In today’s world, we are constantly undergoing change.  With eight months behind us for the year and four more to go, the “change” we have endured is impressive.  The world has changed greatly.  Watching the morning news reveals that change is happening so fast…it is impossible to track.   Our own MJ has changed with a growing portfolio of five new hotels and more development under contract.  We also have new faces and new initiatives such as the Food and Beverage Impact Committee.  Each is taking action and making ripples. 

Each of us have changed, learned, grown and adapted.   My life as well as the lives of my family members, have changed.  Elaine Jabara passed away August 3.  She was my grandmother by birth, but she filled the role of “grandmother” to many of you when she stayed in your hotels during her summer trips.   And so, we look back with wonderful memories and embrace with grace the inevitable change life brings.

One thing for sure, change is a coming and I spend a lot of time thinking about what that means to Meyer Jabara.   As part of The Journey we discuss that “change is good”.  We embrace it.  We encourage it.  But it is not always easy.

Chris Canciolosi, a writer for Forbes, wrote an article on Change Culture.  Four points resonated with me:

Don’t wait
Be rigorous
Take responsibility
Understand that culture is a team effort

In New York City, I am reminded each day by the change that has taken place with the taxi industry.   For decades Taxis were the only way to travel by car in the city.  Now with technology and apps like Uber and Lyft, yellow cabs are outnumbered 4:1.

Change such as this has already hit our industry in the ways our customers book hotel rooms.  OTA’s continue to change the way we do business.  Customers’ wants and needs are changing faster than ever.  Our industry is shifting to select service, mobile, experiential-focused stays.

One this is for sure, change is coming.

Be awake to the nuances of that change.   Be relentless in your quest for understanding.  Own the responsibility to adapt and proactively lead change.  Because with change comes opportunity.  The opportunity to please our Guests.  The opportunity to enter into new business segments.  The opportunity to out perform our markets.

When we all behave as if we truly believe “change is good”, we will thrive and yell from the mountaintop, “Change is GREAT!”

Please share your recent story of embracing change.