I don’t have an opportunity to hand out many business cards, but my new card says “Executive Chairman.” You don't see that job title popping up on careerbuilder.com.
You might be wondering what my new job is all about. I guess you need 40 years of experience as CEO. It doesn’t hurt to have your name above the door.
In applying for the job, I told our board of directors I’m ideally suited for the position. They never asked for my resume'. But if they had, here it is:
I worked in the accounting office when I was 14 sorting invoices and doing filing. My first real job was as a soda jerk in one of the Hot Shoppes. Of course, I was an Eagle Scout. I graduated from the University of Utah. I was a supply officer in the United States Navy on an aircraft carrier in the Mediterranean.
I finally joined Marriott in 1956. I was Executive Vice President in January 1964 and President in November 1964. I became CEO in 1972, Chairman of the Board in 1985 and Executive Chairman in 2012.
Every job prepared me for the next and I had a wonderful mentor and a tough boss for most of my career. He was also my dad. My responsibility has always been pretty clear: “To become the number one hospitality company in the world.“
So how will my new job fit into our Marriott Business Objectives or "MBO’s," as we call them. Here are my objectives as Executive Chairman:
- Advise our new CEO Arne Sorenson and his first-rate, global executive team.
- Visit our hotels and check in with our General Managers and shake hands with the people who are on the frontlines.
- Be an ambassador for global travel. I love this one because the more people travel, the more they learn about other cultures, and the more money comes back into the global economy creating jobs.
- And finally, through all my travels, to spread and preserve our Marriott culture and values of "Putting People First" and "Serving Our World."
If you have some other suggestions on what an Executive Chairman should do, comment below. It’s a new job for me and I plan on growing into it for years to come.
I'm Bill Marriott and thanks for helping me keep Marriott on the move.
Dear Bill,
Enjoyed reading about your job related history which is very encouraging.
I have been with your company now close to four months.
I am devoted to service thus am anticipating all the needs of our residents and co-workers.
Have your A-Team Recognise, Invest In, Reward and Promote hard working employees.
I've read many Dale Carnegie books.
Warmly yours,
John Galluzzi
Resident Concierge
Tower II Residences
The Ritz-Carlton Westchester
5 Renaissance Square
White Plains, New York 10601
John.galluzzi@ritzcarlton.com
914-467-5776
Posted by: Mr. John M. Galluzzi Jr. | 05/02/2012 at 01:39 AM
Mr. Marriott, I feel that it is an urgency for all Marriott hoteliers to expedite the progress to make more hotels go green. Like Al Gore, when you travel around the world you may utilize your impact to promote the Spirit to Preserve.
Posted by: Robinson | 05/01/2012 at 09:08 PM
Mr Marriott
As EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN, you can take some time visit hospitality scholls to give some speeches so that the future young hoteliers can learn from a industry legend like you and this is the opportunity to spread the marriott culture and the spirit to serve. As a PR thing also, this can help hotel gratuates develop their interests in marriott and it's good for marriott talent pool.
Best wishes
Edwin jin
A Hotel student
Posted by: Xin Jin | 05/01/2012 at 04:58 PM
Thanks for all that you do!!! You Got it & so do all Top Marriott Executives! Can you share with other Executive Chairman, that when the "Top Player-Chairman" come into a city & they are going to an meeting or speaking at an event(say not at their Hotel or Business) they need to stop by their property/ business & say hi. As a convention event manager- I see so many Keynote speakers! We pick them up at the airport, they speak for 1 to 2 hours, then back to the airport, on the next plane out of town. The associates all know,the word spreads that the boss was in town & they didn't stop by to say hello? They need to say hello to their hard working associates.
Just know this is not about any Marriott "Top Player".
Posted by: Tim Cloonan | 05/01/2012 at 09:57 AM
Mr. Marriott. Congratulations on your well deserved promotion. Thank you for the twenty-six years of career opportunity you have provided to me. In your blog you mentioned that you were a supply officer on an aircraft carrier in the Mediterranean. My father-in-law served on the USS Roosevelt and did several tours in the Med. I was wondering which ship you served on?
Best Regards,
Ed Rocco
Posted by: Ed Rocco | 05/01/2012 at 05:02 AM
Good luck in your new position and I truly hope that Marriott will keep its spirit forever - in my opinion, Marriott is the best hotel chain in the world!
Posted by: International Gourmet and Hospitality Censor | 05/01/2012 at 02:46 AM
Dear Mr. Marriott,
Congratulations on your new role.
I have been associated with your company in India during the Pre-opening of JW Marriott Hotel Mumbai and till date am very proud of being part of this wonderful company. Ever since I have had opportunity to work with 4 other comanypanies but did not find any one any close to Marriott's culture and way of life.
In your new role along with all the good things that you would continue to do for the guests and the hotel staff, would recommend you to look at your ex- team members and be in touch and who would like to join back as they like me still continue to be brand ambassadors.
Posted by: PVK Rao | 05/01/2012 at 02:06 AM
Mr. Marriott - I am glad that in your blog you say "...and I plan on growing into it for years to come." I am glad that you plan on staying involved with Marriott. After all, your name is on the front door. And...when I see that name, I know that I will be welcomed and well taken care of. Thank you and all the Marriott associates! (from my room in a Courtyard!)
Posted by: Hank Mancini | 04/30/2012 at 09:40 PM
I agree with Fred's ideas. Guests themselves would always be a good group to ask for ideas and suggestions from, since, well, unsurprisingly, they're the ones in need of your service.
You've definitely had a long and enriched life. It's very interesting.
Best of luck in your new position! It should be an interesting experience, and i'm sure you'll continue to lead the company well. :>
I've always loved Marriott hotels, myself. Have attended the one at the GM Building in Detroit every year since 2010 for Youmacon, and I shall do so yet again this year and every other foreseeable year in the future. :3
Posted by: Jackson Marriott | 04/30/2012 at 07:30 PM
Mr. Marriott or should I say Mr. Executive Chairman I believe you have said it well and covered all of the bases!!! You have to be so proud each time you visit one of your properties..... your brand has been time tested and what a compliment when other companies model their brands after Marriott.
If you ever need someone to help do quality control I would love to have a role like that.
I am not Bill Marriott but I love Marriott and will continue to be a positive voice for your company.
I owe you that much for providing a safe, clean, stylish place to stay with caring staff..... my home away from home!
make a good day peace be with you Debbie Ahrns
Posted by: Deborah J. Ahrns | 04/30/2012 at 05:55 PM
Dear Bill...You've done an amazing job down through the years! I've always been grateful to have been a part of the early hotel years! We had a great business card then where we listed all 4 of our hotels! And I well remember you, as VP, would come by Key Bridge to be sure we had turned our sign on at night! And then later with Consumer Affairs! There are so many memories...all of them good!! Please give Donna my best regards.
Posted by: Ray Stone | 04/30/2012 at 04:10 PM
Bill, while you are checking in with General Managers and staff members on the front lines of your hotels, it would probably be worth you time to simply turn around and shake hands with the as many guests as possible.
Ask them, face to face, if they have any suggestions or ideas.
You might be rewarded by the information and ideas you gather.
Good luck in your new position.
I have been a fan of your successes for many, many years and continue to be a regular guest whenever possible.
Posted by: Fred | 04/30/2012 at 09:39 AM