One of my core business beliefs is that great companies exist for more fundamental purposes than just to make money.
At Marriott, we “open doors to a world of opportunity.” That phrase connotes how much we want our associates to grow during their careers.
But “opening doors to a world of opportunity” also applies to the non-profit Bridges from School to Work program.
My brother Richard runs this program and he’s developed a model that other companies should emulate. Simply put, it takes kids with disabilities and helps them find a job.
It’s not so simple to execute. Bridges employer representatives pull a small village together for every student -- teachers, guidance counselors, parents and employers. Over the course of two decades, Bridges has placed about 12,500 young people with disabilities in jobs with more than 3,500 employers -- companies like Ben & Jerry’s, UPS, National Constitution Center, and Marriott Hotels.
This year’s annual dinner featured Lee Woodruff, wife of ABC News journalist Bob Woodruff. In 2006, Bob was injured by an improvised explosive device while on assignment in Iraq.
Lee eloquently described what their family went through after he awoke from a five-week long coma. Hers was a story of stops and starts … of persevering and overcoming.
That’s our Bridges story, too. Our Bridges students struggle to fit in. They persevere, prepare resumes, interview for jobs and –- hopefully -- they get hired.
Lots of moving pieces have to come together before a Bridges student hears the words “you’re hired.” Stereotypes have to be erased; self-confidence raised. Nowhere is ability an issue.
As one employer said, “There should be no reason why a business should look at a Bridges student any differently than any other applicant. The Bridges program means opportunity and not just opportunity for the students, but opportunity for the employer.”
Bridges redesigned its website and produced a series of video profiles. (www.BridgesToWork.org) The stories show the remarkable transformation in the lives of our Bridges students as they cross the bridge from school to work.
I think you’ll enjoy meeting our Bridges students --Giana, Alex, Levi, Dana -- and see how they “fit in.” Leave a comment on which story you enjoyed the most.
I’m Bill Marriott and thanks for helping me keep Marriott on the move.
I'm truly impressed with the Bridges from School to Work program. It's amazing and refreshing to know that such a large company, continually takes the time, effort, and passion to not only build their name and status in this world, but to uplift the people in those communities which they are impacting as well!
Watching these videos, reading these stories, and feeling the positive impact translate from those who this program's life has changed for the better, truly fills me with great inner pride to be working for Marriott.
This company is directly and indirectly improving people's lives for the better each day, and it's truly a beautiful thing to witness and be apart of ii in this day and age! The people who are benefited from Marriott's programs such as this one, turn around and positively impact the lives of others; beginning this wonderful chain reaction of goodness and community and happiness! Keep up the great work!
Posted by: Sabrina Mentor | 03/23/2012 at 06:12 AM
I heard you speak on HBR Ideacast, Loved my Marriott experiences after hearing that talk more than the ones before. Now I think there is enough reason to believe the bonding has a purpose and that is beyond money making.
Good Luck to Marriot, to you.
p.s I remember you mentioning about your "Secret" Visits to all of your Marriott Hotels once a year. Hope it falls when I am there :)
Posted by: Vasundhar | 03/16/2012 at 12:22 PM
I heard you are retiring!! say it aint so! Hope you will continue the blog BTW I just stayed at the Carlton in NYC One of your new Autograph Hotels. I love these properties. I have now stayed at three of them and think its a great that you have maintained these unigue and special properties and moved them into Marriott. I love My consistient Marriott's but these hotels really make a nice change especially in a city environement. I used to stay at a small boutique hotel in NYC now its the Carlton or the Algonquin I was at the Cosmo last month and heading to Asheville next week,..expect to get to all of them eventually. I think you guys should really make sure your members know these properties..i think most Platinum Travellers would really like them. :-) So Happy Birthday and thank you for always thinking about your customers and your staff for the past 60 years!
Posted by: Jim Donohue | 03/16/2012 at 07:28 AM