Answer the phone!
One of my pet peeves is to be in a hotel lobby and to hear a phone ringing numerous times. When I was the Resident Manager of the Sheraton Four Ambassadors Hotel in Miami, I used to remind our desk staff that the guest who was standing in front of them could tell if they were busy but the person on the phone couldn’t. After several rings the guest on the phone is left to assume that we are either too busy, poorly trained or just not interested in their business.
As you will recall, Richard Nixon won the Presidential election in 1972. While he was in office, his “Summer White House” was located on Key Biscayne just over the Biscayne Causeway Bridge east of the Sheraton Four Ambassadors Hotel and the city of Miami. Whenever President Nixon visited Key Biscayne, members of the Secret Service, FBI, White House Press Corps and other dignitaries would stay at our hotel. The typical room block request was between 125 and 150 rooms. As you can imagine, it took no small effort to coordinate the arrangement of accommodations for everyone involved. A tremendous behind the scenes coordination effort was put forth by the advance team of the White House as well as the hotel staff. This included the selection of specific highly trained staff members who underwent frequent background checks and screening prior to each official visit.
The coordination of arrangements, some of which included the blocking of parking, meeting and banquet space, special food selection and preparation, pre-blocking of room accommodations and numerous security related issues were time consuming and required intense diligence. In order to help facilitate the process, a specially designated phone was installed in the hotel with a direct line to the White House. The phone sat atop my desk and was the topic of many interesting conversations amongst my staff. Some of them would stand at my door and stare at the phone as if it was an antique Cuckoo Clock about to engage in its mid-day chime. I have to admit that things got pretty exciting around the hotel when that phone rang.
A specially trained and pre-screened staff was designated to service the needs and requests of the foreign Heads of State and other dignitaries. During my four year stint as Resident Manager of the Sheraton Four Ambassadors hotel, we hosted Presidents, Governors, Senators, Congressmen, Kings, Queens, Princes, Foreign Ambassadors, Movie Stars, Rock Stars, Sports Stars, famous singers, entertainers, bands, the Secret Service, the FBI, military officials and other dignitaries from all around the world. It was an “all hands on deck” occurrence whenever “the phone” rang. I’ll never forget those words, “Mr. Cerrone, it’s the White House calling”.
For those of you who are reading this and are in the hotel business, think about this. What other business could you be in that would offer a similar mix of famous and interesting people that we get to host on a daily basis. Wow, just answer the phone!
[The Miami Chapter….to be continued]
Monday, February 28, 2011
Friday, February 18, 2011
THE MIAMI CHAPTER - BEST ROOM IN THE HOUSE
Have you heard the one about the guy who went into a hotel in New York City knowing that it was completely sold-out due to a major city-wide convention? He walked up to the desk clerk and asked if there were any rooms available, to which the clerk said, “Sorry sir, but we are completely sold-out”. The man asked the clerk, “Do you by chance have a Presidential Suite”? The clerk responded by saying, “Why of course sir, every fine hotel in this city has a Presidential Suite”. To which the man responded, “Well young man, I just spoke to the President and he told me he wouldn’t be using his suite tonight and so I’ll take his room’’.
My career in the hotel business has now spanned 40 plus years, seven moves and five states [Boston, Miami, Orlando, New York, Orlando, Shreveport, Atlanta]. It seems like just yesterday that I was driving my 1962 red Volkswagen “beetle” through the snow covered streets of Boston on my way to my first job in the hotel business at the Sheraton Boston Hotel. I started as a mail and information clerk of this 1012 room hotel, about as low as you can get on the totem pole. In hindsight I’m glad I had an opportunity to start at the bottom and “learn my way up the ladder” so to speak.
After completing the Sheraton Management Training Program which was a two year, three property tour of duty, I was promoted to the position of Resident Manager of the Sheraton Four Ambassadors Hotel in Miami, FL. The Four Ambassadors was the flagship Sheraton property at the time. A 744 all-suite hotel with 2 ballrooms, 5 restaurants, 3 bars, two swimming pools, a spa, health club, men’s and woman’s salons, shops, 4 towers of 22 stories each and the longest lobby [522 feet] of any hotel in the world. As Resident Manager, my wife Christine, our two daughters and I lived at the hotel in a suite on the 21st floor overlooking Biscayne Bay. As an aside, there is good and bad about living in a hotel. The good is the commute. The bad is your 24 hour availability to your workplace.
My family and I lived in Miami from 1970 to 1974. Two historic events happened in Miami in 1972. The first was the Miami Dolphins became the first ever [and still only] NFL Football team to go undefeated and then go on to win the Super Bowl. Also in 1972, Miami was the host city for both the Republican and Democratic National Conventions. Because of the size and stature of our hotel, we were the host property for all of the leading Republican and Democratic candidates for President.
Of course, each candidate wanted to stay in the one and only Presidential Suite. Atop each of the four towers were the Presidential, Governor’s, Senatorial and Congressional Suites, in towers one through four respectively. They were each well appointed and of similar size [2 bedrooms]but each had a separate and distinct outstanding view of either the Biscayne Bay or the city skyline of Miami.
I have a public confession to make.
