Hospitable

Omniboost
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Hospitable

Hospitable is a podcast that discusses how to make hospitality MORE human through technology. Hospitable focuses on discussing the leading challenges facing the hospitality industry and to explore the latest trends, technologies, and best practices that are shaping the industry. Each episode features interviews with hoteliers, restaurateurs, chefs, industry analysts, and other experts who share their insights and experiences on topics such as customer experience, sustainability, innovation, staffing, and more. Hosted by Rob Napoli

  1. MAR 27

    How to Get Rid of Lazy Hotel Business with Levar Jackson of Yogh Group

    What if hotels weren’t just places to stay, but models for sustainability and innovation? In this episode of Hospitable, Rob Napoli sits down with Levar Jackson, CEO of Yogh Group, to discuss the reality of “lazy business” in hospitality — and what needs to change. From innovative ROI-backed sustainability solutions to challenging industry norms, Levar shares real talk and real solutions to make hospitality smarter, greener, and more impactful. 🧠 Topics Covered- Why sustainability must be additive, not subtractive- How lazy thinking affects the bottom line- Building HVAC systems that generate profit- Partnerships with universities to spark innovation- How inclusivity fuels innovation in hospitality 💡 Whether you're a hotelier, operations leader, or hospitality tech professional — this episode will shift how you think about efficiency, sustainability, and growth. 📢 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more game-changing conversations. Learn more at: https://www.omniboost.io Timestamps00:29 – Rob introduces Levar and the Yogh Group01:45 – How Levar entered hospitality via art02:47 – Hotel waste: Why art and furnishings go to landfills04:17 – “We have all the tools we’re just using the wrong ones”05:38 – Almond trees in SoCal = unsustainable agriculture06:21 – The social cost of skipping travel08:30 – ROI on sustainability: It’s already there11:22 – Minibar logic: Use ROI to drive sustainable upgrades12:19 – Turning HVAC into a power generator18:32 – How conglomerates can engage universities for innovation21:30 – The $22k scholarship story that changed a life28:17 – Friction in leadership = stronger ideas ConnectYogh Group: https://www.yogh.group/Levar Jackson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/levarjackson/Omniboost: https://omniboost.io/Rob Napoli: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robnap/Rob Napoli: https://www.robnapoli.com/ Show Produced by: Niranjan Deshpande (Nick), Broken Frames Studio, www.brokenframesstudio.com #HospitalityInnovation #SustainableHotels #LevarJackson #YoghGroup #HospitalityTech #HotelSustainability #GreenHospitality #LazyBusiness #HospitalityLeadership #FutureOfHotels #RobNapoli #OmniboostPodcast #HospitablePodcast #SmartSustainability #HospitalityROI

    35 min

  2. FEB 27

    From Tech to POS with Koen Lavrijssen, Founder & CEO of Winston

    We sit down with Koen Lavrijssen, Founder & CEO of Winston POS, to explore how his company is redefining point-of-sale technology for the hospitality industry.   Born from a single frustrating restaurant experience, Winston POS was built to work with hospitality staff—not against them. Koen shares his journey from tech to POS, highlighting the importance of simplicity, usability, and innovation in restaurant and hotel operations.   Key takeaways include:  - Why most POS systems fail hospitality businesses  - The importance of keeping systems simple yet powerful  - How Winston POS’s dealer and partner model accelerates growth  - Expanding into the U.S.: Unique challenges & opportunities   Discover how Winston POS is transforming the industry with a fresh approach to POS technology.   📢 What features do you think make the perfect POS system? Let us know in the comments!   👍 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell for more insights on hospitality technology. Timestamps [00:01:18] – How Winston POS was born from restaurant frustration[00:02:21] – What makes a POS system truly user-friendly[00:05:40] – The balance between simplicity and functionality[00:10:41] – The dealer model: Why it’s essential for restaurant tech[00:15:17] – Why POS should integrate rather than compete with other tech[00:18:28] – “Hospitality is Chaos in Motion” – Adapting to fast-paced environments[00:24:17] – How technology gives staff more time to focus on customers[00:28:02] – Winston POS’s upcoming U.S. launch: What to expect[00:29:26] – The philosophy behind “A system that works with you, not against you”[00:30:24] – Where to find more about Winston POS & how to connect ConnectWinston: https://winstonpos.comKoen Lavrijssen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/klavrijssen/Omniboost: https://omniboost.io/Rob Napoli: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robnap/Rob Napoli: https://www.robnapoli.com/ Show Produced by: Niranjan Deshpande (Nick), Broken Frames Studio, www.brokenframesstudio.com #HospitablePodcast #HospitalityTech #POSInnovation #WinstonPOS #RestaurantTech #HotelTech #FutureOfHospitality

