspirational read that I pull off the bookshelf repeatedly. ... Read more

Reviews (16)

Standard issue at SCI
I am a student at Scottsdale Culinary Institute, an LeCordon Bleu school in Scottsdale, AZ. This book is the first that we are issued and is used as a standard reference throughout our twelve month curriculum. It may be somewhat confusing for the home cook as there are many industry terms used, and all of the recipes are scaled for large production quantities. Nonetheless, it will give you a great idea of how things work in the food service industry and start you off to better home cooking techniques as well.

A very in depth book!
While I am not a culinary student, I do love to cook and learn the science behind the food. This book is the most comprehensive, best photographed book I have seen. This is written for the student, or professional preparation in terms of quantities the recipes make. You can easily scale most of them to suit your personal needs. The book is divided into various sections there is a textbook feel as each area of food is explained thoroughly, then come the recipes. This book is nice as it offers many suggestions and ideas with each recipe. While this may not be the best choice for every cook at home, I think this is a good choice for people that want a little more out a cookbook.

This book helped me a great deal through all courses
I am a culinary student and this book was a required purchase. It is very detailed and has great photos. I also love the questions at the end of each chapter, but unfortunately no answers. The baking section is very good too, but I was having a little bit of trouble getting through those particular courses. After buying the Study Guide for Baking and Study Guide for Advance Baking I was able to get a passing grade. It asks and answered all the questions I was looking for.

Too bad they don't have an entry for 6 stars
One word - incredible.

I've always loved cooking, and have always been a capable cook in the kitchen, but always wondered why certain things are done the ways they are (such as how does flour thicken a sauce without it getting pasty) and how to make simple things such as bases for sauces. This book has that information and a LOT more. After getting roughly 30 cook books through the past 5 years, I realize now that this is the only one I ever needed. All of the recipes I've tried have been incredible (the only annoying thing is the large scale they're made to, though that's easily remedied), and it's a cookbook that I actually like to READ as opposed to just pull recipes out of.

HIGHLY Recommended for any type of cook.

Five Star Book!
This is an excellent book for anyone interested in the Culinary Arts. Beginning with a brief story of the origins of contemporary cooking with Escoffier, going through Hygiene and Sanitation, Kitchen Equipment and utensils, covering all the necessary techniques for the future Culinary Professional, clear, step-by-step illustrations and excellent pictures, this is the most complete cookbook I have found. It combines both the French techniques with the collaboration of Le Cordon Bleu Chefs and the American influence with the expertise of the author. As a Chef Instructor, I will use this Professional Cooking as reference for all my future classes. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Complete & Simple to utilize
I thought I knew and understood a bar/beverage operation from years in the business. This book confirmed my basic knowledge and taught me new principles every chapter. This is a must for every owner and the bar personnel who want to gain more insight and working knowledge. ... Read more

Book Description

Updated and expanded for the twenty-first century, this classic text remains the #1 introduction to tourism principles and practices
Now in its ninth edition, Tourism provides a comprehensive introduction to the world's most rapidly growing industry. Tens of thousands of hospitality and tourism students worldwide have used previous editions of this classic text to launch their professional careers. Written by two internationally recognized experts, this book looks at the travel and tourism industry from a global perspective, offering insights into the economic, political, and social forces that drive and shape tourism.
New material in this Ninth Edition includes:
* A look at the tourism industry in the twenty-first century
* Updated case problems
* A current list of Web sites at the end of each chapter
* A full-color insert of travel and tourism photographs
Completely revised and redesigned with a beautiful, new two-color interior, Tourism examines how different components of the industry work together to create a unified, successful travel experience. In six parts it covers: an overview of the industry; how tourism is organized; travel behavior; tourism supply, demand, policy, planning, and development; research and marketing; and future prospects.
Tourism: Principles, Practices, Philosophies, Ninth Edition is an invaluable book for students studying travel and tourism. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

I really like this book!!
This book is very insightful on both, aspects of tourism and travel, as well as the financial affects that tourism can play on a country's economy. The authors seem to know what they're talking about and they're very good at relaying their knowledge to their readers in a concise way.

A great introduction to tourism
This text provides a great overview of the tourism industry, from what tourism is to its organization to the theories that help fomulate such a diverse industry. This book should be studied by every student studying tourism.