Knowing each of the major candidates’ desire to stay in the Presidential Suite and not wanting to play favorites, I asked my Chief Engineer to have 3 additional Presidential Suite signs made up. For a “hold my breath and cross my fingers” 4 week period of time, we became the only hotel in the world with four Presidential Suites. It certainly was a gamble that could have turned out to be a public relations disaster, but fortunately it paid off and all the candidates left satisfied with their special accommodations, the “best room in the house”.
{The Miami Chapter….to be continued]
My career in the hotel business has now spanned 40 plus years, seven moves and five states [Boston, Miami, Orlando, New York, Orlando, Shreveport, Atlanta]. It seems like just yesterday that I was driving my 1962 red Volkswagen “beetle” through the snow covered streets of Boston on my way to my first job in the hotel business at the Sheraton Boston Hotel. I started as a mail and information clerk of this 1012 room hotel, about as low as you can get on the totem pole. In hindsight I’m glad I had an opportunity to start at the bottom and “learn my way up the ladder” so to speak.
After completing the Sheraton Management Training Program which was a two year, three property tour of duty, I was promoted to the position of Resident Manager of the Sheraton Four Ambassadors Hotel in Miami, FL. The Four Ambassadors was the flagship Sheraton property at the time. A 744 all-suite hotel with 2 ballrooms, 5 restaurants, 3 bars, two swimming pools, a spa, health club, men’s and woman’s salons, shops, 4 towers of 22 stories each and the longest lobby [522 feet] of any hotel in the world. As Resident Manager, my wife Christine, our two daughters and I lived at the hotel in a suite on the 21st floor overlooking Biscayne Bay. As an aside, there is good and bad about living in a hotel. The good is the commute. The bad is your 24 hour availability to your workplace.
My family and I lived in Miami from 1970 to 1974. Two historic events happened in Miami in 1972. The first was the Miami Dolphins became the first ever [and still only] NFL Football team to go undefeated and then go on to win the Super Bowl. Also in 1972, Miami was the host city for both the Republican and Democratic National Conventions. Because of the size and stature of our hotel, we were the host property for all of the leading Republican and Democratic candidates for President.
Of course, each candidate wanted to stay in the one and only Presidential Suite. Atop each of the four towers were the Presidential, Governor’s, Senatorial and Congressional Suites, in towers one through four respectively. They were each well appointed and of similar size [2 bedrooms]but each had a separate and distinct outstanding view of either the Biscayne Bay or the city skyline of Miami.
I have a public confession to make.
Knowing each of the major candidates’ desire to stay in the Presidential Suite and not wanting to play favorites, I asked my Chief Engineer to have 3 additional Presidential Suite signs made up. For a “hold my breath and cross my fingers” 4 week period of time, we became the only hotel in the world with four Presidential Suites. It certainly was a gamble that could have turned out to be a public relations disaster, but fortunately it paid off and all the candidates left satisfied with their special accommodations, the “best room in the house”.
{The Miami Chapter….to be continued]
Monday, January 31, 2011
WHAT IS IT?
What weighs about the same as a fully loaded Boeing 747, requires 2 acres to park it, costs $10M, takes 10 months to construct and requires roughly 27,000 different things to be placed inside of it before it can take off?
You guessed it, a 100 room new construction Hotel Equities select service hotel.
When we built our first hotel, I was amazed to learn about all of the FF&E [furniture, fixtures and equipment] as well as other operating supplies and material that needed to be purchased and then placed into a new hotel before opening [I admit that I guessed at the number 27,000 but I bet I’m close]. I had managed numerous hotels, but my mind had been on operations of the existing asset and not on the attention to detail that is necessary to develop, construct and then open one.
Our first hotel was the Alpharetta, GA Fairfield Inn and Suites which opened on May 17, 1995. I remember that date well because May 17th is my oldest daughter Rachael’s birthday.
I recall my conversation with the General Contractor about how long it was going to take to build and how many rain days he had built into his assumptions. He said that it would take approximately 10 months to construct and that he had allowed for 29 “rain days” in his projections. We broke ground on July 1, 1994 and it proceeded to rain in Alpharetta for the next 29 days straight.
I thought at first that we had been jinxed, but have since come to learn that we had indeed been blessed. The FFI&S-Alpharetta has been one of Hotel Equities’ most successful hotels in corporate history. In fact, a number of our current Coaches and General Managers received their start with our company or have spent some time working at this great property. With an approximate employee to room count of I to 4 and a far lower than industry standard of management and associate turnover, this property has seen its share of talented hotel people.
Dolly Parton once said, “If you want to see a rainbow, you have to put up with some rain”.
I’m thankful for the rain.
You guessed it, a 100 room new construction Hotel Equities select service hotel.
When we built our first hotel, I was amazed to learn about all of the FF&E [furniture, fixtures and equipment] as well as other operating supplies and material that needed to be purchased and then placed into a new hotel before opening [I admit that I guessed at the number 27,000 but I bet I’m close]. I had managed numerous hotels, but my mind had been on operations of the existing asset and not on the attention to detail that is necessary to develop, construct and then open one.
