The hospitality industry has never been static, and the pandemic only accelerated its transformation. For David Kaplan and Alex Day, the visionaries behind Death & Co cocktail bars, adapting to these changes was key to their survival and success.
In this episode, David and Alex share how implementing EOS® helped them reshape their roles, streamline operations, and face the unique hurdles of the hospitality industry head-on. From embracing their individual strengths to fostering open communication, they reveal the practical strategies that kept their partnership strong through challenging times.
Key Takeaways:
- How having shared language helps communication.
- What it’s like to implement EOS® in a non-traditional business setting.
- Why emotional intelligence is so important for Visionary/Integrator™ relationships.
Some Questions Asked:
- How has EOS® changed the way you communicate with each other?
- What lessons did you take from navigating difficult times?
- What’s the biggest lesson you learned from implementing EOS®?
Reshaping Roles and Strengthening Partnerships with EOS®
The hospitality industry has never been static, and the pandemic only accelerated its transformation. For David Kaplan and Alex Day, the visionaries behind Death & Co cocktail bars, adapting to these changes was key to their survival and success.
In this episode, David and Alex share how implementing EOS® helped them reshape their roles, streamline operations, and face the unique hurdles of the hospitality industry head-on. From embracing their individual strengths to fostering open communication, they reveal the practical strategies that kept their partnership strong through challenging times.
[13:36] “I don’t think we would have been able to do almost anything that we’ve done to date without empowering of ourselves and each other.”
Initially, introducing a structured system like EOS® in such a creative, non-corporate environment met with some resistance. Yet, David believed it would be instrumental in their growth. Over time, they found that the system brought clarity to their roles as Visionary and Integrator™, strengthening their partnership and laying a solid foundation for the future.
[17:22] “It’s essentially a buddy system where I’m going to look out for you. You look out for me. We’re going to communicate, and we allow ourselves both healthy tension and healthy conflict.”
Throughout the conversation, they reflect on how EOS® gave them a new language to communicate more effectively, especially during times of intense change. They also discuss the creative tensions that arise from integrating structure in a business built on innovation, and how they’ve safeguarded the creative space that fuels their success.
[30:31] “The moral of the story there is we have become a very nimble company and one that looks at data in a way that is just far more profound than we ever have before.”
This episode offers valuable insights into balancing structure with creativity, leveraging individual strengths, and fostering strong communication and emotional intelligence in a business partnership. It’s a must-listen for anyone seeking to navigate change while staying true to their vision.
Learn More:
- David Kaplan | LinkedIn
- Alex Day | LinkedIn
- Death & Co
- Gin & Luck
- Rocket Fuel by Gino Wickman and Mark C. Winters
- Traction by Gino Wickman
- Rocket Fuel University™
