Since joining the Canadian luxury brand Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts in 1989, Katie Taylor has worked her way up to the top, taking over last year as CEO from founder Isadore Sharp. No wonder Forbes named her one of the top 25 most influential women in travel.
1 In business, now’s a good time to get closer to your customers.
2 What I had to learn on the fly Managing people. I’m responsible for more than 33,000 employees worldwide.
3 My business mantra The golden rule in business and in life: Treat others as you wish to be treated.
4 My eureka moment When I started at Four Seasons, I realized that the company’s values matched perfectly with mine. I’ve felt like part of an extended family ever since.
5 My go-to gadget A Dell Latitude, my new BlackBerry Torch and my husband’s iPad – we share.
6 Best place to power lunch The Four Seasons employee cafeteria in Toronto – they have great smoothies and a fabulous salad bar. For guests, I recommend Culina, Modern Italian at the Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills.
7 In my carry-on you’ll find whatever I need on the road. I try not to check my luggage, and I always wear a track suit on the airplane.
8 The biggest risk I ever took was embarking on an international career while raising a family. Luckily, both have turned out very well.
9 Always listen to your mother’s wisdom.
10 Window or aisle? Either is fine. I’m flexible.
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