Our first hotel was the Alpharetta, GA Fairfield Inn and Suites which opened on May 17, 1995. I remember that date well because May 17th is my oldest daughter Rachael’s birthday.
I recall my conversation with the General Contractor about how long it was going to take to build and how many rain days he had built into his assumptions. He said that it would take approximately 10 months to construct and that he had allowed for 29 “rain days” in his projections. We broke ground on July 1, 1994 and it proceeded to rain in Alpharetta for the next 29 days straight.
I thought at first that we had been jinxed, but have since come to learn that we had indeed been blessed. The FFI&S-Alpharetta has been one of Hotel Equities’ most successful hotels in corporate history. In fact, a number of our current Coaches and General Managers received their start with our company or have spent some time working at this great property. With an approximate employee to room count of I to 4 and a far lower than industry standard of management and associate turnover, this property has seen its share of talented hotel people.
Dolly Parton once said, “If you want to see a rainbow, you have to put up with some rain”.
I’m thankful for the rain.
Monday, January 17, 2011
WHAT JUST HAPPENED?
Well it happened again. As hard as I tried to not get caught up in the commercialization of Christmas, I have to admit that I once again did. I don’t have a real good excuse especially since my wife Christine does most of the Christmas shopping. I did do a little better, but it was my goal this past year to be more intentional about enjoying each day leading up to the holiday while focusing on the true meaning of the season. It doesn’t help that the department stores begin advertising Christmas shortly after Halloween.
In 2011 I plan to do better. I’m going to try to focus more on our family traditions. One of which is the placement of the 29 cent star that has sat atop each Christmas tree since Christine and I were first married. Like most young couples we didn’t have a lot of money. I earned 77 cents an hour at my first job as a mail and information clerk at the Sheraton Boston Hotel. If you have been to our home during the holidays, perhaps you have seen the green and silver tin-foil star on top of the tree. Having survived six moves and untold packing and repacking abuses, the star has taken its share of dings. In fact it is now hard to get it to sit straight and so this year in particular it leaned hard right, similar to most of my drives in golf. In spite of its lackluster appearance, the star will be out this year as well, just like it has the past 43.
Another tradition we started a few years ago is the “ tree envelope gift drawing”. Here’s how it goes. Christine and I have six grandchildren, so we take six envelopes and fill them each with a different dollar denomination from one to one hundred. So, one lucky grandchild wins $100 while the others win 50, 20, 10, 5 and 1 respectively. The kids choose numbers from 1 thru 6 out of a hat which determines the order in which they retrieve an envelope. This year our youngest grandson Jake won. You may have heard his shouts of joy. He did a good job of withstanding the harassing chants and offers to trade envelopes from his sister and cousins.
My grandfather used to say, “the older you get , the faster time goes by”. That never used to make sense as a kid, but it sure makes sense now. So, with that thought in mind, why don’t you join me this year in committing to be more intentional about Christmas. I know it seems a long way off but it will be here before you know it. And even faster for some of us, depending on our age.
In 2011 I plan to do better. I’m going to try to focus more on our family traditions. One of which is the placement of the 29 cent star that has sat atop each Christmas tree since Christine and I were first married. Like most young couples we didn’t have a lot of money. I earned 77 cents an hour at my first job as a mail and information clerk at the Sheraton Boston Hotel. If you have been to our home during the holidays, perhaps you have seen the green and silver tin-foil star on top of the tree. Having survived six moves and untold packing and repacking abuses, the star has taken its share of dings. In fact it is now hard to get it to sit straight and so this year in particular it leaned hard right, similar to most of my drives in golf. In spite of its lackluster appearance, the star will be out this year as well, just like it has the past 43.
Another tradition we started a few years ago is the “ tree envelope gift drawing”. Here’s how it goes. Christine and I have six grandchildren, so we take six envelopes and fill them each with a different dollar denomination from one to one hundred. So, one lucky grandchild wins $100 while the others win 50, 20, 10, 5 and 1 respectively. The kids choose numbers from 1 thru 6 out of a hat which determines the order in which they retrieve an envelope. This year our youngest grandson Jake won. You may have heard his shouts of joy. He did a good job of withstanding the harassing chants and offers to trade envelopes from his sister and cousins.
My grandfather used to say, “the older you get , the faster time goes by”. That never used to make sense as a kid, but it sure makes sense now. So, with that thought in mind, why don’t you join me this year in committing to be more intentional about Christmas. I know it seems a long way off but it will be here before you know it. And even faster for some of us, depending on our age.
Friday, December 31, 2010
CHRISTMAS 2010
As 2010 draws to a close amid the
lights of the holiday season,
I would like to acknowledge and thank our associates/teammates,
team leaders, coaches, board members, vendors, franchise partners,
and friends who have helped make Hotel Equities
light shine so brightly throughout this year.
May the beauty
of the holidays inspire
gratitude for yesterday,
joy for today and
hope for the new year to come.
lights of the holiday season,
I would like to acknowledge and thank our associates/teammates,
team leaders, coaches, board members, vendors, franchise partners,
and friends who have helped make Hotel Equities
light shine so brightly throughout this year.
May the beauty
of the holidays inspire
gratitude for yesterday,
joy for today and
hope for the new year to come.
