Working for a hotel, specifically Marriott which is recognized to be the world's best hotel employer, is definitely a privilege. I can attest to that recognition because Marriott stands true to its core values which is pro-people. You will always hear Bill Marriott's famous quote, "take care of your associate and they will take of the customers."
In a year, I learned and discovered SO MUCH about hotel operations, travelers, marketing industry, public relations, writing, sales, social media, digital world, kinds of people, and also myself. Sharing here some work insights I am relating to the five core values of Marriott. It will be far from how the hotel defines it, just my version of it (hihi)
1. WE PUT PEOPLE FIRST
We are only four in the Marketing Communications team which is a sub-group of the Sales and Marketing department of 30 associates, which is a small percentage of the 500+ employees (unsure of the total count), but then only a minuscule of the global brand. Not to forget the hundreds, sometimes to thousands, of guests coming and out of the hotel, it is definitely a huge community I am in. Being in the marketing communications I also have to deal with the media, online community (billions in population) and any potential readers of the content we create. So yeah, it's a work that involves A LOT of people. In this realization, I always remind myself that everything I do will affect others so I have to be careful at all times. I learned very well how to place myself on other people's shoes. I gain a habit of being warm, cheerful and accommodating to whoever. No one becomes a stranger in the hospitality industry.
2. WE PURSUE EXCELLENCE
When you are surrounded with seasoned people it's either you get intimidated or you strive to be one of them. It is not a competition, I consider it a motivation. The keyword there is "pursue", meaning you keep going until you tick off all the deliverables on your daily action items. Our balance scorecard, other companies call it key performance indicator, sets our annual performance goals which is a great practice to shape someone's growth. From there I learned to keep little, non-quantifiable personal goals (like reach one year in your workplace, get a press release published in a major newspaper, etc) and regularly celebrate your successes. Excellence for me subjective defined by how you set it - all for His glory.
3. WE EMBRACE CHANGE
I see change here as mistakes or failures. You have no idea how much I struggled to get along the "waves", and until now I still stumble here and there. I deal with a difficult boss (and I love her for that) and so many bizarre personalities everyday, and I had to manage things that are mostly new to me, so imagine how frustrated I became. As they say, learn from your mistakes. Absolutely, I hugged all of it! It takes a lot of humility to admit you are wrong and to embrace improvement.
4. WE ACT WITH INTEGRITY
I believe that the workplace is a battleground of integrity because it involves quintessential worldly things - money and career success. So, people will either get the best or worst out of you. I remain HOPEFUL on the goodness in every person but it is a regret to know that some really don't share the same principles and faith as mine. You are not required to be like them nor fake your way through to survive - a big NO! Others may hate that I am too-good-to-be-true or I refuse to speak ill about others. Yes, there times I can't stand some people but I just don't see any valid reason to hate someone. Integrity requires so much professionalism and maturity. That is why someone has to stand firm in their beliefs, but before that, a person should have established what matters to them most.
5. WE SERVE GOD
When you consider your work as a calling than a career, then you will feel more grateful to be seeing tons of emails, squeezing creative juices and beating last-minute deadlines. Keeping in mind Colossians 3:23, "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ." It may sound vague but consider God as your boss. Trust me, He kept me fearless from the most draining tasks or difficult people around. Because after all, that job is a blessing from Him who promised to be a boss/mentor/provider and will reward for the faithful ones. God has been my source of calmness and peace of mind in my struggles, and He worked mysteriously as to how He recognized my efforts. After all, it is never our personal abilities that get us far. Where does success bring us? Not too far if not for Him who assures eternity. It is all Him and for Him.
Ending this post with another popular quote of JW Marriott, "success is never final." It is unending, it is unlimited, it goes one and it is everywhere/anywhere. I am very happy to know I am working tomorrow at Marriott
2. WE PURSUE EXCELLENCE
When you are surrounded with seasoned people it's either you get intimidated or you strive to be one of them. It is not a competition, I consider it a motivation. The keyword there is "pursue", meaning you keep going until you tick off all the deliverables on your daily action items. Our balance scorecard, other companies call it key performance indicator, sets our annual performance goals which is a great practice to shape someone's growth. From there I learned to keep little, non-quantifiable personal goals (like reach one year in your workplace, get a press release published in a major newspaper, etc) and regularly celebrate your successes. Excellence for me subjective defined by how you set it - all for His glory.
3. WE EMBRACE CHANGE
I see change here as mistakes or failures. You have no idea how much I struggled to get along the "waves", and until now I still stumble here and there. I deal with a difficult boss (and I love her for that) and so many bizarre personalities everyday, and I had to manage things that are mostly new to me, so imagine how frustrated I became. As they say, learn from your mistakes. Absolutely, I hugged all of it! It takes a lot of humility to admit you are wrong and to embrace improvement.
4. WE ACT WITH INTEGRITY
I believe that the workplace is a battleground of integrity because it involves quintessential worldly things - money and career success. So, people will either get the best or worst out of you. I remain HOPEFUL on the goodness in every person but it is a regret to know that some really don't share the same principles and faith as mine. You are not required to be like them nor fake your way through to survive - a big NO! Others may hate that I am too-good-to-be-true or I refuse to speak ill about others. Yes, there times I can't stand some people but I just don't see any valid reason to hate someone. Integrity requires so much professionalism and maturity. That is why someone has to stand firm in their beliefs, but before that, a person should have established what matters to them most.
5. WE SERVE GOD
When you consider your work as a calling than a career, then you will feel more grateful to be seeing tons of emails, squeezing creative juices and beating last-minute deadlines. Keeping in mind Colossians 3:23, "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ." It may sound vague but consider God as your boss. Trust me, He kept me fearless from the most draining tasks or difficult people around. Because after all, that job is a blessing from Him who promised to be a boss/mentor/provider and will reward for the faithful ones. God has been my source of calmness and peace of mind in my struggles, and He worked mysteriously as to how He recognized my efforts. After all, it is never our personal abilities that get us far. Where does success bring us? Not too far if not for Him who assures eternity. It is all Him and for Him.
Ending this post with another popular quote of JW Marriott, "success is never final." It is unending, it is unlimited, it goes one and it is everywhere/anywhere. I am very happy to know I am working tomorrow at Marriott
