Significant Career Lesson From a Sales and Marketing Director at Santa Monica Proper Hotel
Erin, a Director of Sales and Marketing, emphasizes the importance of reputation in the close-knit hospitality industry, stating that "your reputation matters" greatly impacting career trajectory. This positive reputation, cultivated through consistent professionalism and strong interactions, has opened doors and led to new opportunities throughout their career.
Networking, Reputation Management, Professionalism, Career Advancement, Industry Connections
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Erin Bennett
Director of Sales and Marketing
Santa Monica Proper Hotel
Boston University 2008
UCLA EMBA 2023 (expected graduation June 2023)
Hospitality Administration
Hospitality, Restaurants & Events
Sales and Client Management
Took Out Loans, Greek Life Member
Video Highlights
1. Your reputation matters greatly in a small industry like hospitality. How you interact with clients, peers, and even competitors impacts your future opportunities.
2. Networking is crucial for career advancement. Maintaining strong relationships can lead to unexpected job prospects.
3. A positive reputation can open doors to new opportunities and even lead to jobs finding you, rather than the other way around. Hard work in maintaining this reputation is key.
Transcript
What is one lesson that you have learned that has proven significant in your career?
The industry is very small. Your network will know you for a very long time.
It's even in LA; I constantly run into people who I've worked with or know someone I've worked with. So, your reputation matters: how you show up every day at work, how you interact with your clients, how you interact with your peers, how you interact with your competitors.
It all matters because your reputation will follow you. Thankfully, I have a very good one, but I've worked very hard to maintain that. It helps open up doors for me and gets me jobs when I'm looking, or jobs will find me when I'm not looking.