Thursday, December 16, 2010
ARE WE THERE YET?
I remember when our kids were young and when we would go on a road trip the typical and consistent question after 2-3 hours into the drive was, “Are we there yet?” Having been in the worst recession of our lifetime for the past two years, that is an appropriate question regarding the condition of our economy.
Most of the economic prognosticators that I respect are saying that this will be a slow steady climb out and not a “hockey stick” type recovery where we go into a steep, steady and sustainable climb out of the recession.
Here’s some good news. For the first time in over two years, Hotel Equities has achieved two consecutive months of double digit year over year revpar growth. Are we out of the recession? I don’t know for certain but that is certainly a strong indicator that things are improving.
Unemployment rates continue to hover around 10%, consumer confidence levels remain low and housing starts are still extremely sluggish, all primary indicators for our industry. However, it does in fact appear that the worst may be behind us. I sure hope so. I am looking forward to year over year numbers remaining in the black and a positive trend turning into a new period of extended growth.
As we go into a new year as well as a new decade in 2011, my hope is that you don’t stop dreaming and that all your dreams inspire you to new personal triumphs.
No, we are not there yet, but I think we are getting closer.
Most of the economic prognosticators that I respect are saying that this will be a slow steady climb out and not a “hockey stick” type recovery where we go into a steep, steady and sustainable climb out of the recession.
Here’s some good news. For the first time in over two years, Hotel Equities has achieved two consecutive months of double digit year over year revpar growth. Are we out of the recession? I don’t know for certain but that is certainly a strong indicator that things are improving.
Unemployment rates continue to hover around 10%, consumer confidence levels remain low and housing starts are still extremely sluggish, all primary indicators for our industry. However, it does in fact appear that the worst may be behind us. I sure hope so. I am looking forward to year over year numbers remaining in the black and a positive trend turning into a new period of extended growth.
As we go into a new year as well as a new decade in 2011, my hope is that you don’t stop dreaming and that all your dreams inspire you to new personal triumphs.
No, we are not there yet, but I think we are getting closer.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
IN YOUR OPINION, WHAT MAKES A GREAT LEADER?
I think a great leader can be defined as a person who has found their purpose in life, does what they do with great passion and helps as many people as possible while in pursuit of their goals.
I forget who said it, but I heard a great line that goes something like this; “Success isn’t defined by how many times you cross the goal line but instead by how many people you carry with you across the goal line.”
Life is a matter of priorities. We should make people a top priority in our life. How many people you carry with you is the truest factor in determining your success as a leader.
I forget who said it, but I heard a great line that goes something like this; “Success isn’t defined by how many times you cross the goal line but instead by how many people you carry with you across the goal line.”
Life is a matter of priorities. We should make people a top priority in our life. How many people you carry with you is the truest factor in determining your success as a leader.
Monday, November 15, 2010
WHAT IS THE BEST ADVICE YOU HAVE EVER GIVEN TO A TEAM MEMBER?
The best advice I think I have ever given to a team member was probably, “If you don’t enjoy what you are doing, go do something else”. I am a firm believer that life is too short for you to not be doing something that you like. I have the great pleasure of teaching a “culture class” to all new associates bi-monthly. One of my favorite things about teaching that 2 hour class is when I get to look them in the eye and suggest they leave if they don’t like what they are doing. You should see the look on some of their faces. It is combination of surprise and shock but in the end I see an expression which seems to say, “that makes sense”.
I obviously don’t do it to run people off from our company, but more out of a sense of caring for their well being and wanting team members who care about their job enough to want to do it well.
I usually make the statement just prior to our mid-class break time. I then get the opportunity to invite them back with a statement like, “I guess you like your job well enough to have come back for part two”.
I love my job and therefore have a keen desire to see others share a similar experience. I think it is healthy for us to be occasionally reminded about the brevity of life along with the realization that our choice of workplace is important to our quality of life. This is particularly true in that we spend most of our waking hours at work.
What are you doing with the rest of your life?
I obviously don’t do it to run people off from our company, but more out of a sense of caring for their well being and wanting team members who care about their job enough to want to do it well.
I usually make the statement just prior to our mid-class break time. I then get the opportunity to invite them back with a statement like, “I guess you like your job well enough to have come back for part two”.
I love my job and therefore have a keen desire to see others share a similar experience. I think it is healthy for us to be occasionally reminded about the brevity of life along with the realization that our choice of workplace is important to our quality of life. This is particularly true in that we spend most of our waking hours at work.
What are you doing with the rest of your life?
Friday, October 15, 2010
TRICK OR TREAT?
As I write this, we are in the midst our first weekend of October, 2010. Finally the heat of the summer is behind us and those 90+ degree sweltering days with high humidity are a thing of the past. Football is now in full swing and my favorite sport is beginning its post season race next week with eight teams in pursuit of the coveted title of being named World Series Champions of major league baseball.