Outstanding blend of theory and implementation
This book offers a fusion of theory and practical advice that is directly relevant to managers - an area where many current tourism texts fall short. It is both strategic and tactical, providing readers with a broad overview of the tourism environment as well as implementable ideas for improving business performance. I have read and enjoyed the original version by McIntosh, and the new insights from Ritchie and Goeldner add new depth to an already exceptional read.

Look around. You'll find no book in the field as thorough and well written as this. ... Read more

Book Description

Running a bar or tavern is one of the most popular choices for entrepreneurs who want to operate a small business.But it's risky business for those who go into it uninformed.This book provides the essential information on planning, financial management.

The author pays particular attention to alcohol awareness issues and legal issues connected with bar and tavern management.A sample business plan as well as lists of associations and government agencies are provided in the appendix. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Roy is the Man!
Okay, so I do think this book needs to be revised for 2002, as it is a few years old and times have changed (mostly regarding funding and approaches), but as for a book of basic principles I was extremely impressed. Being a new-comer to the industry this book covers many aspects of operating a bar that a business owner should know, or at least pay attention to. This book was also very well written. If more people ran their bars utilizing some of the points in this book there would be better places to go and work... which is okay for me since no one in my town seems to know how to run a real bar/lounge...

Excellent Information and Point of View
Okay, so I do think this book needs to be revised for 2002, as it is a few years old and times have changed (mostly regarding funding and approaches), but as for a book of basic principles I was extremely impressed. Being a new-comer to the industry this book covers many aspects of operating a bar that a business owner should know, or at least pay attention to. If more people ran their bars utilizing some of the points in this book there would be better places to go and work... which is okay for me since no one in my town seems to know how to run a real bar/lounge...

Good source of Info
This book helped me earn an A on a college economics class business plan!

Interesting and helpful
The book drives home the fact that to be successful a bar must be run in a businesslike way. It discusses start-up issues, shows ways to build sales, control costs, and keep expenses in line. Equipment, layout and service are also covered. I found the information very useful.

A MUST-READ
Covers the start-up process from beginning to end, showing you many ways to maximize your chances of success. No wasted pages or fluff. This is a book you'll want to save. If you were going to read only one book on starting and managing a bar, this would be an excellent one. ... Read more

Book Description

The piece de resistance of a fabulous meal: great service

Efficient service is the crowning touch to any dining experience. While a reputation for excellent food or an eye-catching menu might bring customers to the door, it’s a dedicated, customer-focused service staff that has them coming back. Remarkable Service describes the new imperative of restaurant management, one that distinguishes, finally, a good restaurant from a great one. The most current and comprehensive guide to managing front of the house operations, Remarkable Servicedetails the full range of service approaches, including everything from formal French tableside service to casual American family and buffet style service. With practical specifics on reservations; service mise en place; food, beverage, and wine service; and banquets, Remarkable Serviceis must reading for restaurant owners, managers, and servers who want to provide the consistently excellent service that will give their establishment a competitive edge. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Good book. But why not read about real wait staff????
I'd recommend a book by author Matt Lehman called "Clam Chowder: A Server's Field Manual". This book is a realistic, funny, clever and insightful read. It will give a true look into the minds of your wait staff. I couldn't put it down. I'm not sure if it's available on Amazon, but it is online at www.clamchowder.biz

I haven't worked in the restaurant for years, but Clam Chowder brought back a flood of memories for me. I have read it twice since I first got it. My book has now been passed on to at least 7 other people. They all agree, Clam Chowder is the best restaurant book ever - told from a server's perspective.

