Two Intensive Residential Study Modules
The study modules are held in Amsterdam and Kyoto, cities selected for the depth and distinctiveness of their innovative strategies and hospitality traditions. Participants work alongside industry experts and leading academics in a fully immersive environment. Personal coaching is embedded at every stage of the journey, and structured peer co-development ensures that learning is both individual and collective.
Study Module One
in Amsterdam
BUILDING THE HOSPITALITY MODELS OF TOMORROW
Your philosophy of hospitality today – what will it need to work in tomorrow’s world? Set your personal development goals and formulate your workplace assignment.
Discontinuities in society, hospitality and other service industries that challenge business-as-usual paradigms for forward-thinking leaders.
Visits and speaker themes: premium travellers’ evolving needs, how to integrate impact into hospitality value chains, breakthrough service innovation cases, business model design.
Commit to pursuing self-mastery practice throughout the three months of the programme and set your development goals.
WHY AMSTERDAM?
In recent years, Amsterdam has been at the forefront of tourism innovation. It is the first major city to have developed a multi-stakeholder tourism strategy, “Tourism that works for everyone”. With its young and vibrant cohort of hospitality entrepreneurs, a number of concepts based on innovative business models have emerged in the city.
A hub of impact business, the headquarters of B Lab Europe and home of SDG House (UN Sustainability Development Goals). Amsterdam was the first to use the sustainability framework ‘Doughnut Economics’ as a platform for its development strategy.
During the first module participants will be inspired by the energy of the city and its ability to innovate. We’ll also study the Dutch business culture as a platform for our intercultural management sessions.
THEORY
Global sector context, trends, innovations, strategies. Hospitality models, guest needs, intercultural luxury, deep service, leadership gaps. Impact integration in luxury value creation and business models.
A SAMPLE OF WHAT WILL BE COVERED DURING THE FIRST STUDY MODULE
Exploring today’s changing context: macro and sector trends, sustainable business trends and ESG.
Envisioning the future of the hospitality sector by understanding its past, using scenario techniques.
The senior manager’s strategic toolbox for impact-based hospitality innovation and change management.
Enabling the conditions for business model innovation through stakeholder engagement.
Hospitality as an art and a craft: principles, philosophy and practice.
SOFT SKILLS DEVELOPMENT
Observation and intent: in the city where great artists such as Rembrandt and Van Gogh are omnipresent we’ll shape our observation and creative skills. Encounters with Dutch egalitarianism and cooperation models will prompt our shared reflection on leadership and culture.
PROJECTS
A group study on business model innovation related to our industry context, trends and shifting hospitality needs.
COACHING THEMES
Individual coaching: personal learning and development objectives, purpose and road map.
Facilitated group co-development: your leadership style.
COMPANY VISITS (EXAMPLES)
City of Amsterdam strategy department, innovative hospitality start-ups, B Corp.
Study Module Two
in Kyoto
DISCOVER THE KEYS TO DELIVERING DEEP SERVICE
Challenge your service paradigms through carefully selected visits and direct experiences in Kyoto, the historical capital of Japanese hospitality and tourism.
Visits and speaker themes: discovering the essence of hospitality through Japanese cultural practices, selfless service as a product of discipline and self-mastery, how effective leaders step aside to achieve extraordinary results.
Successful service models start from impacts and relationships with guests and employees, rather than real estate development.
With peer support rethink the business model you are currently serving.
WHY KYOTO?
Close to Imamiya Shrine in Kyoto, Ishiwa-san serves grilled mochis, as his family has for over 1000 years. Home to centuries-old family businesses known as ‘shinise’, Kyoto has gifted us the world’s oldest, most complete tradition of hospitality, known as ‘omotenashi’ (deep service).
At the same time, Kyoto is way ahead of the curve on major societal issues such as shrinking and ageing population, over-tourism and difficulty in maintaining age-old traditions. Which makes it the perfect place to discuss business model renewal.
THEORY
Omotenashi culture, operations, business models and value chains. Change leadership, communication, employment, HR management and motivation. Self-mastery at the heart of leadership.
A SAMPLE OF WHAT WILL BE COVERED DURING THE SECOND STUDY MODULE
Japanese principles of deep service.
Adaptive leadership and links between leadership and hospitality.
Integrating deep service in the value proposition and business model.
Developing a relevant HR offer in line with deep service principles.
Learning and career development in today’s professional context.
Concept of learning organisation in hospitality sector.
How to achieve consistency in operations.
Understanding the role of personality and emotions.
Leading change in different environments and contexts.
Cognitive neuroscience and its implications for leadership.
Changing gear on your personal learning journey.
SOFT SKILLS DEVELOPMENT
Deep service mindset and leadership for positive impact.
Ikebana (flowers), Chanoyu (tea ceremony), Togei (ceramics), Shodo (calligraphy), Shiatsu (healing massage), Kodo (incense), Zen Buddhist philosophy.
We will observe, learn and practise at least one of these disciplines.
PROJECTS
Together we explore how self-mastery and omotenashi can be integrated into luxury hospitality models. Plus how to implement learnings related to business models alignment and leadership of change back in the workplace.
COACHING THEMES
Individual coaching theme - personal discipline and impact.
Facilitated co-development - working with convictions and beliefs as a leader.
COMPANY VISITS (EXAMPLES)
Leading Kyoto hotel, restaurants and shop concepts representing the full spectrum of hospitality strategies.
Ceramics workshop hosted by sixteenth-generation potter.
Private visit to Todaiji temple, Nara, one of Japan’s oldest shrines.
Kyoto’s oldest incense shop, Shoyeido.
Leadership Assignment in the Workplace
During the in-person study modules, you will be working closely with your mentor, your coach and your peer group, you will scope and work on your personal Change Assignment, set yourself clear leadership goals and developed a road map to transform your management practice.
And it is likely you will feel highly motivated to start driving radical change in earnest and at speed. However a roadmap alone will not be enough for you to fully succeed. We are well versed in the challenges that can arise when leading change, especially when you need to perform at the very highest levels in your current role at the same time. So we have structured the programme to offer every participant the support necessary to turn theory into daily practise.
The Programme includes active workshops, company visits, lectures, individual coaching sessions and facilitated co-development sessions with your peers. During the final weeks of the Programme, you will present your work to the group and KIHA Community of Practice and make time for reflection, celebration and looking ahead.
We continue to offer support after you leave us. Every graduate of the KIHA Senior Executive Programme will be invited to join the Kepler Community of Practice, which gives access to a global network of executives and leaders who are also committed to the self-mastery, impact and transformational leadership required to reimagine luxury hospitality and conscious tourism everywhere.