    32 min

  3. JAN 16

    Trends and Insights with Maximilian Huber from gastronovi

    We explore the future of hospitality technology with Maximilian Huber, integration specialist at gastronovi. Max shares his journey from growing up in a family-owned hotel to becoming a leader in gastronomy tech, offering valuable perspectives on how technology is transforming restaurant and hotel operations. Key topics discussed include:- The evolution of gastronomy technology and its impact on hospitality.- How gastronovi’s modular systems simplify complex processes for restaurants and hotels.- The rise of ghost kitchens and self-ordering systems.- How AI is reshaping restaurant workflows, from QR code menus to automation. Discover how gastronovi is driving innovation to streamline operations while maintaining the human connection at the heart of hospitality. 📢 What trends do you think will shape hospitality in 2025? Share your thoughts in the comments! 👍 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell for more episodes exploring the intersection of technology and hospitality. Timestamps:00:00 Welcome to Hospitable with Rob Napoli00:03 Meet Maximilian Huber: From Hotels to Tech Innovation00:45 Growing Up in Hospitality: Max’s Unique Perspective01:20 The Complexity of Hospitality Tech and Frontline Solutions03:15 How gastronovi Simplifies Gastronomy Digitization05:30 Modular Systems for Restaurants: Flexibility Meets Function08:20 Ghost Kitchens: A Trend or the Future?11:15 How AI Enhances Restaurant Operations13:40 Improving Guest and Staff Experiences Through Tech16:00 Gastronomy Trends to Watch for in 202519:50 Closing Thoughts: The Future of Hospitality Innovation Connectgastronovi: http://www.gastronovi.comMaximilian Huber: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maximilian-huber-24061995/Omniboost: https://omniboost.io/Rob Napoli: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robnap/Rob Napoli: https://www.robnapoli.com/ Show Produced by: Niranjan Deshpande (Nick), Broken Frames Studio, www.brokenframesstudio.com