Not a bad little book, especially if you know service.
As someone that prides themself on customer satisfaction, I have to say this was not a bad little book. A lot is common sense, but some would learn from this. People like to be taken care of from start to finish in any industry and this is a good reminder in service. ... Read more

Book Description

For readers seeking adventure in the field of tourism, "Conducting Tours" offers essential, contemporary guidance needed for success in this exciting, expanding industry. Beginning with basic, valuable information about guiding, escorting, and tour planning, the text progresses with discussions on subtler topics such as guide commentary "tricks" for effective touring, psychology of group behavior, successful itineraries, and ethical challenges presented to tour leaders.The subject matter is organized for greater reading clarity with chapter overviews, highlighted glossary terms, and magazine-style prose.Numerous photos, graphics, and quotes from industry leaders highlight key points, and over 40 charts, maps and illustrations give visual, easy access renderings of information. The professional profiles, end-of-chapter summaries and activities enables learners to comprehend real-life experiences and apply their knowledge. This integrated textbook/workbook is the only source necessary to learn about "Conducting Tours". ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Excellent for budding Tour leaders
This book was truly practical for both the established tourleader or anyone wanting to begin in the industry. There areinvaluable points that help you to establish relationships with your clients and tips to improve your confidence skills. There also also excercise that help you work your way through each chapter. Great, easy reading.

everything you ever wanted to know about being a tour guide
I recently took a college level course in a hospitality and tourism curriculum and this was the text used for the class. I was skeptical as to what a book could teach you about being an effective tour guide. During the class I had the opportunity to lead a group to London for a 9 day tour. I was amazed at the many tips the book gave that were helpful. He discusses the psychological aspects of "herding instincts" and how people can revert to childish behavior when they submit all decision making for a week or two to a tour guide. It includes tips on how to set up a tour package and how to get the best deals from hotels and airlines. He also discusses the different types of guide jobs including positive and negatives aspects of each. Very Helpful book! ... Read more

Book Description

The leader in rooms management education and job-trainingfor over two decades, this book provides exceptionally completecoverage of the hotel's front office and all of the support positionsthat make it work—from the global reservation network, to legalconcerns, sales and marketing techniques, management issues, roomrate formulas, and control and oversight. In a sequence that follows the flow of most guests—reservation, arrival, billing, departure, auditing and accounting—the book treats both the how (e.g., completing a reg. card) and the why (e.g., yield management) while keeping readers abreast of the trends currently affecting the industry.Topics focus on a broad view of lodging management with references throughout the chapters ranging from human resources to engineering; from accounting to telephone systems; from credit cards to email communications; from legal matters to travel agents; from environmental issues to global distribution systems; from spas to hurdle pricing. Covers new topics such as: web reservations; growth of timeshare sales and the new role of hotel companies therein; impact of internationalization—the global economy and hotelkeeping; room rates and their sensitivity to the economy; hotel safety and security after 9/11; collapsing organizational structures and the empowerment of the employee; new operational moves by the industry—some successful and some not; the challenge of franchising; the return of the hotel lease, replacing the management contract; and conventions, trade shows and other group businesses.A great reference for hotel industry executives, or used for on-the-job training in a variety of settings. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

CHECK-IN CHECK OUT
THIS IS IS WELL WRITTEN BOOK IT COVERS ALL THE ISSUES ABOUT RUNNING A HOTEL/MOTEL.I FOUND THIS BOOK VERY HELPFUL. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Update the software!
As an instructor I felt the book was very good, but the students could not use the software on excel 97 or above. It was really frustrating, and I will not use it next semester.

I think this is an excellent book for chefs to be.
This is an excellent book for chefs to be. It gives in detail how to design a decent menu. But the price I paid for it is way to much. I picked up the book in our school bookstore, Lambton College, in Sarnia, Ontario Canada. It cost me 102.95 plus GST Tax. ... Read more

Book Description

Catering and special events are a fast-growing area in today's food and beverage industry. On-premise catering accounts for about two-thirds of all catering sales, encompassing food produced on-sit in hotels, wedding facilities, conference centers, clubs and other venues. This book--the only one of its kind--covers the concepts and information that are essential to success in on-premise catering. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Wonderful book!
I had to buy this book to study for a catering certification test, and I was anticipating a dull, dry rehash of things I already knew after 5 years as a caterer. But, I was pleasantly surprised. It is written in a most readable manner, and I learned so much I didn't know, which makes me so much more professional. I recommend it highly.

On-Premise Catering
The book is good, however I can only print 25 pages every 10 days, so in about 6 months, I will have my printed book. I am very disappointed in the fact that I was very mislead in buying this book, it doesn't tell you that you can only print minimal pages and can only use the e-book from your home. Well, I don't work at home, I work in a hotel. I will not buy from Amazon again because they did nothing to help me with this matter.

