Product Description

Now an insider takes you inside the incredible Disney service culture and presents simple, powerful concepts in a fun, memorable way.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #14510 in Books
• Published on: 1997-04-25
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 160 pages

From Booklist
Those who worry that corporations have become excessively big and powerful must still admit that firms such as McDonald's, Wal-Mart, and Disney have got at least one thing right. They know how to keep the customer satisfied and coming back for more! Connellan, a senior principal in a consulting firm specializing in customer loyalty and coauthor of Sustaining Knock Your Socks Off Service (1993), holds up Disney in particular as exemplary. Here he re-creates a fictional visit to Disney's Magic Kingdom to bring to life examples of the customer service concepts Disney practices. Connellan was neither encouraged nor authorized by Disney management to write this book, but he did attend a Disney University seminar in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, to learn more about the "Disney approach to leadership, people management, [and] service quality." David Rouse

From the Inside Flap
Disney is recognized and admired around the world. The company's remarkable success comes from its ability to keep customers coming back again and again. Almost 70 percent of Magic Kingdom guests are return visitors.

Now, the principles that drive the culture and phenomenal success of Disney are disclosed in this fun, easy-to-read book. Based on interviews and discussions with past and present Disney employees, it reveals seven key lessons that can be applied in any company and provides powerful examples that will help employees at any level become more customer focused. You'll learn:

How Disney creates and sustains one of the most powerful corporate cultures ever
Whos the real competition for Disney and your company
How to get all employees to understand and believe that they play an important role
The type of feedback that is even more damaging than punishment and how to avoid this common trap
The special way Disney cast members learn teamwork and how you can put that into practice at your company

You'll also learn many insider secrets that will make you a hero to your children and a fun traveling companion on your next trip to the Magic Kingdom!

Some of the lessons youll take from Disney's powerful customer service culture include:

--How to track customer satisfaction like Tinkerbell and get real-time data and high response rates (page 70)
--How to use powerful methods like Disney's "Guest Service Fanatic" cards and the "Spirit of Disney Award" to recognize, celebrate, and reward quality work (pages 87 and 90)
--How to best respond to a question like "What time does the 3:00 parade start?" (page 126)
--How to model your selection and training on such successful programs as "Traditions," "Wish upon a Star," and "We've Come a Long Way, Mickey" (page 139)
--How to create a feeling of partnership with outside vendors so they become part of your team (page 163)

From the Back Cover
The only business book ever written that will make you a hero to your kids!

"This is not only a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at what makes the Magic Kingdom tick, but the lessons can be applied to enhance the success of any company."
- Larry King

"Thumbs up! A fast-paced book that forces you to look closely at how you do business. Whether you're with a Fortune 1000 company or a home-based office, it will help set you apart. Lesson 7 alone makes it a high-payoff investment."
- J.W. "Bill" Marriott, Jr., chairman of the board, Marriott International, Inc.

"A powerful book! Shows how all businesses can retain customer loyalty. Tom's unique approach reveals thought-provoking ideas to keep your customers coming back. I highly recommend that you read it today."
- Kathy L. Anderson, partner, KPMG Peat Marwick LLP END

Customer Reviews

What makes the Magic Kingdom Magic!
Tom Connellan does an excellent job of explaining what makes the Magic Kingdom Magic by distilling the ingredients of Disney's success into seven powerful lessons. They are:

Lesson 1: The competition is anyone the customer compares you with
Lesson 2: Pay fantastic attention to detail
Lesson 3: Everyone walks the talk
Lesson 4: Everything walks the talk
Lesson 5: Customers are best heard through many ears
Lesson 6: Reward recognize and celebrate
Lesson 7: Xuxryonx makxs the diffxrxncx (exchange E for X)

In the beginning of the book Connellan states: "This book is about how to take yourself, your team, and your company to the next level of customer satisfaction. One of the best ways to do that is with a good business model. And Disney is one of the best models there is--especially the magic kingdom." He delivers with the contents of the book. Simple to read but extremely powerful, the concepts in this book can be applied to almost any business...especially service organizations.

The Re-Discovery of Common Sense: A Guide to: The Lost Art of Critical Thinking

Informative
I thought the book was an easy read. Very informative. I have been to Disney with my children about eight times and I learned so much from the book that it makes me want to go again. Was just there last summer with my daughter & grandson. Disney is a place that you just keep wanting to go. (Actually going next year and will check out the things I learned in the book).

Above and Beyond in a simple format
This book gives a breakdown of how Disney values Customer Service,as well as the culture they have created. It gives a great insight, on how other companies can apply similar traits towards their own companies, no matter what field it lies in. These simple traits go 'above and beyond' expectations, which will give your business a higher return, and image.

I highly recommend this book to anyone fascinated with the business world, students, as well as working individuals.