In 50 Business Classics, Tom Butler-Bowdon includes a discussion of Conrad Hilton’s Be My Guest (1957).

These are among the dozens of insights that caught my eye:

* * *

o In Cisco, Texas, “The Mobley was the first of several ‘old dowagers’ that Hilton would buy [beginning in 1920] — decrepit properties, yet whose books were good and had room for potential…Be My Guest reveals a surprising fact: despite later becoming known as the founder of an international hotel chain, Hilton was almost 50 before he bought a hotel in a state outside of Texas.” (Pages 108-109)

o When expanding overseas, Hilton saw his chain of hotels as a way of expanding the American ideals of freedom and democracy. Providing people with a place to meet for business, he reasoned, was a good wayof achieving ‘World peace through international trade and travel.’ During the Cold War, he writes, his intention was that his hotels show off ‘the fruits of the free world,’ and  his properties became the hub for business and investment in developing countries.” (109)

o “Hilton’s life bears out the greast observation made by David Schwartz in The Magic of Thinking Big: “Most people fail in life not because they aim too high and miss — but because they aim too low and hit.” (110)

o “Hilton recalled sitting in the ballroom of New York’s legendary Waldorf Astoria — which he now owned — and wondering whether there was in fact anything to be added to to his parents’ wisdom [i.e. his mother said “Pray” and his father said “Work”]. It was only then that it came to him: ‘You had to dream!’ He is quick to note that “nobody ever called me a dreamer,’ yet this was where, he believed, great things had to start.” (Page 110)

o “The story of Hilton, who died age 91 in 1979, provides inspiration for anyone who does not yet know what they want to do, but who is hungry for a big opportunity. It suggests keeping our eyes and ears open, as the next chance meeting, purchase, or trip may be the turning point in your life, just as Hilton’s discovery of the Mobley Hotel was for him.” (111)

* * *

Here’s a direct link to learn more about Tom Butler-Bowdon and his work.

Here is a direct link to learn more about Conrad Hilton and his work.

50 Business Classics: Your shortcut to the most important ideas on innovation, management and strategy was published by Nicholas Brealey (2018).  

Be My Guest was published by Prentice-Hall (Third Edition, 1962).