Rick Collins is one of the reasons I love this business. He’s a Guest Service Associate at the Courtyard Nashville Downtown and according to his GM, “Rick’s heart says, ‘do the right thing all of the time.’”
Rick’s on the front line, handing out room keys, checking reservations and training the staff. It can be challenging, especially when a long line forms. A guest’s initial experience is at the front desk. So, it takes a special person, a people person, to make that all-important first impression. Rick’s been known to give out some fist pumps to his colleagues as he trains them. He sets the mood of the hotel and believe me, a guest can see through a grumpy front desk clerk.
For 14 years, Rick’s “easy” way has masked serious health issues. But that hasn’t stopped him from looking for ways to serve others. He coaches two “Able Bodies” softball teams for kids with disabilities. To boost one boy’s self-esteem, Rick bought him a cape and made him the team’s superhero. It worked according to the boy’s mother who told Rick that for the first time her son made a friend at school.
In this day and age of celluloid superheroes, we forget that there are a few real-life super heroes. Rick Collins is one. He epitomizes our core values by putting people first. Only, he expresses it better. Rick says, “The best gift you can give somebody is yourself.”
I recently met Rick at Marriott’s Award of Excellence ceremony where he was honored for his service. His health was better after being in the hospital last Christmas and he credits his “Marriott” family for getting him through it.
We often forget why we are on this planet. Rick never forgets.
I blog a lot about Marriott’s core values. They sustain us in tough times and keep us together in good times as we grow globally. In talking to Rick, I realized that he embraces two of them, big time. He “Puts People First” and he “Serves Our World.” Rick Collins -- and many other associates like him -- are the reason Marriott is on the move.
I’m Bill Marriott and thanks for helping me keep Marriott on the move.
Wow!Rick is a very speacial person I wish him all the BEST! I will pray for him as well. May the lord be with him and keep him working and doing the things he loves.
Posted by: Bill Barringer | 09/01/2012 at 05:17 AM
Rick Collins is truly an example for all people of this area. I really love hotels. Several years ago I had a dream to build a hotel and devote myself to that. In this dream I sold all my belongings, home, auto and invested a lot of money. Actually I was not any good, I sold the hotel shortly be built and with many debts.
That's why I admire these stories, I think it's a business you need to know a lot, you have to know what you are doing.
Regards.
Posted by: Joe - Recetas Faciles | 08/27/2012 at 12:13 PM
I would like to share my expeirence with pune marriott at shakahari restaurent.it is the best restaurent ,we hv got in the city like pune, where we hv only 23 persent of vegeterian people live.I m crezy about that restaurent because of the people in the hotel,that restaurent has got the best hospitality stuff in the city and around the hospitality industry, they take care of us like everytime we r new custommer for them.and what a fantastic manager and supervisor that restaurent has got,who knows my like dislike and they take care of it when i get in the restaurent specically partha ,ritesh ,and harkaran singh thanks and salute u all and best of luck to all for making us crazy for that u do in marriott only.
Posted by: adish despande | 08/25/2012 at 08:12 AM
Thank You Mr. Marriott for the very kind words you said about Me. Im just a common man who loves his family, from those i grew up around to My Marriott family. I coached my special needs children The Able Bodies as they are great inspiration. They told me once they leave this planet Earth they will walk among the clouds in a normal life. So im bless with the what has been presented to me in life even my illness. For my other 2012 honorees miss you and love you. And to the other Marriott families around the world you are all in my thoughts and prayers. Some in only in my dreams love to meet you all Rick c
Posted by: rick collins | 08/23/2012 at 08:09 AM
Congratulations Rick!
Wish we had a million more like you!
Posted by: Jack Smith | 08/22/2012 at 06:21 PM
Most of us have heard that the “first impression is the last impression”. Checking into any hotel is the opportunity to make a good first impression. A cordial greeting and a simple how are you is a good start. The smoothest check I have experienced has been at the JW Marriott Cancun, Mexico. I was escorted to my favorite ocean front suite and the staff completed the formalities while I was in the couch enjoying the ocean view while taking sips of Fiji Water. More recently earlier this month at a typical full service Marriott I had a warm greeting at the front desk, given the keys to my suite with a smile and I was on my way in less than a minute at Woodland Hills Marriott, Woodland Hills, California, managed by Clay. My check in record at another Marriott is two hours. If I check in for the first time and my preferred accommodations are not available, simply the appearance of making an effort is sufficient to make a good impression. Syed T. A. Naqvi, Platinum Emeritus
Posted by: Syed T. A. Naqvi | 08/21/2012 at 08:54 AM
Wow - what a great story and what a nice way to start the day reading your blog about Rick Collins and watching the video. Thanks! It is inspiring.
Posted by: Hank Mancini | 08/21/2012 at 06:25 AM
Rick is a wonderful inspiration. What a person!
Posted by: John | 08/20/2012 at 05:15 PM