Henry Kalus’ Post

I attended a colleague's wedding recently. Upon arrival at the venue, I warmly greeted her parents and engaged in a pleasant conversation with the father of the bride. Later, I congratulated the couple. A month later, I invited the couple over for lunch. While chatting at the dining table, I noticed that when conversing with her husband, I often felt like I was speaking to her father. It was apparent that she had chosen a husband who shared similarities with her father. Reflecting on this… When selecting a candidate for our team, beyond professional competence, what attributes do we prioritize? Do we lean towards familiarity or comfort? Do we seek someone we can easily dominate? Or Do we value individuals who bring fresh perspectives and potential to make a significant impact? What criteria do you prioritize in such situations? #teamselection #choice

We should all be teammates and work together for the greater good of the company. Whether someone is overwhelmed, you simply feel like it, or you want to understand and empathize with others' tasks, I believe it's essential to lend a hand 🤝, no matter what your position is. I vividly remember a former boss -the owner and CEO of the company- along with the Head of the graphic department and salespeople, helping to unload a 20-foot container that had just arrived from the harbor. 🚚📦 Regrettably, I also encountered the opposite attitude during my time at an international corporation: I remember grabbing a white tablecloth from the cart to help set up a coffee break banquet for an upcoming meeting. The waitress stared at me and said, "In all the years I've been working here, this is the first time someone from the 'suits' has given me a hand." I was astonished and felt deeply sorry for her. 😔 Luckily, in my current company, no one feels above any task. Whether it's helping sew the hem of Juliet's dress, mopping the linoleum for the dancers, organizing the Nutcracker costumes, and so forth… it also becomes part of my responsibilities and, besides, it's incredibly rewarding! 💖🙌 #Teamwork #WorkTogether #CompanyCulture #SupportEachOther #HelpingHand #LeadByExample #TeamSpirit #PositiveWorkCulture

At #TGIFridays, we take our values Passion, Pride, Personality, and Protection to heart, whether it’s in serving up great food, creating a memorable atmosphere, or ensuring every person feels valued. That’s why we’re launching a new training video to help our team members understand the importance of using correct pronouns. Here’s why this matters to us: ⭐ Passion ⭐ We’re passionate about creating an environment where everyone can be their authentic selves. Getting pronouns right helps us build a space where everyone feels welcomed and respected.   ⭐ Pride ⭐ We take pride in being an inclusive workplace that values each individual. Embracing diversity is a core part of who we are at TGI Fridays, and using the correct pronouns reflects that commitment.   ⭐ Personality ⭐ Our brand has always been about personality letting people express who they are and celebrating individuality. Honouring pronouns is one more way we show appreciation for each unique story in our TGI Fridays family.   ⭐ Protection ⭐ We’re committed to protecting a safe and welcoming environment. Respecting pronouns fosters an atmosphere of trust, belonging, and respect for all. By embracing these values, we ensure that TGI Fridays remains a place where everyone feels at home.    #TGIFridaysFamily #PronounsMatter #PrideInOurPeople #InclusiveHospitality #Restaurant #Hospitality  

“I don’t know, but I’ve been told…”   >> “Someone here is getting old!” “Sound off”   >> “Happy!” “Sound off”       >> “Birthday!” It’s been a solid 20+ years, but I can still recite that obnoxious birthday song verbatim. I was reading an article in the Wall Street Journal yesterday about TGI Fridays and its recent bankruptcy struggles. But it was the accompanying image of a cheery bartender wearing “the uniform” that had me flash-backing. I waited tables in college, and my first foray into that world was as a server at TGI Fridays. The over-the-top-ness in every aspect of this place (the vibe, the decor, the uniforms, the aforementioned birthday song) on the surface definitely didn’t appear to match my quiet, prefer-to-blend-in-than-stand-out personality as an 18 year old. But I found my groove there by focusing on what I was good at: paying attention, anticipating needs, being helpful. I also learned some handy things while clad in those red and white vertical stripes: - How to manage multiple priorities and personalities at once. I’d argue there is no job more multi-task-y than simultaneously waiting on five or so tables on a busy Saturday night. - How to be diplomatic. I discovered quickly that my making money was highly dependent on my ability to anticipate needs, be empathetic and respond with kindness to the varying demands of those seated in my section. - How to hustle. Shifts at TGI Fridays were loooong. The restaurant didn’t close until 1am on Saturday nights. It was exhausting. But, if I wanted to make money I had to put in the effort required. - Learn the things that make my job easier, then do those things. Waiting tables requires serving a lot of drinks. Especially at a place boasting free refills. Maybe the most important skill I learned was how to hold three full drinks in one hand (I CANNOT TELL YOU how much this skill has come in handy in my adult life). What was your college job? What skills did you learn there that have been helpful in your professional life also? And more importantly, did you ever go to the heyday TGI Fridays I am describing here? Maybe you worked there, too? #TGIF #TGIFridays #Flair