Great!
This is a great reference book. I have been in catering for 15 years, and there is a lot of stuff in this book I never knew! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Great Book
Great Book! I Found These step-by-step guides easy-to-read, and easy to understand! The books are packed with information. They reminded me of "cliff Notes" from my college days.The information is comprehensive without the fluff you find in so many of the more expensive books out there on the subject. The books are also packed with resources such as phone numbers and the web sites of the companies they are discussing - there is no "theory" just great information. ... Read more

Book Description

Management lessons from the world's most profitable airline

"If you want to understand how one organization can change the competitive rules of the game for an entire industry, read this book."--James L. Heskett, Baker Foundation Professor, Harvard Business School and Coauthor of The Value-Profit Chain

Fortune magazine calls Southwest Airlines "the most successful airline in history." With a market value greater than the rest of the U.S. airline industry combined, Southwest Airlines is an amazing company with amazing management practices. Drawing on extensive research and interviews with frontline Southwest employees, managers, and senior executives­­The Southwest Airlines Way explains how Southwest's relationship-based performance principles can be adopted by managers in any industry, with dramatic results.

Full of frontline tales of Southwest's innovative management style, this compelling book explains how Southwest's relentless focus on high-performance relationships and its people-management practices have been the key to its unparalleled success in the airline industry. It reveals how any organization willing to invest the time and effort can learn from Southwest's management style by creating shared goals, shared knowledge, and mutual respect among management, employees, and suppliers. This is the secret of how Southwest consistently outperforms its competitors in the high-pressure, timesensitive airline industry.

Reviews (12)

Packed With Knowledge!
If you've wondered what's behind Southwest Airlines' uncommon success, wonder no more. Author Jody Hoffer Gittell lays it all out in The Southwest Airlines Way. Gittel, a university professor, explains that at Southwest Airlines, relationship building and collaboration aren't just given lip service - they're a condition of employment. This is an excellent case study of the airline and its competitors, wherein Gittell reveals the characteristics that make Southwest shine, traits other airlines have tried hard to emulate. She makes a compelling case for the power of relationships inside, outside and at all levels of the corporate hierarchy. Meticulously researched and offering abundant industry testimonials, this corporate exploration doesn't feel like yet another marketing book. We think this excellent exposition is just the ticket for corporate leaders who want to know not just how Southwest did it, but how they can do it too.

Packed with Knowledge!
If you've wondered what's behind Southwest Airlines' uncommon success, wonder no more. Author Jody Hoffer Gittell lays it all out in The Southwest Airlines Way. Gittel, a university professor, explains that at Southwest Airlines, relationship building and collaboration aren't just given lip service - they're a condition of employment. This is an excellent case study of the airline and its competitors, wherein Gittell reveals the characteristics that make Southwest shine, traits other airlines have tried hard to emulate. She makes a compelling case for the power of relationships inside, outside and at all levels of the corporate hierarchy. Meticulously researched and offering abundant industry testimonials, this corporate exploration doesn't feel like yet another marketing book. We think this excellent exposition is just the ticket for corporate leaders who want to know not just how Southwest did it, but how they can do it too.

Southwest's "Eternal Flame"
Why can't other companies (not only airlines) become as highly admired as well as profitable as Southwest Airlines? Here is an excerpt from Herb Kelleher's presentation at the Risk Management Association's annual conference: "Maintaining excellent customer survives involves a process of  getting people to understand the importance of it to them in their daily lives as well as in others'. We were a little concerned as we got bigger that maybe some of our early culture might be lost so we set up a culture committee whose only purpose is to keep the Southwest Airlines culture alive. Before people knew how to make fire, there was a fire watcher. Cave dwellers may have found a tree hit by lightning and brought fire back to the cave. Somebody had to make sure it kept going because if it went out, there was was the most important person in the tribe. I said to our culture committee, 'You are our fire watchers, who make sure the fire does not go out.  I think you are the most important committee at Southwest Airlines.'   I really do believe that to be the case. We have people come in from all over the world who are interested in our culture because they see it in the customer service aspect of it."

