A Bridge Not Too Far: Where Creativity Meets Innovation

by Deepak Ohri

Overview

“Ohri is a visionary in every sense of the word” —Forbes

A Bridge Not Too Far: Where Creativity Meets Innovation by Deepak Ohri is a must-read and inspirational book for anyone seeking to harness the power of innovation and creativity to succeed in the business world. Ohri, founder and CEO of lebua Hotels and Resorts, shares his inspiring journey from humble beginnings to becoming a renowned award-winning entrepreneur in the luxury hospitality industry with a focus on management and leadership.

Ohri provides a deeply human-centered approach to managing business and life, sharing his insights and expertise on how to succeed in the competitive world of entrepreneurship and the hospitality industry. Ohri's innovative entrepreneurial spirit and unique perspective on experiential luxury have transformed the hospitality landscape. In this motivational book and remarkable guide, Ohri provides invaluable lessons and practical tips for anyone seeking to achieve similar success.

With a focus on the importance of creativity and innovation, A Bridge Not Too Far is a powerful tool for entrepreneurs, offering actionable strategies for achieving goals, overcoming obstacles, and climbing to the top. Whether you are just starting or looking to take your business to the next level, this book is an essential read for anyone looking to succeed in the competitive world of entrepreneurship.

Named one of the Global Top Most Inspirational Executives in Travel and Hospitality by the International Hospitality Institute, Ohri is a visionary leader who has earned a reputation as one of the most innovative and successful entrepreneurs in the industry that values customers satisfaction and ethical leadership. A Bridge Not Too Far is a testament to his remarkable accomplishment and his dedication to helping others in their goal achievement for their success.

So, if you are ready to grow your business or career to the next level, this self help book is the perfect guide to get you there.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781957807836
Publisher:	Waterside Productions
Publication date:	01/10/2023
Pages:	192
Product dimensions:	8.50(w) x 5.50(h) x (d)

About the Author

Deepak Ohri, founder and CEO of lebua Hotels & Resorts is well-known worldwide as an award-winning entrepreneur who has transformed the luxury hospitality landscape in Asia. He has been recognized globally as an award-winning entrepreneur and celebrated speaker, being featured speaker at the Forbes Global CEO conference and Financial Times Business of Luxury Summit, amongst many others.

