Biography: James Harries-Reynolds, Founder and CEO, The Hospitality Training Co.
James is a world class customer service specialist. He is a Hospitality trainer with over 35 years experience in the Hospitality and Food Service industry. James has worked and trained staff for companies such as Ritz-Carlton, Starwood and Regent Hotels, T.G.I. Friday’s, McDonalds and Bloomingdale's.
A graduate of Australia’s Bond University, School of Business, James holds a Bachelor’s degree of Commerce, with majors in Marketing and Hospitality. He has always been drawn to understanding the Hospitality industry, and more specifically, customer service.
One of James’ first training jobs was at the Don Burrow’s Supper Club, at theSydney Regent Hotel[i]. With an unusually high turnover and, on weekends, agency temps, James developed what he called “The James Harries' Course in Don Burrow’s Supper Club Waitering!” Repeating the course every week, James became a training expert, all at the age of 24!
James has always been passionate about training, finding that well trained staff are not only important, but integral for any business to succeed. “Motivating staff, through a great training experience, is like putting fertilizer on your business! It stimulates growth. Training is an investment in the future. Any program that inspires people to do better is something that everyone benefits from.”
The service experience and all of its idiosyncrasies are what James continually studies and teaches. James founded The Hospitality Training Company in 2005, so he can share his knowledge and insights. “As part of a fast paced, worldwide industry, any customer service experience draws on constant evolution.” James offers training in classic customer service, what is happening in the industry now and, more importantly, the evolution of customer service needs, what is going to happen tomorrow!