Kelleher then notes that "Southwest Airlines had 162 companies at our last corporate day [open house], which we have twice a year. We started them off that day with the Macarena and they were all wondering, 'Hmmmm....I was looking for E=mc2 and I'm getting the Macarena.' But a fellow from Swiss Air was interviewed when he left and was asked, 'What's the most important message you're taking back to Swiss Air?' And he said 'For everybody to learn to do the Macarena.' Everybody's looking for a single Big Answer, an easy answer such as 'We'll communicate for six months, then get on with something else that's more important.' I keep telling them that the intangibles are far more important than the tangibles in the competitive world because, obviously, you can replicate the tangibles.  You can get the same airplane. You can get the same ticket counters.  You can get the same computers. But the hardest thing for a competitor to match is your culture and the spirit of your people and their focus on customer service because that isn't something you can do overnight and it isn't something you can do without a great deal of attention every day in a thousand different ways. That is why I say that our employees are our competitive protection."

I cannot think of a better introduction to Gittell's book, nor to my comments on her book. Although she identifies "Ten Southwest Practices" and devotes a chapter to explaining each in Part 2, her key point (and Kelleher's) is that high performance relations are the key to Southwest's success. Gittell includes these comments by a Southwest ramp manager:

"One thing we cannot teach is attitude toward peers or other groups. There's a code, a way to respond to every individual who works for Southwest. The easiest way to get in trouble is to offend another employee. We need people to respond favorably. It promotes good working relationships....You find an individual with an upbeat and positive attitude -- and you'll find that everything that needs to be done, will get done. It's very contagious." I have been a Southwest frequent flier since 1976. Not once, even once, have I ever had a less-than-pleasant experience with anyone within the Southwest organization. Kelleher is appropriately praised for his vision, charm, business acumen, inspiration, passion, determination, wit, etc. He should also be praised for the leadership he has encouraged and supported at all levels of Southwest. In my opinion, that is his single greatest contribution. As Jim Collins describes it in Good to Great, "getting the right people on the bus."

In Part 3, Gittell explains how the "Ten Southwest Practices" reinforce (or undermine) each other; she then suggests what can be learned from Southwest, briefly discussing efforts by competitor airlines; next, she examines how Southwest responds to pressure and manages crises (e.g. September 11); finally, Gittell offers a number of suggestions as to how other organizations can implement high performance relationships. There is nothing wrong with any of those suggestions. However, obviously, listing the "Ten Southwest Practices" is far, far easier than convincing or inspiring most (if not all) people in another organization to follow them all day, every day, year after year. And it is even more difficult to create such buy-in when an organization is undergoing extensive growth and sustains it profitably as Southwest has. Especially in the ferociously competitive airline industry, the Yoda's admonition is correct: "Do or do not. There is no try."

Great research;super book on facing competitive challenges i
Many business owners often ask the question: How can my business become more successful, more profitable like some specific business they may know of or have read about in a business periodical. There are numerous books published in the "how to" area; Jody Hoffer Gittell's book, The Southwest Airlines Way, is, in my opinion, THE book for any manager in any type of business to not only read but to implement any number of the suggestions made in the book to face competitive challenges faced in their own business. After reading the book I was particularly impressed with the amount of and time spent gathering research for this impressive business book. The author explains very well many practices that Southwest utilizes in it's business that has sustained it's success of 30 years of growth and profitability.
As I read the book, and unlike many books that one reads a few pages at a time, I could hardly wait to turn the page to continue reading about the superior theory of relational coordination as developed by the author. I suppose the author could have chosen some other type of industry and company to research and write about but in a time that many many airlinesare bleeding "red ink", going out of business or filing for bankruptcy, the author writes about perhaps the most successful airline ever in the USA. In the book the author writes: "However, the Southwest model is still not well understood." I can understand why: not enough managers have read this exceptional book! Therefore my conclusion can be stated as: Memo to Managers: If you "Don't Get It"-Get It! -this book. As the Executive Producer and host of the highly acclaimed business tv show, "Business Beat Live" on which Jody Hoffer Gittell was a guest, I have read hundreds of business books and interviewed their authors; in my opinion this book ranks a "10". Read it and you'll see why.

