Name: Cemal A.
Position: General Manager
Hotel: Courtyard Greenville Haywood Mall
Dream destination: Italy and Spain
Drink or treat of choice: Crème Brûlée

One of Cemal A.’s favorite moments in his day as General Manager of the Courtyard Greenville Haywood Mall is the brief daily huddle he has with his team every morning.

“It’s an informal time for us to connect and share milestones, accomplishments, and recognize one another,” says Cemal.

Stand Up, as it’s also commonly referred to, is a staple of Marriott hotel associates — many of whom also admit it’s the best part of the workday, due to the emphasis on recognition and support. An informal, joyous spirit is typical of these huddles, which is indicative of the value Marriott places on its people.

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“One of my favorite quotes from Mr. Marriott is ‘take good care of your employees, and they’ll take good care of your customers, and the customers will come back,’” says Cemal, in reference to one of the company’s core values: Put People First. In his role, Cemal is responsible for all operations of the hotel, which include showing visitors the warm Marriott hospitality.

“I love speaking with our guests and helping them to feel welcome,” says Cemal, who served as the Assistant General Manager of the Residence Inn Washington, DC Downtown — a Marriott location just steps from the White House — before taking on top job at the South Carolina hotel.

So, what does work look like for a Marriott General Manager? Get a glimpse into Cemal’s typical day, in his own words, below.

Who do you see first when you start your day?

My wife, our three children (12, 9 & 8) and our dog Allie.

How does your workday start?

I start my day by walking the property and touching base with the team.

Every morning we have a brief daily huddle, and it’s one of my favorite moments. It’s an informal time for us to connect and share milestones, accomplishments, and recognize one another.

What does your lunch break look like?

Sometimes I need to work through my lunches; however I am intentional about taking someone from my team to coffee or lunch at least once a week.

What’s communication like with your manager or leadership?

My leadership is very approachable, we have open communication and a collaborative atmosphere.

How does your day end?

I always end my day by walking the property and thanking the team for their hard work and encouraging them.

What’s your favorite moment of the day?

I love speaking with our guests and helping them to feel welcome, and another favorite moment is when I read a guest review that acknowledges the efforts of our team.

How have you used the Marriott Explore Rate?

My family and I went to the Bahamas last year.

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