There's an awful lot of conversation today about the difficulties we're all having to understand what's going on with our economy. None of us really know how long this downturn is going to take or how severe it's going to be. The only thing we're certain of is that we need to all learn to think outside the box. We need to be creative, we need to be innovative, we need to find ways to tackle our problems and really think about what we can do to do better.
I was impressed with a story I heard a little while ago about an old man who lived alone in the country. He was worried about digging his tomato garden because it was such hard work and the ground was hard. His only son Vincent, who used to help him, was in prison. The old man wrote a letter to his son and described his predicament:
Dear Vincent,
I'm really feeling bad because it looks like I won't be able to plant my tomato garden this year. I'm just getting too old to be digging up a garden plot. I know if you were here my troubles would be over. I know you would be happy to dig the plot for me.
Love,
Dad
A few days later, he received a letter from his son:
Dear Dad,
Don't dig up that garden, that's where I buried the bodies.
Love,
Vinny
At 4:00 a.m. the next morning, FBI agents and local police arrived and dug up the entire area without finding any bodies. They apologized to the old man and left. That same day the old man received another letter from his son:
Dear Dad,
Go ahead and plant the tomatoes now. That's the best I could do under the circumstances.
Let's all work hard at thinking outside the box, being creative and solving problems.
This is Bill Marriott and thanks for helping me keep Marriott on the move.
Mr. Marriott:
Hilarious! “Thinking Outside The Box.” I love it. That is why I made the decision that of writing about you in my own creative “Thinking outside the Box.” What a better source than your blog! Excited to see who are the intermediaries in the 5 Percent.
Thanks for your humor as you keep Marriott on the Move.
Posted by: Juliette Adams | 09/01/2010 at 08:15 AM
Bill this week my three children Angel 10,Jake 9 and Johnny 5 are getting out of school for a week for spring break.My wife Elizabeth and myself will be going with our children to Jacksonville Florida on the Beach for some fun in the sun.Thinking outside the box,we will be using are rewards points we have earned to have this family vacation.The children will love to be on the beach and Mom and Dad will have some well earned vacation time off.We love the Marriott Family and know we will have a great time Thank you Marriott Family.How's that for Thinking outside the box !Grateful in Florida..
Posted by: James Ascher | 03/26/2008 at 07:30 AM
Great story for outside the box....or in this case inside the box looking out! It's our perspectives that set us apart and make us unique. I did notice in some of the other comments the need to stay ahead of competitors. I have a thought on the topic and would go hand in hand with Marriott Premier Properties. Have a look at the body tub, it is a custom bath tub designed to create a spa like experience and would be a compliment to such fine properties.
Posted by: Scott Greeno | 03/19/2008 at 03:21 AM
It's first time to write in public. Mr. Marriott makes me chance to write comment. after thinking outside the box, i'm thinking about my situation. I'm thinking more negative first than postive. This is great storty. I'll always remember and i'm trying to think about antother positive situation. Thanks, Mr. Marriott~^^
Posted by: jin mi kim | 03/16/2008 at 07:05 AM
Mr. Marriott,
Excellent story. I never cease to be amazed by your employees' ability to 'think outside the box'.
Recently, I went searching for a vending machine for water in the middle of the night at one of your Resorts. After giving up on the search, I went down to the front desk to ask if they had any available for purchase anywhere in the resort. Alas, all the shops were closed; but the front desk employee had a great idea and got me and by thirsty girlfriend a couple of bottle's of Evian from the back room. I offered to pay, but he refused. I continue to be delighted by the hospitality of all your staff.
Sincerely,
Matthew Gulino
Posted by: Matthew Gulino | 03/14/2008 at 02:41 PM
Bill,
Thanks for the post.
Marriott doesn't need much out of the box thinking it has some great folks running operations globally and exciting future plans with Ian Schrager under development.
What it needs is an update to its greatest asset of all times Marriott Rewards..
As a former Marriott Rewards Platinum member and now a Hyatt /Hilton Diamond & SPG Platinum member amongst others I find greater recognition and more exciting opportunities elsewhere.
Certainly there is much good that still exists in Marriott Rewards without question.
Almost 500,000 guests from around the world voted favorably in select categories in last years "Freddie Awards".