Research shows that relationships fuel high performance
Much has been written about the legendary company, Southwest Airlines. As a former insider, I often wondered why other organizations couldn't duplicate Southwest's business model. There really weren't any secrets, but while other airlines and companies tried, few succeeded. In many ways Southwest defies conventional business thinking. Based on extensive research, Jody Hoffer Gittell's The Southwest Way is filled with actual examples of business process at Southwest as compared to other airlines. The reader can easily see how basic practices based on internal values at Southwest, such as, investing in leadership development and people have made such a big difference. In fact, the findings from eight years of research of the airline industry reveal that Southwest's success is due to building high performance relationships with their people, customers, unions, vendors and suppliers, and the public in general.

Dr.Gitell includes real-life inspiring stories from insiders, which makes the book a more entertaining read versus your typical analytical reference text written by an academic. But, this is not a touchy feely book based on anecdotes, it is academic and the ideas presented are fact-based. The reader gets a glimpse into day to day practices and people who run the company and work on the frontlines, but also Gittell has compared and contrasted these practices and people to those of competitor airlines and other industries. This is where the reader can easily see why Southwest's basic values have given the airline a significant competitive advantage. And, this is where readers can see Gittel's theoretical premise in action.

The Southwest Way is a book that will most certainly appeal to general business audiences, to airline leaders, and to any business person who is engaged in efforts to build a legendary organization and organizational culture. Human resources professionals will identify secrets to creating value in organizations through people practices, leadership development, conflict resolution, work-life balance initiatives, performance management, and building a culture that fosters productivity, innovation and organizational success. ... Read more

Book Description

Turn your love for travel into your livelihood with this award-winning guide to setting up a bona-fide travel business from the comfort of your own home. Learn how to research trips, make bookings, find and keep customers, maximize earnings, and qualify for agent-only benefits. This user-friendly manual includes a mini sales training program, sizable resource section, and complete subject index. It's like having a friend sit next to you and answer all your questions. ... Read more

Book Description

Contemporary in perspective, this user-friendlyintroduction to foodservice procurement -- purchasing, receiving, storage,and inventory control -- emphasizes that purchasing 1) is the firststep in preparing menu items that satisfy customers, and 2> is not acost center in the operation (as it was for many years), but that itcontributes to the profit, and that every dollar saved is a dollar profit. Stresses the importance of the procurement unit in thefoodservice operation -- that purchasing, receiving, storage, and inventorycontrol are the base of the entire operation. Explains how to make decisionsabout which products meet the quality standards required by the customer andat the same time find the lowest price for a product. Emphasizes the HazardAnalysis Critical Control Point system. Uses the Food Guide Pyramid as theconceptual framework for the food section. Discusses how processing ormanufacturing and marketing or distribution, exclusive of the cost ofmaterials, packaging, and overhead, can add value to products and increaseprofits.For those preparing to work in a commercial ornoncommercial foodservice. ... Read more

Book Description

This fully documented guide helps readers grasp the essentials of planning and successfully managing three major types of catering operations: on-premise, off-premise, and mobile unit. The authors evaluate each type of operation according to operating needs, advantages, and disadvantages. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (3)

Folksy, Practical . . . Very Sweet
The tone of this book is as lovely as I'm sure the author/innkeeper is. She's experienced at her business and her craft of teaching the art of owning a Bed and Breakfast.

This is one of many books you should purchase/read if you are interested in this field. Look for others (So, You Want to Be An Innkeeper, for example) for more hard-core business advice.

The nitty gritty of running the shop.
This book goes room by room into decorating, supplies needed, rules, safety, and the likes which really helps when you are running a B&B. IT failed to really go into depth about the business aspects which I thought was a shame. This book is great if you are already running a B&B or want to decorate your house like one, but I would suggest buying several other B&B books to help give the complete picture. It also include recipies which was an added bonus. A good book for the right need.

My B & B Bible
A little over a year ago my husband and I decided to sell our house of 22 years where we had 1 occassional guest room and buy a larger home in our city to plan for our retirement career. I purchased Martha's book and have used it as my B & B Bible ever since. I also have a couple of other B & B start-up books but Martha's book provided the easiest reading and most down to earth advice. Plus it was written from experience not just from a consultants viewpoint. Martha has lived the experience of starting a bed and breakfast. I am happy to say that our new "Guest House" has opened as of October 15, 1999 and we are glad we made the decision to embark on this new adventure.

By the way I also have her B & B cookbook and use it on almost a daily basis. ... Read more