This weekend the sales teams of Opus Hotels in Montreal and Vancouver convened in Vancouver for the first national sales meeting, which I had the privilege of facilitating. It was a formidable group, ranging from grizzled veterans like Vancouver-based sales manager Phil Renaud and general manager Nicholas Gandossi to fresh-faced newbies like Montreal-based sales managers Marc Barmash and Yves Pouliot. Also present were John deC. Evans, Tom Johnston, and Katherine Evans from the ownership group.
Topics included the evolution of the Opus brand, from the opening of Opus Hotel Vancouver in 2002, then considered a risky and audacious undertaking, to the property being named one of the World’s Best 100 Hotels by readers of Condé Nast Traveler in 2005, and on to the opening of Opus Hotel Montreal in 2007. We also discussed the importance of our vibrant restaurant and lounge scene as a key differentiator to other hotels, of our vision of providing the best boutique experience, and of our corporate values of respect, empowerment and innovation.
During an over-caffeinated branding discussion, it was suggested that should aspire to be the Lady Gaga of hotels. Some hotels have magazine themes, others art themes, why not a music artist theme? But then the caffeine wore off and we decided that, as much as we admire the reigning queen of glam rock (who has been spotted at both Opus properties), a better analogy was presented by guest speaker Jake Wetzel.
Over lunch, Wetzel (pictured above with the sales team, back row centre), a two-time Olympic medalist in rowing (silver in 2004 and gold in 2008), talked about teamwork and the importance of collaboration and playing to strengths. “No one deserves to be the best,” he told us, “you earn it.” Huh? So much for my afternoon presentation. Jake’s account of his athletic triumphs left us feeling humbled and inspired, and contributed to a spirited final exercise in which groups were assigned the task of increasing revenues by 20% in three months. No sweat.
That night, we got to let loose and enjoy the summer-like weather over a barbecue in owner John Evans’ Point Grey home. Afterward, the Vancouver group reinforced its city’s sedate reputation by retiring early, whereas the Montreal group reinforced its reputation for joie de vivre by hitting the town. Now that’s what I call playing to strengths.
Wow! What a tremendous meeting that must have been! And to have Daniel Edward Craig facilitate, and Wetzel there to motivate, it’s easy to imagine how mountains were moved that day!
Your team looks incredibly happy – I’m sure that rubs off on everyone in the hotel, guests and staff alike.
Respect, empowerment and innovation – how can you beat that (without a great deal of caffeine?)
Thanks for sharing some of the inner core of your fabulous hotels.
Thanks for your great comments, Diana. Admittedly, the smiles were partly fueled by overcaffeination. Being able to caress those Olympic medals didn’t hurt either
DEC
Wow! What a tremendous meeting that must have been! And to have Daniel Edward Craig facilitate, and Wetzel there to motivate, it’s easy to imagine how mountains were moved that day!
Your team looks incredibly happy – I’m sure that rubs off on everyone in the hotel, guests and staff alike.
Respect, empowerment and innovation – how can you beat that (without a great deal of caffeine?)
Thanks for sharing some of the inner core of your fabulous hotels.
Thanks for your great comments, Diana. Admittedly, the smiles were partly fueled by overcaffeination. Being able to caress those Olympic medals didn’t hurt either
DEC
Excellent Quote from Jake to difuse the concept of entitlement or how to become the best.
I agree that everyone and organizations must put in the effort to earn their position in what every genre it may be. You can not just put down in writing or annoint yourself the best, no one just gives you that stamp of approval or stardom. You must walk the walk, but to get there, like Jake said, you must “earn it” through sustained hard work and in business especially, a customer-centric philosophy. But also, one must not rest on their laurels when you feel you have achieved your short term or long term goals.
Most often you have to work even harder when you are, or perceived to be the best because now you have to continue to live up to yours, your industry’s and most important, your customers’ lofty standards. That said, you also become a target and a motivator for others to emulate and surpass the standard or success you have achieved.
Kudos to Mr. Craig and his team for their support of Olympians such as Jake Wetzel and recognizing and applying Jake’s words of wisdom. This is where success starts. – Seems to me that Opus had an inkling of all this already!
Greg Edgelow
1992 Olympian
Excellent Quote from Jake to difuse the concept of entitlement or how to become the best.
I agree that everyone and organizations must put in the effort to earn their position in what every genre it may be. You can not just put down in writing or annoint yourself the best, no one just gives you that stamp of approval or stardom. You must walk the walk, but to get there, like Jake said, you must “earn it” through sustained hard work and in business especially, a customer-centric philosophy. But also, one must not rest on their laurels when you feel you have achieved your short term or long term goals.
Most often you have to work even harder when you are, or perceived to be the best because now you have to continue to live up to yours, your industry’s and most important, your customers’ lofty standards. That said, you also become a target and a motivator for others to emulate and surpass the standard or success you have achieved.
Kudos to Mr. Craig and his team for their support of Olympians such as Jake Wetzel and recognizing and applying Jake’s words of wisdom. This is where success starts. – Seems to me that Opus had an inkling of all this already!
Greg Edgelow
1992 Olympian
Thanks for your comments, Greg. It’s great to hear inspiring thoughts from another Canadian Olympian!
Thanks for your comments, Greg. It’s great to hear inspiring thoughts from another Canadian Olympian!