This year will probably go on record to break that past voting record.
Many of us admire your fine hotels however at the end of the day seasoned road warriors know our programs and want a value proposition and iron clad brand assurance that hotels will meet our needs fairly.
A more compelling array of competitive recognition benefits will always place those extra feet in hotel door ways even during a downturn. By all means get and stay more competitive then your nearest competitor. I know what I see missing
I am sure many of your long term customers can share much with you too.
You have the talent on board without question however at end of the day it's all about fully knowing your customer. That is always a work in progress an a daily learning experience
Appreciate your time
Best Regards
Don Horn
Posted by: don horn | 03/13/2008 at 02:21 PM
Great story... lateral thinking indeed!
Posted by: phil kerswell | 03/12/2008 at 05:26 AM
That's a great story, Mr. Marriott. What a lesson in creativity! Thanks for sharing it with us.
Posted by: Kevin Schultz | 03/11/2008 at 04:35 PM
Marketing 101: If your are not First you have to be Different. Marriott continues to actually do BOTH! Being the most successful, but also adapting and reinventing itself. As I look back on my 2 1/2 decades of Marriott stays - from the DC Packed House, the Castle Harbor Burmuda for my Rewards Point paid honeymoon in 1990 and on Eastern Airlines..... I am YTD at 38 nights and sitting Platinum from last year. We all must continue to adapt in the new post 9/11 economy - up or down. It's Business Darwinism. In covering my 14 States and 7 provinces in 2 countries for a very large corporation I have choices with who I stay with.....this is when the best and the strong really gain market share. Game on Bill Marriott et. al. See you all out there!
Posted by: Thomas J. Lynch | 03/11/2008 at 03:03 PM
Thinking out of the box for some individuals is a bold and risky endeavor, born of conditioning, complacency and a personal lack of confidence. Staying in the box in most cases is a self imposed barrier for some that is both comfortable and safe resulting in common achievements, rather then extraordinary ones.
In addition, a set of Standards by which to operate with favorable and consistent results is obviously a necessary guide, but should not to be considered a barrier to innovation. However, a set of Standards developed though years of trial, error and great successes can be a formidable barrier and quite an intimidating factor for some to over come when attempting to be innovative. Standards do not inhibit good operational ideas, but tend to dull the more creative thinking possesses by unintentionally sending a message that standards are sacred and any thought of even the slightest modification to them be deemed a sacrilege. An environment of change and innovation must be encouraged.
Posted by: Bill Lake | 03/11/2008 at 10:24 AM
Now that's being resourceful! With the economy the way it is now we all need to be more resouceful than ever. Simple modifications can make a world of difference - like Vinny thought of. Something Marriott can do, if you're not already, would be to limit use of electricity in unused rooms (ie. by using a powerstrip for electic items (clocks, TV, etc) and turning them off when not in use). It's time to change our mindset and conserve where possible. Great story! Thank you. Bob H.
Posted by: Bob Hoffsis | 03/11/2008 at 06:05 AM
Mr. Marriott, a great story on how to improvise, adapt and overcome! I shared it with my team. Be well.
Posted by: George Prioleau | 03/11/2008 at 12:45 AM
That's a good story. Thanks for sharing
Posted by: BM | 03/10/2008 at 10:48 AM
Ha-ha! What a great story!! Now that's what I call thinking outside the box.
Posted by: Amber Bristow | 03/07/2008 at 12:30 PM
I spent some time with Ron & Debbie Harrison over in Europe and Ron was pushing the missionaries to think out the box. At times when he knew the answer and the easy thing would have been just to give it to us, instead he would push us to think.
I'm forever greatful for my time with them.
Posted by: Jason Gatherum | 03/07/2008 at 04:17 AM
Thanks Mr. M. Will use the story in my work. Be well. d
Posted by: Donald Hallberg | 03/07/2008 at 04:10 AM
That's awesome, Bill!
As a college student, I always try to solve my problems in different ways. Instead of relying on common ways to solve my problems, I look at the problem and reframe it.
In this way, I can come up with unique solutions to my problem.
Best,
Jake Gallardo
Posted by: Jake Gallardo | 03/05/2008 at 08:46 AM