Analysis Is the Key to Making Good Decisions
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I recently read a book about General George Custer, famous for being annihilated in Custer's Last Stand at the Battle of Little Bighorn before the turn of the 19th century. Custer was a somewhat impetuous, but brilliant, officer. At the age of 23, he was made a Brigadier General in the United States Army and was an important contributor to the Union victory at the Battle of Gettysburg.
He was always anxious to charge forward and get the job done. Many thought he was impetuous. When he and his group of soldiers were all killed at the Battle of the Little Bighorn, there was much speculation about this tragedy. Since there were no army survivors, we will never know what really happened. Custer needed to stop and assess the situation and wait for the rest of his army to catch up. Instead, he rushed into battle and he and his troops were massacred.
It's so very important to get things done but it's also important to understand the field of play. In business, information is extremely important, and so is analysis. I don't believe in analysis by paralysis, but the older I get, the more important I believe analysis is the key to making good decisions. It's important to make decisions, but it's also important not to be too impetuous. This was certainly reaffirmed to me by the Battle of Little Bighorn and the demise of General Custer and his troops.
I'm Bill Marriott and thanks for helping me keep Marriott on the move.
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Posted By: Hazel from Milan Hotels (11/13/2009)
Comment: I think that you are right on several points. First, having information before making a decision allows you to make a better decision. Second, "analysis paralysis" is nearly as bad.
Posted By: virginia bed and breakfast (11/13/2009)
Comment: Analysis is a real key to success.Your analysis should be so strong in order to be successful and get famous.Analysis is a key to make good decisions.A person can make good decisions only when his thinking power and analysis is strong.
Posted By: Alma (11/12/2009)
Comment: Dear Bill,
My husband reads many books about the Civil war and other wars our country has been in. On a trip out west a few years ago we were able to visit the Little Bighorn National Park. I hope you have seen this site!!! Looking out over the terrain in that area, one gets a completely different aspect of the battle.
It has to be seen to appreciate how that battle took place. I hope everyone reading this makes an effort to see our National Parks, Monuments and Historic Sites. No other place in the world more natural beauty than the USA!
Posted By: Sylvia (11/12/2009)
Comment: I think analysis is crucial to the decision making process in businss. As they say "fools rush in". The most successful are those that can analyse quickly and make a decision.
Posted By: Mariela NP (11/12/2009)
Comment: Hi Mr. Marriott I love your blog, it ´s wonderful.
Greetings from México!
Posted By: Jeffrey Reiss- (11/9/2009)
Comment: And the vision and planning to make good decisions might also include alignment with other global energies on the move...like Sister Cities International with 2400 cities...with 500 Marriott Properties in these cities...or the $1.1 Billion dollars spent annually by Rotarians for lunch meetings in those cities and Properties.
Bill, "What do you think" ??
Posted By: Dawn (11/9/2009)
Comment: Mr Marriott this blog on the key to making good decisions is so timely. Thank you for reminding us about important business decisions. With the ever chaning economy it is very important to study anaylsis and history before making tough decisions. Also thanks for reminding us about being impetuous.
Posted By: Juliette Adams (11/8/2009)
Comment: Mr. Marriott just today I bragged about you and your inbred philosophy: You take care of your workers and they take care of your customers. Allow me to say that seems to be the echo of the Philadelphia Transit Strike. Maybe they need you at the table. I once shared with you that you must also transfer your experience to individuals like me in the writing of a book. I am even more passionate. Imagine 5,000 workers holding up the book: "I Take Care of My Workers and They Take Care of the Customer" by Bill Marriott. I think "In a Flash" that would instantly make the # 1 New York Times Bestseller list. I also love your expression of "field play." It is clearly expressed that in this Informational Age "the key" is Analysis. So you are way ahead of the game. Hence I find my most recent reading: "The New Boardroom Leaders: How today's Corporate Boards Are Taking Charge." by Ralph D. Ward even more interesting. Once again thanks for the opportunity you present in sharing you, as you keep Marriott on The Move.
Posted By: yod (11/8/2009)
Comment: think that you are right on several points. First, having information before making a decision allows you to make a better decision. Second, "analysis paralysis" is nearly as bad.
Posted By: Ardella C. Fuiell-Salimia (11/7/2009)
Comment: This was a good blog because the point could be understood. Understanding the field of play was a good opening for a thought process. Analysis is another word for "understanding", therefore if you get a good understanding of what you are doing or faced with, you will make a reasonable analysis of the situation. Thanks Mr. Marriott!
Posted By: Len - Tucson (11/7/2009)
Comment: One decision that I would like you to make for Marriott Rewards members is to permit the transfer of points upon the death of the member to the next generation, rather than solely to the surviving spouse. I think that this is very relevant to all of your longtime members.
Posted By: Hank Mancini (11/6/2009)
Comment: I think that you are right on several points. First, having information before making a decision allows you to make a better decision. Second, "analysis paralysis" is nearly as bad. One of my favorite sayings is "indecision becomes decision with the passing of time." So, taking a reasonable amount of time to gather information and analyze generally leads to better decisions. The Marriott organization seems to have made some very good decisions: getting into the hotel business in the first place, the Courtyard Brand and Marriott Rewards to name just a few. Keep up the good work!
