The 4 Attitudes of Awesome Hospitality

Hospitality relates to the Latin term philoxenia, or "the love of strangers." And stranger is defined as "someone with whom you have not yet been acquainted." Therefore, your objective as a builder of organizational front porches is to extend love to those with whom you have not yet been acquainted.

The effectiveness of any organization's front porch is a function of its hospitality ? that of its members, its staff and the group itself. In this article we'll take a closer look at approachability as it pertains to the connectedness of groups ? namely, The New Guys; because those are the individuals who benefit from it the most.

When I began wearing a nametag all day, every day, the type of people with whom I most frequently interacted was strangers. (They still are) And I love it! It's a blessing to extend my front porch to new and interesting people, all the while making them feel comfortable because of the level of approachability. What's more, what an accomplishment it is to combat the coarsening of our fear-laden culture by opening up to new people.

But when I started my business a few years ago, I joined several organizations, clubs, groups, etc. and began to feel the reciprocity of that same hospitality. As The New Guy ? not to mention the young guy ? existing members welcomed me with open arms. They gave me the inside track on the organization. Some even offered to take me under their wing! And I was grateful. I was comfortable.

Most importantly, I felt welcomed.

To solidify the approachability of you and your organization, here are the Attitudes of Awesome Hospitality?.

AWESOME ATTITUDE #1: Beyond Hello
People often believe that a quick greeting, a handshake and a mutual offering of Fruitless Questions and F.I.N.E's equals hospitality.

False.

Hospitality is more than just saying hello. And nobody understands this element of hospitality better than a Ritz Carlton employee ? especially a doorman; especially my coworker DeWitt.

The first time I met DeWitt was on a crisp fall morning on the front drive. I introduced myself and he gave me a solid handshake, a cheeky smile and pat on the back. He started telling me all about hospitality and Guest Service at the Ritz, and gave me some great tips to make the guests feel welcome.

After a few hours of check-ins and getting to know each other, DeWitt said something I'll never forget:

"Scott, I want to sell you a boat."

"You?want to sell me?a boat? Oh-kayyy?what kind of boat??"

"Well, it's actually not really boat. It's more of a ship: Friendship, Fellowship and Relationship. What do you say?"

I'll take it.

That is the essence of Awesome Hospitality. Not just saying hello. Not just introducing yourself, but offering a new person your friendship, fellowship and relationship.

AWESOME ATTITUDE #2: How to Treat Others
Hospitality is also an expression of the Golden Rule, which as you know is "treat others as you want to be treated." Everyone knows this phrase. It's been ingrained into our minds and souls by our parents, our teachers and our mentors.

But does everyone practice the Golden Rule?

Here's another way to look at it: do you remember when YOU were The New Guy? Did people extend themselves? Did you feel welcomed? If so, you probably connected with new people immediately, took an active role in the organization and felt proud to be a part of it. If not, you probably never came back to another meeting again.

So you can put this phrase into practice by empathizing with the new people, the visitors and guests. Think how great it felt to be welcomed in. Remember: you used to be The New Guy.

AWESOME ATTITUDE #3: The Member Mindset
It's impossible to talk about any organization without using the word member. Think of the groups of which you are a member ? what does that mean to you?

You might say "Being a member allows me to be part of the group," or "Being a member means I get to go to all the meetings." But most people see membership as entitlement:

Members are entitled to?

Here's what you get with your membership?

These are the benefits to being a member?

I looked up member in several dictionaries and none of them said anything about entitlement. They didn't say anything about paying dues so you could get exclusive benefits. They simply defined it as "one that belongs to a group or an organization."

When did this Member Mindset evolve into "What stuff do I get when I join?" People forget that being part of an organization has more to do with serving others, and less to do with being served by others.

AWESOME ATTITUDE #4: Who Are Your Greeters?
If there's any group of individuals who extend their organizational front porch by serving new people, it's the Greeters. During one of my speeches at a Hospitality Conference, I asked my audience of 300 people to stand up if their position was "Greeter."

About 25 people got up.

I thanked those who stood and asked the remainder of the audience to give them a hearty applause.

When the clapping died down I said, "Without Greeters like these, building front porches in any organization would be tough."