Also, we will soon be buying candy and getting things ready for Halloween. My wife and I have the pleasure of living in a rather large family friendly neighborhood so, I get a chance to dress up and behave like a kid at least once more this year. Another reason I enjoy Halloween so much is because I get to experience the joy of giving out baseball cards to excited little boys [and sometimes girls]. We give the kids the option of getting candy or playing a dice game. If they choose the dice game, they get to roll three dice and get to win the baseball cards which lie on the corresponding square numbering from 3 to 18 [for those of you who have never played or don’t remember dice games, each dice has six sides and each side is numbered one through six]. Of course I place the most expensive, highly coveted baseball cards on numbers 3 and 18, which are the most difficult number combinations to roll [you have to roll either three 1’s or three 6’s]. Almost every year a small child has gone home with a valued baseball card prize in the $40-$50 price range. I wonder how many of them end up in the trash along with some of the candy that parents have to destroy in order to keep their dentist bills in line with their budget.
As for the hotel business, we continue to struggle with our roll of the dice called the economy. Budgeted revenues and room rate growth have been difficult to achieve even though we have begun to see some slight improvement in weekday occupancy. The pundits say that it will be 2012 before we are able to get our room rates back up to 2008 levels and more likely 2014 or 2015 before we are at CPI adjusted room rate levels of that year.
This has been a long tough road. We each have felt the sting of the worst economic downturn in recorded hotel history. However, as we approach the holidays, let’s each be mindful of our blessings and not dwell on the inconveniences of the belt tightening that we have all had to endure. With unemployment at or near 10% and underemployment close to 9%, that combination means that nearly one out of five people are suffering significant lifestyle changes.
Please remember to tell people that Hotel Equities hosts “Life Lessons over Lunch” each Wednesday at noon at our corporate office in Dunwoody, GA. We provide lunch as well as career networking opportunities for all people who are in between work assignments. The career networking portion begins each week at 10:45am and concludes with a complimentary lunch and the showing of a DVD series lesson featuring Andy Stanley, pastor of Northpoint Community Church in Alpharetta, GA. Andy is an excellent communicator who each week delivers a very relevant spiritual message that is typically a blessing to all who attend.
After the difficulties of the past year or two, I don’t know about you but this Halloween I’m going for the treats, I’m tired of all the tricks.
Also, we will soon be buying candy and getting things ready for Halloween. My wife and I have the pleasure of living in a rather large family friendly neighborhood so, I get a chance to dress up and behave like a kid at least once more this year. Another reason I enjoy Halloween so much is because I get to experience the joy of giving out baseball cards to excited little boys [and sometimes girls]. We give the kids the option of getting candy or playing a dice game. If they choose the dice game, they get to roll three dice and get to win the baseball cards which lie on the corresponding square numbering from 3 to 18 [for those of you who have never played or don’t remember dice games, each dice has six sides and each side is numbered one through six]. Of course I place the most expensive, highly coveted baseball cards on numbers 3 and 18, which are the most difficult number combinations to roll [you have to roll either three 1’s or three 6’s]. Almost every year a small child has gone home with a valued baseball card prize in the $40-$50 price range. I wonder how many of them end up in the trash along with some of the candy that parents have to destroy in order to keep their dentist bills in line with their budget.
As for the hotel business, we continue to struggle with our roll of the dice called the economy. Budgeted revenues and room rate growth have been difficult to achieve even though we have begun to see some slight improvement in weekday occupancy. The pundits say that it will be 2012 before we are able to get our room rates back up to 2008 levels and more likely 2014 or 2015 before we are at CPI adjusted room rate levels of that year.
This has been a long tough road. We each have felt the sting of the worst economic downturn in recorded hotel history. However, as we approach the holidays, let’s each be mindful of our blessings and not dwell on the inconveniences of the belt tightening that we have all had to endure. With unemployment at or near 10% and underemployment close to 9%, that combination means that nearly one out of five people are suffering significant lifestyle changes.
Please remember to tell people that Hotel Equities hosts “Life Lessons over Lunch” each Wednesday at noon at our corporate office in Dunwoody, GA. We provide lunch as well as career networking opportunities for all people who are in between work assignments. The career networking portion begins each week at 10:45am and concludes with a complimentary lunch and the showing of a DVD series lesson featuring Andy Stanley, pastor of Northpoint Community Church in Alpharetta, GA. Andy is an excellent communicator who each week delivers a very relevant spiritual message that is typically a blessing to all who attend.
After the difficulties of the past year or two, I don’t know about you but this Halloween I’m going for the treats, I’m tired of all the tricks.
Friday, October 1, 2010
WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE ASPECT ABOUT BEING A HEAD COACH?
I get great enjoyment and satisfaction in seeing others do well. As a company we have had nine winners of the Marriott General Manager of the Year award. Most of the winners are not only still with the company, but have advanced their careers and have themselves gone on to become coaches.
Like most people, I get greater joy out of giving a gift than receiving one. One of the most fun parts of my role as Head Coach is when we meet quarterly to celebrate the extraordinary efforts of our managers and associates. To me, they are the true heroes of this company. They go above and beyond to see that our three key stake holders [our guests, our associates and our investors] expectations are being met.
What a thrill it is to be living my dream as Head Coach of this team and to see people growing and reaching their goals as well. It doesn’t get any better in my book.
