Creative Hospitality Goes a Long Way in Business and at Work

My friend and colleague Lisa and I decided to try a favorite brunch spot, the Union Cafe’ on Union Street in Schenectady, NY during brunch prime-time, knowing full well that we might have a bit of a wait on our hands, as the Cafe’ was a popular destination with limited table seating. There was indeed a line of diners ahead of us when we arrived; however much to our surprise and delight, the Cafe’ had built an enclosed waiting area with plenty of comfortable chairs, and a coffee station equipped with fresh coffee and all of the fixings:

Lisa enjoying a fresh cup of coffee as we waited to be seated for brunch.
Lisa enjoying a fresh cup of coffee as we waited to be seated for brunch.

It was a refreshing and welcome contrast to other restaurant waiting experiences: we sat comfortably enjoying our coffee as we waited to be seated, rather than crammed in a standing-room-only vestibule – or even worse – standing outside in the cold. Normally not the most patient of patrons when waiting for a table, I didn’t even pay attention to how long we waited. From my perspective, our brunch had already begun with those initial cups of coffee in the welcoming waiting area.

How do you plan and implement creative / radical hospitality for your customers and prospects, in business and at work?