An idiot with a plan can defeat a genius without one

Warren Buffett, the American billionaire, investor, businessman, and philanthropist—also known as the “Oracle of Omaha”—needs no introduction. I’ve borrowed one of his quotes, which contains more “universal” truth than we might think. It may surprise you—or it may not—but over 70% of operators of lodging and other HoReCa services in the Czech Republic don’t have written plans! Seriously! While these are mostly smaller operators, in this case, size really doesn’t matter.

Our brains work in a peculiar way, and it’s been proven time and time again that those who have any kind of written plan are, on average, nearly twice as likely to achieve their goals (though this also depends on the industry in which we’re planning). Did you know that less than 5% of the population consistently plans in writing?

Simply having your plans and goals in writing isn’t enough on its own. There are other conditions that need to be met. But it’s the first and most crucial step that helps us organize our thoughts. And once we have it in writing, we can share it with those around us, adjust it, discuss it, plan action steps, measure progress, evaluate results, make adjustments, and so on.

By this, I don’t just mean planning, for example, an annual budget or a five-year investment plan, but anything we consider important in life or in our professional development.

Our field is what’s known as a “people business.” People are our most valuable resource and, at the same time, our most amazing “tool,” helping us achieve both short-term steps and long-term goals and plans. That’s why we call it human resources :-). In reality, these are our colleagues—people with specific names—who have chosen to make others happy—our guests—as the essence of their work, even on days when everyone else has the day off. Yes, this is exactly what working in the service industry is all about. To serve, not to be a servant!

A large number of new colleagues from other fields have joined our ranks, and it would be great to make their start a little easier. Today, I’d like to challenge you to take action: start planning your own development and that of your team. The energy of the coming spring is perfect for this. It doesn’t matter at all whether you run a mountain lodge, a family-run guesthouse in the countryside, or a mid-range hotel in the city—as professionals, we can all conduct ourselves with professionalism, regardless of the number of stars. We don’t just have to admire the approach of Alpine or seaside resorts; we can also work on improving ourselves.

And why? Because it will give us all a much higher level of self-confidence when communicating with guests, companies, travel agencies, and suppliers. And self-confidence combined with a human touch comes across as professional in and of itself.

In closing, I’d like to remind you that planning isn’t a bureaucratic burden or a boring task to file away. It’s a tool that gives you certainty, clarity, and direction—while also providing room for creativity, innovation, and growth. Each of us can start right now—just grab a piece of paper or open the notes app on your phone and write down the first step.

Try asking yourself a simple question: Where do I want my business, my team, or myself to be in a year? And then plan that direction. Keep it small, specific, and clear. Because even the biggest dream will only come true if it has a plan.

And as the old saying goes, both in gastronomy and in life: “What isn’t measured can’t be managed. And what isn’t planned won’t happen.” If you want to make that first step easier, in the “Development” section of our website, you’ll find a selection of courses and educational materials that can help you with planning and professional growth—whether you’re an owner, a manager, or a team member.

So let’s work together to transform our industry step by step—from plans to action, from ideas to results.

With love for hospitality and for all hospitality professionals who love their work and our industry, and who are constantly enhancing their professionalism and the image of our industry with a smile,
Jiřina Jenčková & the PHC team