    34 min

  4. 12/12/2024

    The Restaurant Business with Wink Jones, CEO of Meal Ticket

    An inspiring conversation with Wink Jones, CEO and founding member of Meal Ticket. Since its launch in 2011, Meal Ticket has been transforming the food service industry with cutting-edge technology. Wink takes us on his journey from starting in a small garage to leading a company that processes billions in sales data. He shares the challenges and rewards of building relationships in the food tech space, highlights the value of face-to-face interactions, and explains how Meal Ticket uses data to empower restaurants and distributors. We explore the current state of hospitality technology, the growing influence of AI, and emerging trends to watch as we approach 2025. Wink also offers actionable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, emphasizing the importance of financial awareness and perseverance in achieving success. Whether you're part of the hospitality industry or curious about how technology is reshaping food service, this episode is filled with insights and inspiration you won’t want to miss! Audio Timestamps. [00:01:43] Distributor data mining for marketing. [00:08:11] Relationship first in technology. [00:10:41] Data ownership and management. [00:11:47] Human to human relationships. [00:16:20] Building relationships in business. [00:20:28] Travel's impact on business perspective. [00:25:19] AI's impact on the restaurant industry. [00:26:31] AI in operational efficiency. [00:30:35] Startup challenges and serendipity. [00:33:49] Serendipitous luck in entrepreneurship. [00:36:16] Guest suggestions and topics. Quotes00:01:20 - "I think it's really hard to engage in a partnership or do something really strategic unless you've sat down at dinner together."00:04:22 - "We got like crazy click rates, and then they sold out in like two hours."00:05:40 - "The fun and challenging thing about food tech is that I think we're behind the technology curve as an industry in general."00:08:59 - "What we do want to do is help them stay in business. We want them to be smarter."00:12:24 - "But the way that we treat data, the sanctity that we treat data with, it's one of our core values is that your data is your data."00:12:30 - "Data does tell a story. They could tell us the right story, but we have to put it in a way to make that story accessible, understandable, and usable."00:16:45 - "I think it's really hard to engage in a partnership or do something really strategic unless you've sat down at dinner together."00:18:24 - "Technology is only as good as the people that are using it, right?"00:22:03 - "I didn't expect what I experienced there."00:25:01 - "We have to make sure that what we're providing isn't just a nice to have, but it actually is saving them money and helping them stay in business."00:27:12 - "I don't think anybody wants to sit at a bar and be served by a robot yet."00:28:14 - "I'd like to say in a cheeky way that we've been using AI since AI was cool."00:32:43 - "You can't underestimate the amount of work that goes in and the amount of serendipity that is responsible for success."00:34:24 - "Just be careful about taking on financing and you're married to your investors."00:36:25 - "It's really easy to get lost in the here and now and not the full picture." ConnectMeal Ticket: https://www.mealticket.com/Wink Jones:https://www.linkedin.com/in/wink-jones-ba58b0/Omniboost: https://omniboost.io/Rob Napoli: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robnap/Rob Napoli: https://www.robnapoli.com/ Show Produced by: Niranjan Deshpande (Nick), Broken Frames Studio, www.brokenframesstudio.com

    37 min

  5. 11/28/2024

    The Magic of the Restaurant Business with Chris Tripoli

    Hospitality veteran Chris Tripoli shares his journey through the restaurant industry, emphasizing the importance of passion, connection, and adaptability. Chris offers practical advice on creating memorable guest experiences, managing operations with technology, and balancing vision with flexibility in a competitive market. Chris reflects on the role of tech in enhancing efficiency and guest satisfaction, stressing its support for personal, guest-focused service. With stories of travel and cultural inspiration, he highlights the enduring value of genuine hospitality. Tune in for insights and inspiration from one of the industry's most seasoned professionals! Timestamps[00:04:11] Lifelong passion for restaurants. [00:07:38] People serving people in hospitality. [00:09:04] Passion in the restaurant industry. [00:13:02] Restaurant ownership challenges. [00:18:04] Money management technology in dining. [00:20:42] Guest experience in dining. [00:22:37] Community events impact restaurant planning. [00:26:52] Managing restaurant data effectively. [00:29:58] Annual planning and technology. [00:35:03] Guest experience and technology. [00:36:13] Corner Booth podcast discussion. Quotes00:01:12 - "It's one of the hardest things you'll ever do. And if you don't love it... If you just don't have that personal connection, I don't know, it's going to be too hard down the line."00:07:08 - "It's a people business. You enjoy serving people, but you do this because you must enjoy working with people."00:09:33 - "The principle is you have to like working with people in a way that serves people."00:10:38 - "What I want to hear first is somebody's leading with passion."00:12:47 - "Not everyone needs to own a restaurant. Yeah. And because it isn't for everyone."00:15:17 - "It starts with passion, right? And, and, and looking for passion."00:18:16 - "The absolute minimum, though, is a POS system that's going to be able to help you manage product and labor."00:21:13 - "It doesn't have to be a special occasion restaurant to make somebody's occasion feel special."00:23:11 - "Technology becomes such a really cool piece in why restaurateurs need to understand the value of technology and the value of choosing the right things."00:25:32 - "The best restaurants today are managed week by week."00:28:03 - "It's there for a reason."00:30:07 - "If you're moving, you're managing and the technology's in your hand."00:34:01 - "It's going to be the rediscovery of the guest."00:35:38 - "Our operations are going to be measured by the improved guest experience." ConnectThe Restaurant Clinic: https://www.therestaurantclinic.com/Chris Tripoli: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ctripoli/Chris Tripoli: https://www.christripoli.com/Omniboost: https://omniboost.io/Rob Napoli: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robnap/Rob Napoli: https://www.robnapoli.com/ Show Produced by: Niranjan Deshpande (Nick), Broken Frames Studio, www.brokenframesstudio.com

