Kia ora, hospitality whānau!
I hope this message finds you well! 
Let’s be honest—running a hospitality business is tough. The pace, the pressure, the people… it’s a constant balancing act. And while systems, service, and strategy matter, more and more I’ve come to realise: the real game-changer is leadership.
Not just managing the roster or putting out fires (although we do plenty of that too), but the kind of leadership that creates calm in the chaos. That builds trust. That lifts the whole team.
That’s why I’m excited to introduce something close to my heart: AURA Coaching, a new arm of our consultancy, focused on helping hospitality leaders grow from the inside out. Because when you lead with clarity, presence and purpose, everything changes. The team lifts. The culture shifts. And the business runs better.
In this edition, we’re sharing tools to help you:
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Stop the drama and build high-performing teams through conscious leadership -
Understand how tools like ChatGPT are changing the way people find restaurants and how to make sure they find you -
Try a few 1-minute marketing wins that boost visibility instantly -
Reflect on one small leadership shift that can make a big impact -
And yes, we’ve even got a fun fishy fact to keep things light
This newsletter is all about giving you real tools, real perspective, and a bit of inspiration to lead boldly in a tough but rewarding industry.
Let’s dig in.
With warmest regards,
Mark Collins Team
FEATURE ARTICLE
Stop the Drama in the Kitchen!
Conscious Leadership: How Self-Aware Hospitality Leaders Build High-Performing Teams
In the world of hospitality, the kitchen can be a pressure cooker—not just for food, but for emotions, personalities, and communication challenges. Staff shortages, burnout, and high turnover rates continue to plague hospitality businesses across New Zealand. As a leading hospitality consultancy, we’ve seen it time and time again: the root cause isn’t just staffing or systems. It’s leadership.
More specifically, it’s a lack of conscious leadership, the kind of leadership that builds trust, manages conflict, and creates sustainable team cultures that thrive even under pressure.
At Mark Collins Consultancy, in partnership with AURA Coaching, we help cafés, restaurants, and hospitality businesses across New Zealand develop strong, self-aware leadership teams. Why? Because better leadership equals better business…Read more
LEADERSHIP TIPS
Start your next team meeting by asking one open-ended question, and just listen. No fixing, no defending. Creating space for honest dialogue builds trust, and trust is the foundation of high-performing teams.
Want to develop your leadership style and boost team performance? AURA Coaching offers 1:1 and group programs tailored for hospitality leaders.
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
Does ChatGPT Replace Google Search? And How Can Restaurants Rank in ChatGPT?
Artificial Intelligence is changing the way people find and interact with information online. With tools like ChatGPT becoming part of everyday life, many hospitality business owners in New Zealand are asking a new question:
Is Google still relevant, or will ChatGPT replace it? And more importantly: Can my restaurant actually rank in ChatGPT responses the way it can on Google?
The short answer? It’s not about replacement. It’s about evolution. Let’s take a look at how you can stay ahead.
Want to show up in AI recommendations?
✅ Keep your website and hours up to date
✅ Get more Google & TripAdvisor reviews
✅ Use keywords like “best brunch in Wellington”
✅ Post regularly on social media with local tags
✅ Add structured data to your site
📍 The takeaway?
Clear, helpful, and consistent online content helps you win on Google and ChatGPT.
Need help? We support hospitality businesses across New Zealand with SEO, content, and digital strategy.
FUN FACT
Gordon Ramsay holds the world record for the fastest time to fillet a 10 lb fish, just 1 minute and 5 seconds!
That’s some knife skills! Speed matters in the kitchen, but so do precision, communication, and self-awareness. That’s where strong leadership, and the right coaching, makes all the difference.
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