Like most people, I get greater joy out of giving a gift than receiving one. One of the most fun parts of my role as Head Coach is when we meet quarterly to celebrate the extraordinary efforts of our managers and associates. To me, they are the true heroes of this company. They go above and beyond to see that our three key stake holders [our guests, our associates and our investors] expectations are being met.
What a thrill it is to be living my dream as Head Coach of this team and to see people growing and reaching their goals as well. It doesn’t get any better in my book.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
SHOULD PETE ROSE BE IN THE BASEBALL HALL OF FAME?
Wow! What a controversial question. As a huge baseball fan [Red Sox and Braves……..real die-hard fans have to have both an AL and NL team], I love the purity of the game not the shady side……the sex, drugs and alcohol [and in this case, gambling]. As in just about all sports today, you have to look beyond the human character flaws [and we all have them] and focus on the game itself. There is nothing more exciting in sports than to watch an athlete who has special physical skills and who has an extra level of charisma and energy, compete in a sport which you enjoy watching. Pete Rose was that sort of athlete. In fact, his nickname was “Charlie Hustle”. People would go to games that they otherwise wouldn’t just to watch him play.
He holds the record for the most base hits by a major league player in baseball history [4,256], having broken Ty Cobb’s record of 4,191 hits. Just think of it, only a few great hitters [maybe a handful of players per year] will achieve 200 hits per year. To break the record, Pete Rose had to accomplish that for 20 plus years. He had a lifetime batting average of .303, was Rookie of the Year in 1963, finished in the top 25 in MVP voting 15 times, was the MVP of the National League once, and was an All-Star 17 times during his 24 year career. Wow, what an accomplishment! What a career!
In spite of his unbelievable feats, Pete Rose disgraced the game of baseball by gambling on games in which he had influence on the outcome. Even more importantly [and in light of the fact that we Americans are a very forgiving society, so long as forgiveness is asked for and remorse is shown], he has remained angry and arrogant about his judgment, being banned from baseball for life.
Some of you may be saying, “but what about showing Pete some grace?”. I’m all about grace, in fact I consider myself the benefactor of God’s grace. I read an article recently by Max Lucado who is one of my favorite authors, in which he talked about grace. He made a statement that I think is worth repeating here; “I am never surprised by God’s judgment but stand in awe of his grace”. I wish Pete could read that and grasp the reality of it.
In summary, you cannot deny the outstanding playing ability and on field accomplishments of Pete Rose but, based upon his current attitude towards baseball’s judgment of his actions , I think he should reach the Hall of Fame posthumously.
He holds the record for the most base hits by a major league player in baseball history [4,256], having broken Ty Cobb’s record of 4,191 hits. Just think of it, only a few great hitters [maybe a handful of players per year] will achieve 200 hits per year. To break the record, Pete Rose had to accomplish that for 20 plus years. He had a lifetime batting average of .303, was Rookie of the Year in 1963, finished in the top 25 in MVP voting 15 times, was the MVP of the National League once, and was an All-Star 17 times during his 24 year career. Wow, what an accomplishment! What a career!
In spite of his unbelievable feats, Pete Rose disgraced the game of baseball by gambling on games in which he had influence on the outcome. Even more importantly [and in light of the fact that we Americans are a very forgiving society, so long as forgiveness is asked for and remorse is shown], he has remained angry and arrogant about his judgment, being banned from baseball for life.
Some of you may be saying, “but what about showing Pete some grace?”. I’m all about grace, in fact I consider myself the benefactor of God’s grace. I read an article recently by Max Lucado who is one of my favorite authors, in which he talked about grace. He made a statement that I think is worth repeating here; “I am never surprised by God’s judgment but stand in awe of his grace”. I wish Pete could read that and grasp the reality of it.
In summary, you cannot deny the outstanding playing ability and on field accomplishments of Pete Rose but, based upon his current attitude towards baseball’s judgment of his actions , I think he should reach the Hall of Fame posthumously.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
WHAT WERE YOUR THOUGHTS BEHIND THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE TEAM LEADER PROGRAM?
The Team Leader program was designed and implemented as a means to build leadership depth within Hotel Equities as we grow the company. One of the biggest challenges regarding the growth of a management company is the delicate balance between talent depth and pace of growth. In addition to the pace of growth, other critical factors include geographic location, size, type, and franchise affiliation of the properties that are added to the portfolio.
With this in mind, it was felt that the TL program allowed HE the most cost effective and flexible approach to growth. It has been a policy of HE to promote from within whenever possible and therefore this process allowed talented single unit hotel manager’s an opportunity to experience multi-unit management. I am of the opinion that the transition from single unit to multi unit management is one of the most challenging management paradigm shifts a leader will experience in their hospitality career.
With this in mind, it was felt that the TL program allowed HE the most cost effective and flexible approach to growth. It has been a policy of HE to promote from within whenever possible and therefore this process allowed talented single unit hotel manager’s an opportunity to experience multi-unit management. I am of the opinion that the transition from single unit to multi unit management is one of the most challenging management paradigm shifts a leader will experience in their hospitality career.
Friday, July 30, 2010
WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO IN YOUR SPARE TIME?