    37 min

  6. 11/14/2024

    Making an Impact with Greg Früchtenicht from Saira Hospitality

    We sit down with Greg Früchtenicht, Chief Operating Officer at Saira Hospitality, to explore how technology and human connection can work hand-in-hand to create meaningful change in the hospitality industry. Saira Hospitality, a pioneering nonprofit, builds pop-up hospitality schools worldwide to train and empower local communities, equipping individuals from underserved areas with the skills to thrive in luxury hospitality environments. Greg shares his journey with Saira and dives into the organization's mission to uplift local talent, reducing reliance on overseas hires and fostering a stronger sense of community impact. We discuss how automation and technology help alleviate repetitive tasks, freeing up hospitality teams to focus on exceptional guest experiences. Greg also highlights Saira’s unique partnerships with luxury hotels and tech companies like Mews, showing how Saira is preparing its graduates with essential tech skills for the evolving hospitality landscape. Whether you’re passionate about hospitality, technology, or social impact, this episode offers inspiring insights into how Saira Hospitality is transforming lives and the industry as a whole. Tune in to discover how technology can complement a human-centered approach, making hospitality more accessible and impactful for everyone involved. Thank you for listening! Be sure to like, subscribe, and share to support our channel and help spread the word about how technology and community can come together in powerful ways. Timestamps00:00 Introduction00:30 Greg's journey to Saira Hospitality03:00 Overview of Saira Hospitality's mission10:00 The impact of technology in hospitality20:00 Partnerships with tech companies30:00 Curriculum development and community engagement38:00 How to get involved with Saira Hospitality Quotes00:00:45 - "If you are able to automate and simplify some of the more mundane or less human tasks in a hotel, that frees up so much headspace and so much actual time for the teams to celebrate and deliver great hospitality."00:04:58 - "Opportunities should be given to local community members and considering local community members is not having the right skills to work in a luxury lifestyle hotel is simply wrong."00:06:45 - "We shouldn't just be poaching people anymore or flying people in from overseas. We should be giving people opportunities."00:09:12 - "Hospitality is a transformative experience for so many people."00:11:41 - "Sometimes you got to shoot your shot when you hear about something that excites you."00:13:28 - "It's really easy to see is the impact that a hotel at any level, especially luxury hotels, has a huge impact on the community."00:15:45 - "Automation... frees up so much headspace and so much actual time for the teams to celebrate and deliver great hospitality."00:19:49 - "AI and automation is not meant to replace, it's meant to help."00:22:03 - "If as a technology company, you're able to say we're supporting a nonprofit, and we're also able to say to our customers, we're bringing in newly trained teams who are impassioned by our tech, but also your brand, you start to solve two problems."00:25:32 - "It's easy to talk about these things, hard to put into practice."00:26:59 - "Most people or many people do want to do the right thing. It's just how do you take your focus off profitability?"00:30:36 - "No two destinations are the same."00:32:01 - "You're much more interested in who they are as a person and their personality than what they studied at school 10 years ago."00:35:30 - "It's how can we start to partner with... brands that we feel are aligned with the vision that we have and the impact that we're having."00:36:17 - "I often find that you guys are great problems solvers."00:39:01 - "the impact that you're creating in communities." ConnectSaira Hospitality: https://www.sairahospitality.com/Greg Früchtenicht: https://www.linkedin.com/in/greg-fr%C3%BCchtenicht-8070569a/?originalSubdomain=ukOmniboost: https://omniboost.io/Rob Napoli: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robnap/Rob Napoli: https://www.robnapoli.com/ Show Produced by: Niranjan Deshpande (Nick), Broken Frames Studio, www.brokenframesstudio.com

