Promoting from Within
What do the Hampton Inn Marion’s Brittany Kennedy, the Fairfield Inn & Suites New York Manhattan/Central Park’s Ashley De La Cruz, Tarrytown House Estate’s Daniela Casanova and the Holiday Inn New York City-Lower East Side’s Dawn Coleman all have in common? The four M&R team members were among the company’s associates promoted this year to positions of greater responsibility and—with the increase in responsibility—an increase in status and compensation.
Brittany had been assistant general manager; she now leads her hotel’s team as general manager. Ashley moved up from front office supervisor to operations manager. Daniela had been a human resources generalist. Today’s she’s her hotel’s HR manager. Lastly, Dawn had been director of sales. She retains those responsibilities, while also moving to another hotel department altogether, becoming her property’s director of operations.
Promoting worthy employees from within the organization has long been a top priority at M&R. Senior management believes it’s a way of rewarding bright, hardworking team members and a reminder that the job they’re hired for need not be a dead end. Rather, that first job can be a stepping stone to a career in hospitality at M&R with greater responsibility and the opportunity to expand an employee’s skill set.
How can entry-level employees communicate to their managers that they’re interested in an internal promotion? “Obviously, do the best job you can in your present position,” said Cleo Clarke, vice president of human resources. “When you see opportunities to improve the way things are currently done, speak up. Suggestions are always welcome.
“Learn as much as you can about other aspects of your hotel’s operations and how they may dovetail with your skill set and interests. Performance reviews, meanwhile, are another opportunity to make your career ambitions known.”
Brittany, Derryanne, Daniela and Dawn all received their promotions in the first quarter of the year. They’ve now settled comfortably into their new roles.
Future issues of M&R Team News will introduce you to other recently promoted colleagues. Who knows, you might see your name in an upcoming story!