“What’s so special about O Beach?” For me, the answer’s simple 🤷🏼♂️ - It’s not the Instagram-worthy cocktails. - It’s not the celebs who swing by. - It’s not even the fancy decor. → It’s the staff. They’re the ones who: - Greet you with a smile. - Brighten up your day. - Bring the good vibes. And that’s why I always try to handpick the team. I literally travel all over handpicking the right people. (I feel like Simon Cowell sometimes 😂) I still do this because the team are so important to the business. You can have the best cocktails, the most stunning decor & even celebrities dropping by. But if the team doesn’t bring passion & genuine effort… None of that matters 🤷🏼♂️ It’s the people who make or break a business. When your team are motivated, valued & happy to be there, your customers will feel it too. Don’t underestimate the power of your people. – Also… it’s that time again! 🕺🏼 We’re hiring for the summer season 2025 in Ibiza! (More info in the comments) Here we go again 🥳🇪🇸

I spent a lifetime working in hospitality. My first paying job besides shoveling snow was as a waitress at a country club in Chicago. Serving luxury clients in floral, working for the world's largest restaurant company and serving clients in consulting is a calling. But why is is to hard to give and get good service today? It is a calling. Not everyone wants to help others. Not every company outlines the principles of good service. You know when you get great service, you just know. I was watching a story about a Canadian from the Fogo Islands, a fishing town, the second generation daughter, #ZitaCobb, spoke about her family's philosophy about service. Their bed and breakfast was a modest Newfoundland home with guests who loved their Inn. She said, "Hospitality is the love of a stranger." REPEAT THIS UNTIL YOU UNDERSTAND IT, BELEIVE IT AND CAN EXECUTE IT! Potter Palmer founded the luxurious Marshall Fields in Chicago in 1852. It was the epicenter for the wives of the men that built Chicago railways and industry. Fur Salons, Bridal Salons and the famous Walnut Room for dining are still in operation today. ( sadly under Macy's now). When he founded the retail giant, he wrote this missive for his employees about customer service below. You can feel the passion. Read a few times. Are you able to hire and inspire your service staff? As a customer are you thanking people for great service when you receive it? As an employee, are you willing to take on a service role as a calling not a job? We all play a role in raising service standards. Now we need a reset in America. We all when it works; Brand love, revenue, profit, people and customer satisfaction, fame and endurance prevail for the brand that lives by its high service standards. Forbes Travel Guide #Hotels #finedining #luxuryretail #details #passion

Do you know what the hardest part of working in hospitality is? Customers. Which means: people. I believe there is a fundamental flaw in our society that has messed up how we value each other, how we value different jobs and, consequently, different people. During my recent time as a waitress, I was looked down on (though most of the time people didn’t even LOOK at me), spoken down to, regarded with contempt, and treated as, simply put, stupid.  Less worthy of kindness, sympathy, respect. Less. And yet, I’m sure, if the same customers were meeting me in other circumstances, in an office for example, with different clothes instead of an apron, the interaction would be much different. Yet, I’m the same woman. Why is that? Why have we placed more or less value on people based on the type of job they do, disregarding the human beings behind? Why should I feel (or rather, be made to feel) “less than” because I wait tables? I still speak 5 languages. I still have an MA with honours. I am still me. So, I encourage everyone to have a think about the above and try to reframe our collective way of thinking. Catch your own bias next time you are out and about ordering a coffee. Or catching a bus. Or waiting in line at the supermarket. All those people working there are no better or worse than you because -shocking revelation- we are all human beings.  I had hoped we had learnt something from the pandemic. These were the people who, literally, kept our world going, while we were locked at home feeling rather useless. We clapped for all of them every evening at 8pm. We valued them.  Funny how fleeting that value was. Needless to say, there were also lots of amazing, kind customers. Those who gave me the thumbs up on my first shift to encourage me. Those who remembered my name the next day. Those that smiled. Those who simply showed respect. But no, they weren’t the norm, so I hope this post gives us all some food for thought. It shouldn’t be needed to say out loud, but hey everyone: just be kind. It’s free! Picture: me apron free and smiling. Because that’s free also 😉 #recruitment #respect #bias #dei 

