Have you ever been talked into something? Well, I certainly was talked into writing my second book: Without Reservations: How a Family Root Beer Stand Grew into a Global Hotel Company. It was 16 years ago when I published Spirit to Serve. A lot has happened since then, and that’s why I took on this assignment.
I say in the book’s introduction that “for 60 years, I have loved my job, WITHOUT RESERVATIONS.” I write candidly about what it took to reach the top – the crises, the opportunities, the make-or-break moments that tested all of us. Our company has been challenged in so many ways. There was the tragic loss of a hotel and some staff at the World Trade Center on 9/11; we’re still coming out of the Great Recession; and at times, we were outflanked by our competitors and had to play catch-up.
Many lessons have been learned along the way, but what has kept Marriott on the move is its five simple rules. I named a section of the book for each one of those core values.
I like to read a book if it has a good story. In writing Without Reservations, I want to take the reader behind-the-scenes into key meetings as major events were unfolding. There’s a very tense story about our Cairo Marriott associates defending the hotel during the Arab Spring and some funny anecdotes on competing for customer business.
Whether you work for a global company like Marriott or you’re in a small business, I hope you will come away with a new ingredient or two that can help you add to your recipe for success. As I recently told my daughter, Debbie, when we drove by the Key Bridge Marriott in Arlington, VA, our second hotel, “I am blown away” by our humble beginnings and where we are today.
Marriott is a great American story, and I hope you enjoy reading Without Reservations: How a Family Root Beer Stand Grew Into A Global Hotel Company. I’ve dedicated the book to my wife and family, and every Marriott associate, past, present and around the world. They have all played a part in building the company into what it is today.
The profits earned from this book will benefit two organizations that are very close to my heart: Bridges…from school to work® and Youth Career Initiative. Both are providing opportunities for disadvantaged young people to build employment skills and then help them find a job.
I’m Bill Marriott and thanks for helping me keep Marriott on the Move.
To purchase your personal copy of Without Reservations, How a Family Root Beer Stand Grew Into A Global Hotel Company, visit www.marriott.com/withoutreservations to download an eBook. Hard backs will be out in a few months.
Dear Mr. Marriott,
I heard your BBC World News interview today where you mentioned the hotel in Poland. Any chance that there is another opportunity for untrained U.S. workers to be shaped into employees that make a(nother) European location great?
Hoping So (and if so, please contact me),
Stacey
Posted by: Stacey | 02/11/2013 at 04:00 PM
Hello I have been working for the company 16 years. I start as a waitress in Detroit Airport Courtyard. I love this company and would like to ask. Is there program that we as associates can take or pay for to show us step be step how to become a owner of a marriott hotel. Thank You for all the great years!
Javannah Davis
Warren Courtyard
Posted by: Javannah Davis | 02/10/2013 at 02:58 PM
Mr. Marriott,
Congratulations on publishing your second book, "Without Reservations". Since you are going on a book tour, it would be an honor to have you stop in Omaha, Nebraska. I would love to meet you!
Posted by: Nilda Hill | 02/08/2013 at 10:58 AM
Sir Bill
i have recently read a week before 'your spirit to serve'. it was gr8 to read and i enjoyed every page.
take care of your health
bhavin
India
Posted by: bhavin kapadia | 02/06/2013 at 04:32 AM
Mt. Marriott are you doing a book tour?
Posted by: Bill Underdown | 02/01/2013 at 06:49 PM
I, for one, am very happy that you were talked into writing your second book. If anyone reading this has not read the book, I strongly suggest that you do. "Without Reservations" is a great read for anyone that has the dream!
Posted by: Andrew Maxwell | 01/30/2013 at 03:02 PM
Dear Mr Marriott,
I was delighted to be sent one of the e-books yesterday and within hours I had read half of the book. I love it. You are such an inspirational leader and I am so very proud to be part of the Marriott extended family of associates around the world.
As a DHR it is my job to promote what a fantastic company we have to new talent joining the company. I can hand on heart say it is my absolute pleasure.
Kindest regards and many thanks
Fiona Lowe
Hanbury Manor, A Marriott Hotel and Country Club.
Posted by: Fiona Lowe | 01/18/2013 at 03:18 PM
Dear Mr Marriott,
I was delighted to be sent one of the e-books yesterday and within hours I had read half of the book. I love it. You are such an inspirational leader and I am so very proud to be part of the Marriott extended family of associates around the world.
As a DHR it is my job to promote what a fantastic company we have to new talent joining the company. I can hand on heart say it is my absolute pleasure.
Kindest regards and many thanks
Fiona Lowe
Hanbury Manor, A Marriott Hotel and Country Club.
Posted by: Fiona Lowe | 01/18/2013 at 03:18 PM
it`s very inspiring especially the ``heart attack and what your wife and familly said about your workholic......part``
Posted by: sugianto | 01/17/2013 at 05:46 PM
I received my copy yesterday. I really appreciate it. Thanks Mr. Marriott
Posted by: Jim Zupan | 01/17/2013 at 07:02 AM
I asked to speak to the Entrepreneur Classes at Central Michigan University yesterday and I discussed my 27 years with Marriott and Bill Marriott as a positive role model. As the students introduced themselves, one young man stated he was working at the Fairfield Inn as a night auditor. "What skills are you adding to your resume?" I asked. He responded, "being a team player, exceeding customer expectations, and continuous improvement".
Posted by: Bill Underdown | 01/17/2013 at 05:51 AM
ready to read
Posted by: thomas jackson | 01/15/2013 at 06:00 AM