Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Concierge Confidential by Michael Fazio and Michael Malice


   Concierge Confidential is comprised of little vignettes about Michael Fazio's experiences as a concierge.  From a personal assistant to a hotel concierge to an entrepreneur, this guy has seen it all when it comes to service.  If you need reservations at exclusive restaurants, tickets to sold-out Broadway shows, or just dry cleaning services, Michael Fazio is your man.  Oh and if you need a bathtub filled with chocolate, a private helicopter to take you to Atlantic City, or VD medication, he can do that as well.

   But this book isn't just about crazy requests from the rich and famous - it's also about the philosophy behind impeccable service and why the standards of excellence are the way they are.  He also shares a few tips with readers about the secrets of the service industry, which might be really helpful if you live in Manhattan and happen to be a zillionaire.

   Michael Fazio might not be a professional writer (the sentences are often clunky and unpolished), but I have a great deal of respect for him.  As someone who has worked in service for nearly 10 years, I know how stressful it can be, but Michael Fazio might be the most patient, hardworking person in the world, which is exactly why he and his business partner, Abbie, have been so successful.  I'll never look at a hotel concierge the same way again!

   I've always had respect for people who work in the service industry, but not all service is good service.  With Concierge Confidential, Michael Fazio has set the service bar pretty high, and like I said in my previous post for Rosina Harrison's book, service is all about the details, and there's no better person to manage the details of your desire than Michael Fazio, Concierge Extraordinaire!

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