Table of Contents

Preface xv

The Luxury Phenomenon xvii

Final Thoughts xviii

Introduction xxi

My Roots xxii

Disruptor xxiv

Final Thoughts xxvi

Chapter 1 Seizing New Opportunities 1

Finding Luxury 3

The Next Chapter 5

Final Thoughts 6

Chapter 2 Learning Curves 9

The Next Opportunity 11

Final Thoughts 13

Chapter 3 Creativity and Innovation 15

New Ideas in Service 16

Success 18

Final Thoughts 19

Chapter 4 The Shine of a Mentor 21

Hands-On Training 23

Philosophical Training 26

A New Education 29

Working in the U.S. 30

Final Thoughts 32

Chapter 5 Bold Is Gold 35

The Full Story 38

Returning Home 40

My Father's Story 42

Moving on from Failure 43

Final Thoughts 45

Chapter 6 Rebuilding One Step at a Time 47

"Culture" versus "culture" 50

Fear of People's Opinions 52

Final Thoughts 53

Chapter 7 A Lateral Step Can Lead to the Next Step 57

The Lateral Leads to the Next 59

Getting the Job Done 66

Stiff Competition 70

The Final Result 72

Innovatively Resilient 73

Translate Culture into Service 74

Hiring the Right People 77

Building an Emotional Experience 80

Correlations Create Impact 82

"Even After Dark the Sky Changes Color" 83

Final Thoughts 85

Chapter 8 The Million Baht Dinner 87

The Menu 92

The Successful Failure that Followed 95

Final Thoughts 97

Chapter 9 When Good Ideas Go Wrong 99

Accountability 103

Final Thoughts 106

Chapter 10 Transcending Trends 109

Equality … Again. 112

Setting Michelin Standards 113

From Food and Beverage to Hotel Hospitality 116

When Things Seem Bleak 119

Expanding into New Markets 123

The Power of Service 126

The Hangover 130

Handling Success 132

Emotional Connection 133

Final Thoughts 134

Epilogue Life is an Experience 137

Bird's Eye View 140

Luxury Incubator Project 143

What's Next for Me 147

Appendix Reframing Success 151

About the Author 155

Editorial Reviews

01/02/2023

“What's important is that you keep going,” writes Ohri, the CEO of luxury lebua Hotels and Resorts of Thailand, India, and New Zealand. The self-proclaimed unique product of his roots and his childhood, Ohri tells the story of his own bridge-crossings in this inspirational memoir and compendium of insights and advice. He shares his impassioned thoughts about trends, accountability, mentorship, how to build success from failure, and the power of great service, not just towards customers but to staff, too. But the book’s heart is in persevering through hardship, as he writes lovingly of his modest beginnings in a lower middle class area of New Delhi, a childhood filled with love and life lessons, and his bumptious early career. Those experiences stirred his passion for luxury and hospitality. A Bridge Not Too Far showcases how Ohri’s humble start has shaped his innovative business sense and human-centered business approach.

Ohri makes the case that people learn in predominantly two different ways: education and experience. Ohri learned mostly through the latter, through his international travels, working in far-flung restaurants and hotels. He argues that "failure is our greatest teacher,” that sometimes a move that seems lateral is the next step forward. He recounts interviewing for jobs that thought him better suited for a different position, the challenges of working in new places with limited knowledge of their practices, and even being ousted from a thriving partnership. Ohri found not just motivation but also an education in what not to do, while still climbing to the top of the hospitality industry.

Readers of upbeat CEO memoirs will welcome Ohri's candidness and clear-eyed advice (“If they are treated with respect,” he writes of his employees, “they will behave the same with our clients”). Ohri's story shows that nothing worth having is easy to obtain—instead, it takes consistency and hard work, and trials and errors to create a successful outcome in life and in business.

Takeaway: This motivational CEO memoir urges readers to learn from failure and treat employees well.

Great for fans of: Farnoosh Torabi’s You’re So Money, Conrad Hilton’s Be My Guest.

Production grades Cover: A- Design and typography: A Illustrations: N/A Editing: A- Marketing copy: A

BookLife Reviews

"...offers fresh and interesting insights into the restaurant and luxury experience industry."

Independent Book Review

"A joyous and uplifting book which follows Deepak's continent-hopping, a multi-decade career in hospitality but even more so speaks of the tender love between a father and son."

CEO and Founder, Aptamind Partners - Aradhana Khowala

"Deepak Ohri provides an inspirational story and a clear framework for achieving success through creativity, hard work, and self-belief."

MD and CEO, Oberoi Group of Hotels - Vikram Oberoi

"Deepak is an inspirational leader. A Bridge Not Too Far will inspire many around the world to challenge the boundaries of success in business and life."

President and Founder, World Travel Awards - Graham Cooke

"Reading A Bridge Not Too Far is pure joy. It is a must-read for those who appreciate what it takes to work your way up to the top."

Founder and Chairman, Internova Travel Group - Michael Batt

"No one becomes successful on their own. Deepak Ohri's narrative highlights how influential his parents were in providing him guidance, mentorship, support, and values. In A Bridge Not Too Far, Deepak shows us that we must be willing to seek out challenges and recognize opportunities."

Dean, Florida International UniversityCollege of Business - William G. Hardin III

"Deepak's story puts it all in perspective. His drive to succeed is unstoppable, and his affection for life is contagious. He finds the best in people and converts each challenge into an incredible opportunity. His love for education is exceptional. A Bridge Not Too Far is a perfect guide for anyone who wants to do something extraordinary in life. It shows that with the right mindset, everything is possible."

