Isadore Sharp, FOUR SEASONS HOTELS AND RESORTS founder, chairman: Mr. Media Audio Interview

Isadore Sharp, chairman and founder of Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, gives Mr. Media the business!

How did a child of immigrants, starting with no background in the hotel business, create the world’s most admired and successful hotel chain? And how has Four Seasons grown dramatically, over nearly a half century, without losing its focus on exceptional quality and unparalleled service?

Isadore Sharp answers these questions in his engaging memoir, Four Seasons: The Story of a Business Philosophy, which doubles as a powerful guide for leaders in any field. He recalls the surprising history of his company, starting with its roots in his father’s small construction business, which Sharp joined after getting a degree in architecture. Shifting into hotels wasn’t easy, and he learned by trial and error.

His breakthrough was a vision for a new kind of hotel, featuring superior design, top-quality amenities, and, above all, a deep commitment to service. Sharp realized that customers would gladly pay extra for a “home away from home” experience. But that would be possible only if everyone—from managers and supervisors to bellmen, servers, and housekeepers—was fully engaged. The front-line staff, who have the most contact with guests, can make or break a five-star reputation.

Readers will be fascinated to learn how Four Seasons does it, year after year, in more than thirty countries around the world. Follow the Four Seasons book on Twitter HERE!

Isadore Sharp, founder, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts