Ryland Homes thought Jamaal Grier had a future and the question was: where?
So he went into the management training program and today he’s found a home in the marketing department.
“The purpose of the program is to produce a well-rounded management team with diverse backgrounds,” he said. “Having experience in different areas of the business including production, customer service, sales, marketing and land acquisition gives insight that some specialized managers may not have and would theoretically result in better decision-making for the company.”
Grier obviously has the education for almost any position: he earned a bachelor’s degree in business management from Brown University in 2004 and is currently pursuing his master’s degree in business administration from University of Florida.
He started with Ryland Homes three years ago and has been in the marketing area for a year and a half.
“After completing my rotations, marketing seemed to be the best fit for me,” he said. “Plus, I was good at it.”
Changing times bring new challenges and fresh ideas are welcomed.
“Most notably would be creating strategic alliances,” he said. “For example, when planning an event in communities where there are several builders, I would first contact the other builders to see if they would like to be a part of the event.
“This way the community itself benefits and the contribution to the event is split resulting in a lessened expense to our respective marketing budgets.”
The best advice he’s ever received?
“Be yourself. It’s more fun that way. Also, excuses are like belly buttons. Everyone has one, but they are useless.”
- by Michele Newbern Gillis