Faculty Florida International UniversityCollege of Business - Anna Pietraszek

"Nothing is too far or too high for Deepak Ohri. Where many others would relax or slow down, he shifts into a higher gear and takes off to new heights. A Bridge Not Too Far will inspire others to follow in his footsteps and make the world a better place."

Deputy Executive Vice President, Genting Bhd - Peter Foster

"In A Bridge Not Too Far, Ohri writes honestly about the experiences that shaped him, both positively and negatively. This book is a must-read for those who aspire to be innovative thinkers."

CEO, The Travel Corporation - Brett Tollman

"Great hotels and restaurants often anchor the evolution of the world's greatest cities. Deepak's story tells of the journey behind iconic venues."

Chairman and CEO, Founder, Agoda Company Limited - Robert Rosenstein

"Deepak's story puts it all in perspective. His drive to succeed is unstoppable, and his affection for life is contagious. He finds the best in people and converts each challenge into an incredible opportunity. His love for education is exceptional. A Bridge Not Too Far is a perfect guide for anyone who wants to do something extraordinary in life. It shows that with the right mindset, everything is possible."

Faculty Florida International University College of Business - Dr. Anna Pietraszek

2022-09-19
A prosperous hotelier offers a debut memoir and motivational manual.

“All my successes are built on a foundation of failures,” writes Ohri in his book. He then proceeds in these pages to detail both the setbacks and the successes that brought him from a poor but loving childhood in an impoverished district of New Delhi to the head of a chain of luxury hotels and resorts. “Luxury is an experience that creates memories for a lifetime,” he reflects about this particular aspect of his success story. The author goes on to assure his readers that “every simple joy can be a luxury.” The relative nature of the luxury experiences that he provides for his customers prompts him to observe that entrepreneurship is an intensely personal thing—the fuel for it varies and is tailored to the individual. He writes about his growth as an entrepreneur, delivering an affectionate tribute to his mentor, Joe Santiani, who taught him what he refers to as the biggest lesson of his life: that self-respect derives from others—it’s a two-way street. “My mentor’s behavior showed me that no one is inferior,” he asserts, “respect is given to those who deserve it, and to those who have talent and skills.” In the course of his apprenticeship (including visiting the United States), Ohri learned from this mentor many of the lessons that would stick with him for the rest of his own triumphant career. “He taught me that our efforts are never in vain; even the smallest efforts are important in the journey to becoming perfect,” he writes. “There are no short-cuts to success.”Readers familiar with business memoirs may groan a bit when encountering a shopworn line like “There are no short-cuts to success.” Those readers may be further discouraged by the appearance of other sentiments and platitudes that are a bit too simple or pat (“It’s not easy recognizing failures in yourself”). Fortunately, Ohri has enough awareness of his gifts as a writer to know where to put his stresses. He’s an instinctively strong storyteller. In this well-crafted account, he presents a series of episodes that are genuinely gripping. He carries readers along expertly, writing his various adventures in very involving ways. Readers will get caught up in the story of how he was betrayed by his partner in an early venture, for instance; he lost everything and had to face the humiliation of returning home to India and facing his father as a penniless failure. This disaster and other hurdles are skillfully related. When the author describes his initial success as the owner of a chain of restaurants, for example, he will keep readers on the edges of their seats: “We had created a buzz in the city. I gained confidence in exploring the levels of hospitality service and everything was going great. Until it wasn’t.” This interweaving of self-effacing humility and the kind of make-or-break business world stories that will be familiar to many of the financial hustlers in his target audience saves Ohri’s book from being just a protracted exercise in self-congratulation.

An engrossing, energetically told story of one entrepreneur’s rise to personal and professional success.

Kirkus Reviews

A Bridge Not Too Far…is creative, entertaining, enlightened, and honest.”

Javed Malik

Ohri is a visionary in every sense of the word.”

Forbes

No one becomes successful on their own. Deepak Ohri’s narrative highlights how influential his parents were in providing him guidance, mentorship, support, and values.”

Dr. William G. Hardin III