A Memorable Memorial Day

Memorial Day weekend -for some it is a day at work.  For others it is a day off filled with barbeques and beer.   For others it is a reverent time of solace and remembrance of those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom and country. But whether the weekend involves food, flags, or fun…it always involves family.  I, too, was lucky enough to spend the time with family.  I visited my grandparents in Florida. We talked about family, friends and, of course, about the business.

Each morning, as the world was waking, my grandfather and I would sit on the porch and drink our coffee and talk.  We talked about the Company; the beginning days to the transition to MJ as it has grown into the company we know today. As the sun rose and the stories flowed. I felt as though I sat before a library filled with every book a hotelier would need to get their “PhD” in Professional Hospitality Development”.

All through my own personal journey, I’ve kept asking myself, “In a world filled with so many hotels, restaurants, and banquet facilities, “What is our MJ difference?  What is the driving force that has grown MJ through the years?”

The answer came to me by sincerely listening to my grandfather’s stories.  The business has changed a lot over the years, but one thing that hasn’t changed is our focus on true hospitality – everyone in the hotel truly caring about delivering what the guest really wants — in spades!.  All hotels have pretty carpets and comfy beds. But what makes the difference, and generates their long term success, is the commitment on the part of each and every MJ person to deliver the best that every guest wants. That’s the MJ secret. That’s MJ Hospitality on Journey Steroids!

Over those days of storytelling with my grandfather I never once heard a conversation about a pretty lobby or a wonderfully patterned bedspread.   No – – the stories were about MJ people and the differentiated experiences those people create and deliver!  As I learn more and more about The Journey culture I see how it helps us unleash the Hospitality Power of MJ People To Create and Deliver repeatable and referable experiences that both are valued by the guest and are DIFFERENT from our competition.   A culture of leaders empowering the “flock” encourages our caring hospitality minded people to be fantastic experience generators. That is, and always has been, our MJ Difference.

This Memorial Day weekend of mornings will be forever locked away in my treasured memories, joining the many other times we’ve shared together. On the flight home I realized “why” this time had such a powerful impact on me. My grandfather was passing on his “secret”.  It is the same “secret” my father and Mr. Meyer have been passing on to us for many years.  “BE DIFFERENT/BETTER THAN YOUR COMPETITION IN THE EYES OF YOUR GUESTS.  MAKE THAT DIFFERENCE ABOUT SERVING OTHERS MEMORABLY.  EMPOWER THE PEOPLE CLOSEST TO THE GUESTS TO DELIVER THAT DIFFERENCE.”

I get it.

I just wanted to share it with you.

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