    38 min

  7. 10/31/2024

    The bigger picture behind Restaurant Data with Tom Rutledge of RDMS

    We delve into the intersection of technology and the human experience in the restaurant industry. Join us as we welcome Tom Rutledge, owner and managing partner of RDMS Group, who brings over 20 years of expertise to the table. Tom discusses how to blend culinary artistry with operational efficiency and financial savvy, emphasizing the critical role of technology in creating extraordinary dining experiences.  Key themes include data-driven decision-making, the balance between digital tools and personal service, and the importance of financial literacy in restaurant management. With insights into average check size and prime cost, Tom sheds light on how restaurateurs can leverage data to optimize operations and elevate customer satisfaction, making this episode a must-listen for anyone in the hospitality sector. Don’t forget to like and subscribe for more episodes that explore the integration of technology in the hospitality sector! Timestamps [00:04:37] Restaurant industry data challenges. [00:08:34] Restaurant concept clarity. [00:11:25] Financial literacy in restaurant startups. [00:14:34] Average check size dynamics. [00:17:18] Business model of culinary experiences. [00:22:19] Importance of prime cost analysis. [00:22:50] Prime cost management strategies. [00:26:31] Food cost management strategies. [00:30:21] Technology in restaurant service. [00:32:46] Menu psychology in restaurants. [00:38:00] Data utilization in restaurants. [00:39:43] Data-driven decision making in restaurants. [00:43:04] Authentic Italian dining experience. [00:46:37] Technology's impact on restaurants. [00:50:07] Restaurant management meetings effectiveness. [00:52:36] Consistency in restaurant data analysis. Quotes 00:01:01 - "For me, it's can you explain your restaurant in a sentence? What is your vision?" 00:03:33 - "The restaurant space is amazing and terrible and fun and awful and all those fun things all at the same time for a lot of reasons." 00:06:46 - "This industry can get overly saturated with ideas, but not necessarily execution when it comes to technology in particular." 00:10:08 - "Can you explain your restaurant in a sentence?" 00:12:49 - "If your lease is going to be 20% of your monthly revenue, you're dead before you open." 00:15:00 - "Food is a religion, right? And you go to dinner, it's a two-hour affair." 00:17:45 - "You have to listen more than you have to like be a trendsetter." 00:19:50 - "Just who do you want to be?" 00:20:42 - "We have a low bar and we deliver higher." 00:23:11 - "The classic move in the restaurants is often to just cut, cut, cut, cut, cut, as opposed to analyze and reassess." 00:27:13 - "When avocado goes through the roof, we tell our servers, hey guys, avocado is really expensive. Sell the trio." 00:28:12 - "I'm an open checkbook. I'm kind of like, make me happy and I will just order things." 00:31:13 - "Management shouldn't be compiling data; they should be using data." 00:34:10 - "I think the physical menu in the restaurant, regardless of how digital it can get, you lose something when you just give somebody their phone and they have to scroll." 00:35:36 - "I still think at my core, 90% of the neighborhood full service restaurants it's a people game more than it is anything else." 00:39:57 - "Data for data's sake is useless unless you understand what you're looking at and how you're using it." 00:40:56 - "Does the guest see you the way you see yourself, I think is another important comment." 00:44:39 - "It was a love letter to my grandmother, and it was New York Italian." 00:46:50 - "it's all about how the guest gets to see themselves when they sit down and how they feel when they leave." 00:48:52 - "I think you just have to do things very deliberately in this industry more so than ever before." 00:50:34 - "That's where I think data becomes really impactful with these different technology systems is that you can look at trends over time." 00:53:15 - "I actually think there's one piece of technology that is a false claim in this industry that I think a lot of people spend a lot of time and money on that I don't think works for most people." 00:55:22 - "I wake up dreaming of it every morning." 00:56:38 - "Make sure you be a tier one, like, subscribe, review, do all those things." Connect RDMS: https://www.rdmsgroup.com/ Tom Rutledge: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-rutledge-53830033/ Tom Rutledge: https://www.instagram.com/rdmsgroup/ Omniboost: https://omniboost.io/ Rob Napoli: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robnap/ Rob Napoli: https://www.robnapoli.com/ Show Produced by: Niranjan Deshpande (Nick), Broken Frames Studio, www.brokenframesstudio.com