My favorite thing to do in my spare time is to spend time with family and friends. I especially enjoy watching my grandchildren play sports. I had one of the most enjoyable weeks I have had in a long time last week while watching one of my grandsons play baseball. My 2nd to the oldest grandson Eli is an exceptional baseball player. He was recently honored by being selected to play on a statewide [South Carolina] All-Star team called the Blue Chip Bulls.
The Bulls just finished a week long tournament here in Atlanta sponsored by the East Cobb baseball program in which 192 teams from all across the country competed. The Bulls finished the tournament with a 3-1-1 record tied for first in their bracket. Unfortunately, the one loss they had was to the team they ended up tied with which meant that the other team got to advance and we didn’t. I was so proud of Eli who was the starting SS and lead-off hitter for the Bulls. He batted .451 for the tournament and played errorless ball in the field. I’m hoping he’ll have his own baseball card one day.
The Bulls just finished a week long tournament here in Atlanta sponsored by the East Cobb baseball program in which 192 teams from all across the country competed. The Bulls finished the tournament with a 3-1-1 record tied for first in their bracket. Unfortunately, the one loss they had was to the team they ended up tied with which meant that the other team got to advance and we didn’t. I was so proud of Eli who was the starting SS and lead-off hitter for the Bulls. He batted .451 for the tournament and played errorless ball in the field. I’m hoping he’ll have his own baseball card one day.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
OTHER THAN THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY AND YOUR BELOVED RED SOX, WHAT IS YOUR REAL PASSION THAT WE MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT?
Teaching. I think if I was not in the hotel business, I would be teaching in some capacity, probably at the college level and, more than likely, in the hospitality arena. I enjoy utilizing my experience and sharing my passion about the hospitality industry with others. I do a fair amount of teaching presently in my Head Coach capacity – just enough to “scratch my itch” in that area. I love it when I’m able to see audiences respond to information or knowledge that they were not aware of, and I particularly enjoy sharing about the history of the hotel business. It is not only one of the oldest professions, but it’s also one of the most interesting and rewarding. We in the hotel business often talk about the fact that once the business “gets in your blood”, it’s hard to get out. I believe the secret to success is finding something you are passionate about and then finding someone who’s willing to pay you to do it. I hope you enjoy this great business as much as I do.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
WHO WOULD PLAY FRED CERRONE IN THE MOVIE ABOUT YOUR LIFE?
Matt Damon – First, because he’s from Boston and is a huge Red Sox fan! Secondly, I have enjoyed a number of his movies, including The Bourne Identity series. Not that I picture myself as a James Bond type, however, I have indeed enjoyed an exciting ride by being involved in the hotel business.
Monday, June 14, 2010
IF YOU HAD A CHANCE TO CHANGE ANY LAW OR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
Tort Reform. Because of our litigious society and the prevalence of lawsuits, basically anyone can sue anyone else without worrying about the consequences. I believe that in England, if you sue someone and you lose, you must pay their attorney fees which keeps down the number of frivolous lawsuits. That would be a good change of law that would positively impact our society and make us more prone to want to help each other without the risk of being sued for “doing the right thing.”
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
WITH THE ECONOMY CHANGING, DO YOU SEE YOURSELF CHANGING HOW YOU MAKE DECISIONS?
The short answer is “yes”. The longer answer is that we are in the midst of the worst economic crisis in the history of our nation. You can’t get around the fact that unemployment is at 10% and, by the way, the real number is probably closer to 20% when you include those who are underemployed. Today, it’s almost impossible to get business loans. The thing that makes this downturn stand out from others that I have experienced in my 40+ years in the business is that all sectors – hotels, office, retail, and apartments (basically the entire real estate sector) have been impacted similarly. I am thankful that the majority of our hotels carry top-tier franchises and that this allows us to weather the storm better than most. You have probably heard the saying, “All boats float during similar tides” and I believe this is true. However, if you have a well-located hotel with a top-notch franchise, you are going to enjoy more buoyancy and, in fact, recover at a faster rate than other hotels affiliated with lesser franchise flags. Our investors are currently under tremendous financial pressure and we must do our best to help them make their debt service payments. Therefore, we have to be sensitive to their needs and the urgency factor therein. Having said that, we as a company have done a great job of preserving jobs for more than 700 people. I personally am focused on growing our business in a manner which will not only save jobs, but provide employment opportunities for others that might not otherwise be able to find gainful employment. The fact that we have identified our three key stakeholders as our guests, associates, and investors has served us well during these difficult times.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
GROWING GAINS
This is an exciting time for our company. As we approach our goal of 50 hotels in our portfolio, it is important to remember that we are a company of champions with a storied and distinguished track record.
At Notre Dame, each football player touches a plaque with the inscription “Play like a Champion.” prior to stepping on the field before each game. At HE, we must employ the same dedication and discipline to maintain our edge. I challenge each of you to adopt this type of mentality before stepping onto your workplace in order to continue to perform and be perceived as champions. Our reputation is on the line whenever a guest enters the lobby of a Hotel Equities’ hotel.
We have established an excellent reputation with each of our company’s stakeholders: guests, associates and owners. As we continue in our tradition of excellence, remember, we’re a team and together we can accomplish great things.
