Secrets to Ongoing Success

What do you see when you look in the mirror? For the most part, you see someone who you feel pretty good about. But when you start thinking that this person in the mirror is better than others, you may be going down the wrong road. This book isn't about being better. It is about being different and the drive to push yourself, and your teams, further. The truth is that being different is what sets you apart from others because "different is better than better." This is a thinking book. It is one that creates a partnership between the author and the reader to focus on where your roots to business started and what has happened since. Most creative people (most leaders in the Hospitality Industry) become complacent over time. This may have come from having too much early success, being overwhelmed with too much to do or simply going on auto-drive. In this book, we look at the "what's next" approach and realize that we must celebrate our wins and then move forward quickly. Because with each win, someone is looking to copy or improve on your success. Innovative, forward thinkers who stay current are the ones who stay on top of the industry long term.

Success is never a given and when you achieve success, it is measured very differently by most people. For some, success is strictly financial, while for others, it is about fame and recognition. But, what does success mean for you? The answer may be quite varied at different times, but one thing is for sure: Everyone is at a different stage in their lives and there will be many professional and personal wins along each person's individual path. There also will be many more obstacles. How you deal with those obstacles will define who you will become and whether your success will be ongoing. Keeping yourself fresh involves surrounding yourself with great people, who in many cases provide you with strengths that you do not have. The underlying question that has helped shape the great teams that I have been a part of will always be "What do you think?" It forces people to evaluate themselves as well as the person who asked the question. They will then begin the process of defining who they are and who you are to them. Leadership involves challenging yourself and others. By asking your team what they think, you are getting them involved in decisions. Even if you believe they are off base, you can use their responses as a teaching moment. At the same time, great ideas from others can transform you and keep you thinking ahead. This book will take you through the story of how you got to where you are today and where you have taken some miss-steps. Most important, is how you will adapt at the end of the book. You will define (or re-define) your future after reading each chapter and reviewing the key takeaways. It does not matter how old you are or what you have accomplished so far. It is about how you define who you are moving forward. It is time to re-energize yourself, the people around you and your business. It is time to be different, so that you avoid being measured by being better. And, it is time to continue to develop yourself and your team by challenging the status quo. Watch everything around you, ask lots of questions and be a great listener. If you do this, I promise that you will keep yourself and your organization ahead of the curve

About the Author Bruce Reinstein is a hospitality industry executive who grew up working in his family's restaurant business, starting when he was 13 years old. He then went on to attend the Cornell University School of Hotel Administration. Bruce worked for Hyatt Hotels out of college where had the opportunity to learn from some great industry leaders. His work ethic and desire to continue to improve moved him quickly up the ladder. It also gave him the opportunity to understand the importance of giving back to others based on what he learned from his mentors. One of his greatest pleasures was coming back home to Boston to join his father David, and brothers Eliot and Larry, in growing the Souper Salad brand. In 1996, Bruce and his brother Larry started Fresh City and built it into a national concept, which was awarded the Nation's Restaurant News Hot Concepts Award. Fresh City was truly an innovative brand that was a leader in the Fast-Casual revolution. In 2011, after selling the Fresh City concept, Bruce was fortunate to become president of Consolidated Concepts, a company he grew to more than 200 clients. He currently is the founder of Big Splash Advisors where he focuses on bold and innovative foodservice solutions. He continues to look for the next chapter that will make a difference for both himself and the professional people he is able to work with.