    56 min

  8. 10/17/2024

    Personalizing Your Travel Experience with ExpectMe with Co-Founders Roeland Verhamme and Jeroen Vaassen

    Ready to take your travel experience to the next level? In this episode of "Hospitable," co-founders Roeland Verhamme and Jeroen Vaassen of ExpectMe reveal how their cutting-edge platform is revolutionizing hotel stays by allowing guests to select specific rooms based on personal preferences. Imagine choosing a room just like you would a seat on a plane – it’s a game-changer! We dive into the power of personalization in hospitality, the impact on guest satisfaction, and how hotels can unlock hidden revenue with this innovative approach. Whether you're a frequent traveler or a hotelier, this episode is packed with insights you won't want to miss! Tune in, and don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share your thoughts in the comments! Timestamps[00:03:58] Room selection in hospitality. [00:08:45] Guest experience and technology integration. [00:11:00] Personalized guest experiences. [00:14:20] Personalized hotel room selection. [00:18:04] Unique travel experiences for guests. [00:19:01] Room selection and guest preferences. [00:23:36] Guest experience and hotel flexibility. [00:25:44] Human connection in hospitality. [00:30:01] Guest experience and room selection. [00:34:39] Customer lifetime value in hospitality. [00:37:11] Flexibility in hotel room selection. [00:39:57] Guest experience in podcasting. Quotes00:01:08 - "You can create so much of a unique opportunity for the guest experience and the hotel that provide that guest experience."00:04:43 - "That was a real anticlimax because I booked a room with a sea view... but that expectation was definitely not met."00:09:07 - "I do think that also bringing somebody in that's not his whole career and whole life could also be super helpful by thinking about how do we build a better mousetrap."00:10:55 - "I think that hotels, they can do such a great job by focusing more towards the experience that they can provide."00:14:11 - "I love this idea that you can actually personalize that experience based on the city that you're in and the type of travel that you're doing."00:16:02 - "I think if you think about the rigid room types, you're sort of forcing people to think in what makes sense for you as a hotel."00:19:31 - "I want a different experience every time I go somewhere."00:22:09 - "There's only one person that knows which room you really would like and that's you as a hotel guest yourself."00:24:39 - "Even if some of those simple questions, that could have been a huge change in the guest experience taking into account."00:27:11 - "We want to take the burden away from the hotel as well so that they can actually have time to spend with the guests on talking about how was your flight?"00:28:36 - "That is something to pay attention to, right? And that does affect the guest experience."00:31:07 - "For them it's a no-brainer because they all say, I mean, yeah, why am I not able to select my room? Yeah, that would be actually a really great experience."00:34:03 - "I think that's such a unique, there's a uniqueness to this where this could really change how you experience the hotel."00:35:58 - "I think we're just at the beginning, right? And I think to your point, we're obviously a startup, we're just getting warmed up."00:38:51 - "We're omnivores. We love automation. We love process simplicity, right? That's the name of the game." ConnectExpectMe: https://expect-me.com/Roeland Verhamme: https://www.linkedin.com/in/roelandverhamme/Jeroen Vaassen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jvaassen/Roeland Verhamme: https://www.instagram.com/roeland.verhamme/Jeroen Vaassen: https://www.instagram.com/jvaassen/Omniboost: https://omniboost.io/Rob Napoli: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robnap/Rob Napoli: https://www.robnapoli.com/ Show Produced by: Niranjan Deshpande (Nick), Broken Frames Studio, www.brokenframesstudio.com

    41 min
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About

Hospitable is a podcast that discusses how to make hospitality MORE human through technology. Hospitable focuses on discussing the leading challenges facing the hospitality industry and to explore the latest trends, technologies, and best practices that are shaping the industry. Each episode features interviews with hoteliers, restaurateurs, chefs, industry analysts, and other experts who share their insights and experiences on topics such as customer experience, sustainability, innovation, staffing, and more. Hosted by Rob Napoli

Information

  • Creator
    Omniboost
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2025
  • Episodes
    39
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © @ 2023 Hospitable Podcast powered by Omniboost Inc.
  • Show Website
    Hospitable

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