At Notre Dame, each football player touches a plaque with the inscription “Play like a Champion.” prior to stepping on the field before each game. At HE, we must employ the same dedication and discipline to maintain our edge. I challenge each of you to adopt this type of mentality before stepping onto your workplace in order to continue to perform and be perceived as champions. Our reputation is on the line whenever a guest enters the lobby of a Hotel Equities’ hotel.
We have established an excellent reputation with each of our company’s stakeholders: guests, associates and owners. As we continue in our tradition of excellence, remember, we’re a team and together we can accomplish great things.
Friday, April 30, 2010
WHO IS THE COOLEST PERSON YOU EVER MET AND WHY?
The coolest person I ever met was by a long shot, my grandfather. His name is Alexander [Alex] McKean and he was a janitor at an elementary school for 47 years. He taught me the importance of consistency along with many other things. “Grampy”, as I would call him, was a kind and gentle giant. He knew everyone in his home town of Revere, Massachusetts and everyone knew him or so it seemed to me. As a young boy of 5, my parents became divorced. It was a difficult time for me, not having my Dad living with us and giving me the guidance and direction that a young boy requires in order to “figure out life”.
I used to spend summers with Grampy and he would take me to work at the Pembrook Pines Elementary school in Revere. I would help with odd chores around the school, which was of course closed for the summer except for a few “summer school” classes for those kids that had fallen behind in their studies for one reason or the other. Of course Grampy knew them all by name, both the teachers and the students. I used to wonder how he was able to remember all their names. It would amaze me how their faces would light up when he called their name one by one. All those faces and all those names.
It wasn’t until several years later that I would fully realize the impact he had had on those people.
It was the day of his funeral and as my mother and sister and I drove close to the funeral home. I remember asking my mother about the long line of people that surrounded the funeral home and extended for a block and a half. She said, you’ll see son once we get inside.
I stood amazed in the infamous “receiving line”, as what appeared to be hundreds of people in single file, walked past us, my grandmother, my mother , my sister and me. One after another recounted how much “Alex” had meant to them. Teachers, students, parents, school board members. “He always had a kind word for me” was the most common phrase I heard. Wow, what an impression he made. What a difference he had made in their life. Not only on me, but on nearly everyone he met. A janitor, at an elementary school! He was cool. I miss him to this day.
I used to spend summers with Grampy and he would take me to work at the Pembrook Pines Elementary school in Revere. I would help with odd chores around the school, which was of course closed for the summer except for a few “summer school” classes for those kids that had fallen behind in their studies for one reason or the other. Of course Grampy knew them all by name, both the teachers and the students. I used to wonder how he was able to remember all their names. It would amaze me how their faces would light up when he called their name one by one. All those faces and all those names.
It wasn’t until several years later that I would fully realize the impact he had had on those people.
It was the day of his funeral and as my mother and sister and I drove close to the funeral home. I remember asking my mother about the long line of people that surrounded the funeral home and extended for a block and a half. She said, you’ll see son once we get inside.
I stood amazed in the infamous “receiving line”, as what appeared to be hundreds of people in single file, walked past us, my grandmother, my mother , my sister and me. One after another recounted how much “Alex” had meant to them. Teachers, students, parents, school board members. “He always had a kind word for me” was the most common phrase I heard. Wow, what an impression he made. What a difference he had made in their life. Not only on me, but on nearly everyone he met. A janitor, at an elementary school! He was cool. I miss him to this day.
Monday, April 19, 2010
WHERE IS THE ONE PLACE THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO VISIT THAT YOU HAVE NOT YET BEEN?
I would love to visit Israel. As I write this, we have recently celebrated Easter and I am mindful of the traditions and reality of my Christian faith. I would love to have the opportunity to travel and visit some of the same places Jesus did. It would be an extra special treat to have a guide who could bring the bible to life as we walk the paths where some of the best stories ever told originated.
This past year I had the pleasure of visiting Italy for the first time which is the birthplace of my paternal grandparents. That experience was very moving for me. We found the small town of Isle de Liri which is about 90 miles south of Rome. We met several townsfolk but were unable to complete the trace of our heritage since most of the towns records were destroyed in a major flood which took place in the early 1900’s. The town name which means the land of two rivers is one of the most quaint spots I have ever visited.
In preparing for the trip we did some ancestry research and learned that my grandparents immigrated to this country in 1904. My grandmother was pregnant with my father during the voyage from Italy and my father was named after the ship they sailed on which was the Frederic de Grosse. So, I guess you could say I was named after a floating hotel.
This past year I had the pleasure of visiting Italy for the first time which is the birthplace of my paternal grandparents. That experience was very moving for me. We found the small town of Isle de Liri which is about 90 miles south of Rome. We met several townsfolk but were unable to complete the trace of our heritage since most of the towns records were destroyed in a major flood which took place in the early 1900’s. The town name which means the land of two rivers is one of the most quaint spots I have ever visited.
In preparing for the trip we did some ancestry research and learned that my grandparents immigrated to this country in 1904. My grandmother was pregnant with my father during the voyage from Italy and my father was named after the ship they sailed on which was the Frederic de Grosse. So, I guess you could say I was named after a floating hotel.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)