I interview people from various industries to understand the importance of meals in their professional lives. Learn from leaders how to turn gastronomy into a precious soft skill.
BRANDON KINSMAN, CEO & FOUNDER
Brandon Kinsman has always wanted to create his own private club. In 2006 he made his dream come true opening Eight Members Club Bank at the heart of London. Thanks to a very good understanding of of their customers’ expectations, the clubs offer tailor made space & services.
He started his career in advertising before watching « Cocktail » that changed his life. Tom Cruise’s bartender life made him want to work in the food business. To gain experience he became a manager for five years before opening his own place in 1995. As a member of the Groucho club, co-founded by his father Rodney Kinsman, he wanted to create a place where to play poker, listen to good music and have good food.
A members club is a place where everyone is minded providing a feeling of belonging. Members club is not about being exclusive but inclusive. Members look after the staff as they come regularly and create a relationship.
« We know what our members like and don’t like. It allows us to create a personal atmosphere and space. The success of a club relies on how good your staff are. If you don’t have fantastic managers, bartenders, waiters and hosts, it’s not gonna work. You have to instaure a sense of family.»
Eight members club offer a work home during the day thanks to an atmosphere where you can come for breakfast, then to have a meeting, a lunch or entertain and listen to music after work.
« A business meal has always been a good way of conducting business. It puts people in a relay sense. If you can sit you can talk and you can put someone at ease with food. If you get to know people better, it helps business. Food is the crock for many people. »
There are several kinds of places according to the goals. A restaurant is more formal than a lounge which implies a more relax ambiance.
Brandon loves Japanese food. He’s always love cooking thanks to his mum who published a lot of cookbooks for Conran & Habitat. We end up the conversation talking about entrepreneurship.
« Just to follow your dreams if you can do it. You are gonna to work a lot at the beginning and learn the craft. Starting a business is incredibly difficult. You gotta have the luck & the opportunity. »
Eight members club next challenge is to open a place mixing more public & private space including bedrooms in Soho.
Gastronomy is an underestimated asset in your professional success. Make your salesteam save time learning in a few hours how to better understand people & better work with them.
Empowerment : why and how gastronomy help you gain confidence. Leadership : the basics of communication and the art of asking the right questions. Culture : boost your conversation throughout historical meals & gourmet artists.