W.H. Bender & Associates. Restaurat And Food Consulting.

Bill introducing "The One Minute Manager" to ProStart Students at the NRA Show in Chicago.

It is always rewarding to read a book and discover that you have gained valuable knowledge that can be applied in your life or your career. Here are my Top 10 Books for training and learning for anyone in or entering the restaurant industry. These select books are excellent resources for any owner or manager. The foodservice industry deals daily with every subject and topic you can imagine, especially with the realities of the 24/7 business cycle. Some of us in restaurant management have been present, as I often share with people I meet, with everything from baby births to a customer’s passing. So you better be ready and ProActive with your thinking and your time.

I like these books because they provide information that applies to all of us in foodservice management and they have good advice on marketing, people skills, communication, and professionalism. If you are starting a restaurant or just want to educate yourself and improve your skills, these books will provide some terrific knowledge and insight. I share them with clients often and on training and development assignments.

W.H. Bender’s Top Ten Books for Restaurant Manager Insight

1. The One Minute Manager by Ken Blanchard and Spencer Johnson The best selling book of all time and required reading if you become my client. (ISBN 978-0-688-01429-2) http://www.harpercollins.com http://www.kenblanchard.com
2. On the Brink – The Life and Leadership of Norman Brinker by Norman Brinker and Donald T. Phillips (ISBN 1-56530-212-5) Norman was the founder of Steak and Ale restaurants and creator of the casual dining segment in the restaurant industry. http://www.donaldtphillips.com/on-the-brink.html
3. Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap and Others Don’t by Jim Collins (ISBN 0-06-662099-6) http://www.jimcollins.com
4. The End of Marketing As We Know It by Sergio Zyman The former Chief Marketing Officer for Coca-Cola. (ISBN 0-88730-986-0) http://www.harpercollins.com/books/End-Marketing-As-We-Know-Sergio-Zyman/?isbn=9780887309830
5. The Chipotle Effect by Paul Barron  Brand new book on the changing landscape of the American Food Consumer and how Fast Casual is impacting the future of restaurants. http://chipotleeffect.com/order-book/
6. The Cult of the Customer by Shep Hyken An excellent book on what every Guest Experience should be. (ISBN 978-0-470-40482-9) www.cultofthecustomer.com
7. The Circle of Innovation, You Can’t Shrink Your Way to Greatness by Tom Peters (ISBN 0-375-40157-1) http://www.tompeters.com/toms_world/toms_books.php
8. FISH! A Proven Way to Boost Morale and Improve Results by Stephen C Lundin, Ph.D., Harry Paul and John Christensen (ISBN 0-7868-6602-0) http://www.hyperionbooks.com http://www.charthouse.com
9. Raving Fans A Revolutionary Approach to Customer Service by Kenneth Blanchard and Sheldon M. Bowles (ISBN 0-688-12316-3) http://www.kenblanchard.com
10. Never Eat Alone and Other Secrets to Success, One Relationship at A Time by Keith Ferrazzi with Tahl Raz (ISBN 0-385-51205-8) http://www.keithferrazzi.com/products/never-eat-alone/

After reading please let me know what you think of these books. You are welcome to connect with me via email or social media. I’ll reply within 48 hours.

My friend Paul Barron of DigitalCoco coined the term “Fast-Casual,” founded FastCasual.com and just published The Chipotle Effect. Purchase today from http://chipotleeffect.com/order-book/

A true professional never stops learning and sharing. See you on the social media front!