I then said, "But what if The New Guy ? let's call him Terry ? came to your group. He walked in the door, looked around for a minute and felt a bit lost. Then Janet, an existing member, noticed Terry's behavior and decided to approach him. She struck up a conversation and they connected immediately! And all the while, Janet made Terry feel welcomed, comfortable and part of the group.

A few minutes later, Terry asked, 'So, Janet?are you one of the Greeters here?'

And Janet said, 'No ? I just wanted to welcome you to our group.'"

I just wanted to welcome you to our group.

I then repeated my original request to the audience:

"Now, let me ask you this one more time: please stand up if you are a Greeter for your organization."

300 people got up out of their chairs. And I reminded them that everyone is a greeter.

© 2005 All Rights Reserved.

Scott Ginsberg is a professional speaker, "The World's Foremost Expert on Nametags" and the author of HELLO my name is Scott and The Power of Approachability. He helps people MAXIMIZE their approachability and become UNFORGETTABLE communicators - one conversation at a time. For more information contact Front Porch Productions at http://www.hellomynameisscott.com.

In The News:

---

How to Create an Interest Story for the Press

What makes a good interest story?An interest story is just... Read More

62 Ways to MAXIMIZE Your Approachability

If you walk into your local bookstore and pick up... Read More

Build Your Business through Strategic Networking

Networking ? it's the latest business trend. Or is it?Actually,... Read More

34 Power Affirmations for Networking with the Affluent

Here are 34 affirmations I have created after studying the... Read More

Keys to Successful Networking While In Transition

Let's be real. With other pressures of life upon us,... Read More

Network Marketing Secret: On Becoming the ?GoTo? Guy

For years we've been taught to identify ourselves as reps... Read More

Are You Building Relationships Online?

How's your relationship?I'm not prying into your personal life, so... Read More

Mobile Car Wash Companies; Trading Tips

If you run a mobile car washing firm we recommend... Read More

Five Best Ways To Build A Network

I have been working from home on the internet for... Read More

Five Steps for Expanding Your Customer Base with Guerilla Networking

As a single company, it is impossible to provide your... Read More

Building Great Business Relationships

If you're in a business relationship with anyone ? a... Read More

Follow-Up with Your Contacts

What happens when you meet a potential client at an... Read More

Giving the Gift of Your Name (The Networking Factor)

Although, this is about giving the gift of your name... Read More

Marketing Essentials: The 15 Second Elevator Speech

You're at a conference. Someone steps in the elevator, notices... Read More

Social Network Software

My neighbor ? a lovely man I've known, and have... Read More

Client Attraction Technique #2: Networking

One of the most cost effective ways of generating leads... Read More

Networking: What the Heck is a Ryze?

If you're new to the internet marketing club, you may... Read More

Planting the Seeds of Greatness - Make it Great Newsletter #7

Thought of the WeekThis week, I'd like to challenge you... Read More

How to Organize a Successful Bad Sweater Party

"Hey Scott, would you like to go to a Bad... Read More

Small File Box With Resumes to Help Customers

I bet you have not thought about it much, but... Read More

Acknowledging Referrals! What?s in It For You?

I grew up in a household where saying thank you... Read More

Networking in the Change Room: 5 Ways to Network Effectively While Getting Undressed

There's a time and place to network with people in... Read More

Did You Market Yourself Today?

"If you build a better mouse trap - the world... Read More

Networking in the Business world

Why is it so important to network with other people... Read More

Your Front End

While surfing for traffic or browsing your safelist emails, you... Read More

Jump Start Your Network

Networking is often identified as a key business building activity... Read More

Successfully Meeting And Greeting - Ten Strategies For Getting Off To A Good Start

A day in the life of every businessperson is made... Read More

It Pays to be Friendly

Most small business people do not take advantage of human... Read More

Network Your Way to Success, and Remember: Its Not About You!

Quote of the week"The answer is always no...unless you ask."... Read More

10 Steps to Successful Networking

"It's not what you know, it's who you know."This old... Read More

The Foundation of Networking: Its Not Rocket Science

Commandment 1LoveWhen we choose to simply love, our giving and... Read More

Volunteering for a Networking Group

When is it appropriate to volunteer to take a position... Read More

Ask for Referrals: And Get the Answer You Want!

Why are people scared to ask for a referral? Is... Read More