The mobile bar and events industry is a blend of incredible opportunity with very real demands. We get to travel, create unforgettable experiences, and work with world-class beverage brands. But let's be honest - it's not ALL glamour and creating cocktails. As we look to expand our team and hire some new recruits (let us know if you're looking or know someone who is) I've been thinking a lot about how we build that crucial work ethic in our new team members. Here's what I've learned over the years: Start with the why, not just the what. When our new starters understand the impact of their role - from making someone's wedding day perfect to executing a flawless product launch - they bring their A-game. We're not just making drinks; we're crafting memories or building brand experiences. Lead by example with energy management, not just time management. Our work can be physically demanding and the hours unpredictable. I make sure our experienced team members demonstrate how to pace themselves, prepare properly, care for their team mates and maintain high standards even during those challenging 12+ hour events. Create a culture of ownership. Each team member, regardless of experience level, gets their moment to shine - whether it's owning a signature serve at an event or taking point on a bar setup. When people feel trusted, they step up. The "work hard, play hard" motto isn't just a cliché in our industry - it's our reality. But the key is teaching our teams how to do both sustainably and professionally. I'd love to hear what strategies those in my network use to develop a strong work ethic in your teams, drop a comment below. 👇 #MobileMixology #EventProfsUK #CocktailCulture #TrainingandRecruitment #TeamWork #Cocktails

Night at the Movies: A Work Christmas Party to Remember! When your workplace culture inspires this much effort for a Christmas party, you know you’re part of something truly special. This year’s Night at the Movies theme didn’t just bring out great costumes—it brought out the heart of who we are as a team. From a handmade Up house, complete with balloons floating high, to a beautifully recreated Ghost pottery scene, the creativity on display was incredible. As for me? I went full classic cinema with a twist—the pixelated shower scene. Hitchcock would be proud... or maybe not! But this night wasn’t just about costumes. It was about what they represented: Passion: Whether at work or at play, this team gives 100 percent—proof that our culture thrives on creativity and commitment. Connection: The best part? Some costumes were even crafted together during arts-and-crafts catch-ups, turning teamwork into laughter-filled memories that brought us closer. From brainstorming ideas to admiring everyone’s creativity, it felt like a celebration of how much we genuinely enjoy each other’s company. Empowerment: When people feel valued, they bring their whole selves to everything—even to the dance floor. Watching everyone let loose, laugh, and enjoy the night showed just how much confidence and support we draw from this team. To my incredible teammates: you’re the reason this workplace is so much more than just a job. Whether we’re tackling big challenges, sharing laughs, or re-creating iconic movie scenes, we’re lifting each other higher every step of the way. Here’s to a workplace that inspires creativity, connection, and just the right amount of cheeky fun. #NRMA #WorkCulture #ChristmasParty #Gratitude

I almost lost a job once for going the extra mile… But if I could go back, I'd still do it all over again. I was 21, working at a beautiful medieval castle-turned-hotel. It was a quiet summer afternoon, and only two of us were on shift. Everyone else had gone home for a break. A well-dressed gentleman walked in and ordered a glass of wine. He mentioned he'd be celebrating his 80 birthday with family that evening. But he was genuinely worried about something… 💭 His family often argued over what to order. So he asked if he could look at the menu ahead of time and choose a few dishes. ↳ I happily agreed. ↳ We picked some starters and mains. ↳ And I even suggested a surprise dessert… He was thrilled! 🙏🏻 When he left, I couldn't wait to tell the team about the special menu. But instead of thanks, I got a warning: "Your job is to serve, so don't waste time on menus" They said if I didn't stick to my role, I might not have a job… I was shocked! 😳 But that day taught me something valuable: → You can lose a job in the blink of an eye, no matter how well you do… But that shouldn't stop you from doing what's right. Because there are places out there where going the extra mile matters. So, always stay true to who you are! 💯 Has anyone else had a similar experience? #values #hospitality #teamwork #customerexperience