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AmCham Plus Club - William Boulton-Smith

Interview with William Boulton-Smith, General Manager of the Marriott Hotel Prague and a new member of AmCham Plus Club.

1) What AmCham activities you never forget to put in your calendar?

I always try and make the GM breakfasts, I like to meet with the business leaders in their fields and hear how their businesses are expanding or moving forward. It is key to understand their views on the market and what they see coming their way.

2) What topics/activities would you like to see in AmCham calendar?

Tourism is a huge segment within the Czech Economy, I would like to see the Chamber bring together leaders from all aspects of the Industry and to drive a plan to get Governmental change and investment. This would include other chambers in order to get more attention.

3) Could you name your 5 top books that influenced the way you live, work and behave?

Steve Jobs- the biography, Richard Branson -The Virgin Way & Losing my Virginity, Alan Sugar’s What you see is what you get, Duncan Bannatyne’s Anyone can do it, Margaret Thatcher’s The Downing street years.

In all these books however different they are, they are also have fairly similar point to make, in that anyone can do it. Work hard, take calculated risks and don’t accept being told that it’s not possible or something can’t be done, there is always a way. Don’t be afraid to fail, the only real way to enjoy success is to have failed before, dare to be different, have the courage of your convictions and be prepared to challenge authority. Overall understand that change will happen, the question is how much can you instigate this and shape it to your advantage. Finally that you are only constrained by your ability to dream and create. 

4) What professional skills and personal qualities you value the most at your colleagues/employees?

In the hospitality business those that stand out are, have courage and are brave, are honest, highly committed and flexible, well organized, have a creative streak, be able to communicate well, have a strong leadership style and an intense sense of humor. Working in a hotel is not about selling beds or food and beverage, it is about helping people create positive life experiences and memories that they will cherish forever.  When buying a TV or a car and it doesn’t work you replace it, when you stay in a hotel or have a meal if it’s not right it cannot be replaced or fixed the memory is imprinted and is there forever. 

5) What are the main goals of your business in the near future?

Our goal for the next 6 months is to promote and educate our market to the fact that we have completely new rooms and to ensure that everyone knows about it. To continue to be innovative around our Food and Beverage program to attract a stronger local following and bring more fun to the hotel. Thus creating an environment where guests which to come and stay and on the other side where the emerging Czech youth wish to work and develop their careers.

About the AmCham Plus Club:

Strong communities are built by the efforts of those people who can balance self-interest with public good. The AmCham Plus Club was created to acknowledge such people, and the good deeds they have done for all of us. Members of the Plus Club receive a lapel button that they are asked to wear to remind each of us that the health of our society does not begin in the prime minister’s office, but in the actions of every one of us each day. We are grateful to those individuals who received their pin this year, and we look forward to the day when our entire country bears one on their breast.